PUBLISHED : 22 Dec 2023 at 04:00
Social media influencer Aniwat Prathumthin, also known as Nara Crepe Katoey, was acquitted of lese majeste and computer crimes charges by the Criminal Court yesterday.
The court determined that her skit for a major e-commerce platform did not constitute an insult to the royal family.
In its ruling yesterday, the court said the skit — which the 24-year-old influencer made for Lazada’s 5.5 campaign in 2022 — could not be considered an insult to the royal family, noting the skit did not feature any of the royal symbols outlined by Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
The skit in question showed Aniwat, who was dressed in a Thai traditional costume, joking with actor Thidarat Chaokuwiang, who was portrayed sitting in a wheelchair.
Royalists say the skit mocked disabled people and certain members of the royal family, prompting the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) to file a report against all parties who were behind the controversial advertisement.
The court also found Aniwat not guilty of entering false information into a computer system, saying its decision on the lese majeste complaint meant the influencer did not upload restricted material online.
Aniwat was also found not guilty of providing false information in an advertisement under the Consumer Protection Act and Direct Sale and Direct Marketing Act.
She said she was relieved by the verdicts.
Her lawyer, Khajornsak Ueasrisakul, said that the court’s ruling was a good sign although the prosecution is planning to appeal the rulings.
Despite the acquittals, the social media influencer has to remain in prison because she has another court trial pending concerning a fraud case, said Mr Khajornsak.