The music giant has found itself at the center of a scandal after a social media post perceived as an insult to judges at Thailand’s Constitutional Court.
Warner Music Thailand has been embroiled in a scandal after a post on its Facebook page* that users perceived as insulting the judges of Thailand’s Constitutional Court. According to The Nation Thailand, the incident occurred shortly after the ruling to dissolve the Move Forward Party.
On Friday, Warner Music Thailand’s official Facebook page* posted a post promoting a new song by Thai artist Charli XCX called “Apple.” However, instead of photos of the artist, the post featured images of nine Constitutional Court judges reading a verdict to dissolve the Forward Movement Party.
The post contained an edited photo in which the judges’ faces were replaced with images of apples, with the caption in Thai and English in the middle: “I think the apple is rotten to the core.” The photo also hid images of Kings Rama IX and Rama X and the court’s logo.
The publication sparked a storm of outrage among Thai social media users. Many accused Warner Music Thailand of contempt of court and warned of possible legal consequences. According to Article 198 of Thailand’s Penal Code, insulting presiding judges can result in a prison sentence of one to seven years and a fine of 20,000 to 140,000 baht (approximately $560 to $3,900).
The controversial post was removed on Saturday, but Warner Music Thailand has yet to issue an official statement. Some users have expressed bewilderment at the company’s lack of apology and even suggested the possibility of foreign intervention to discredit the Thai court.
The incident underscores the growing tensions in Thai society following the recent Constitutional Court decision to dissolve the opposition Forward Movement Party, which has caused widespread backlash in the country. The situation also demonstrates the potential risks to international companies operating in Thailand in terms of sensitivity to political issues and respect for the country’s judicial system.
Read More Articles Here
Read More Articles Here
