A digital television channel faces an online backlash today after it retaliated against an employee for participating in a weekend rally in support of a popular opposition party.
The hashtag #BanMONO29 has been trending since Mono 29 either fired or pressured the employee to resign yesterday after she posted a photo of social media of the weekend rally that drew thousands of protestors to Pathumwan intersection to support the beleaguered Future Forward Party.
“Here we go again with the witch hunt… @Mono29TV how do you people sleep at night? Are you that scared of being responsible for your employee’s political views? So much so that you had to harass her and forced her to quit? Well, guess what, your channel is trash so #BanMono29,” @Steamythaitea tweeted.
Update: Arrest made over ‘inappropriate’ rally photo: minister
Pimchanok Puksuk’s photo of a raising a sign reading “Fuck U Dictatorship” in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre angered some royalists who interpreted it as an insult to the monarchy as a portrait of the late King Bhumibol was visible in the background.
She deactivated her social media accounts on Monday and could not be reached for comment.
The company, Mono Generation Co., Ltd. issued a statement Monday saying she had “voluntarily resigned.”
“A former employee of our company displayed inappropriate behavior, and we are deeply saddened by the incident,” the company said. “The company set up a board to investigate the incident and the employee has voluntarily resigned to show her responsibility. The resignation is effective as of Dec. 16.
The situation came to public attention after Gen. Chulcherm Yugala, a staunch ultraroyalist and online firebrand, gave a supportive shout-out to the company’s decision.
Rise of Skywalk-er: Large crowd rallies in Bangkok for embattled pro-democracy party
“Thank you Mono Group for still having a good conscience, for still respecting the monarchy and King Rama IX, for not feeding your employee who has such disgusting opinions, that has malice toward the beloved king,” the retired general wrote.
His post included a photo of Pimchanok and antagonized her by name.
“You’re still young, you can reform yourself and be a good citizen … Don’t be resentful for having to accept this karma, for being fired, because you did this to yourself,” he added. “You can’t blame anyone.”
In the younger and more progressive online world, netizens were outraged by the incident.
“I like watching movies from this channel, but from now on I won’t. Bye ka,” @Peekybbh04 tweeted.
Saturday’s rally drew the largest crowds since before the 2014 coup to the Pathumwan intersection in response to Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit’s call the day before to “make some noise.”
It came days after the Election Commission forwarded a petition to the courts that would see the party disbanded. His party, which has promised to abolish conscription and write military power out of the constitution, threatens the status quo.
After the new party made a strong third-place showing in the March election, Thanathorn was disqualified from sitting in parliament on grounds his supporters say were politically motivated.
