A model is facing five years in prison for taking ‘upskirt’ pictures at a royal monument in Thailand.
Pim Apatsara, 22, sparked fury when she posed in revealing clothing in front of the King Rama I statue in Buriram province on March 24.
In the pictures, she was dressed in a short brown skirt with striped underwear and a red top. The revered statue was in the background with the model captioning the image: ‘Please visit my city’.
After posting the pictures, angry locals – fiercely protective of the country’s royal history – called the police.
Pim later posted a picture of herself paying respect to the statue to apologize, saying that she wanted people to visit the city with the photo featuring the landmark, unaware of people’s beliefs.
Police Major General Rutthaphol Naowarat, commander of Buriram Provincial Police, ordered the search for Pim and summoned her to the region’s top police station on March 25.
Pim admitted that she took a photograph and shared it herself, not intentionally to tarnish the province’s image.
She said: “Shortly after posting the pictures on my social media account, I received severe criticism from people. Some of them were targeting my parents, which was unacceptable, as I didn’t know that what I did was not a crime.”
“I did not think carefully about what I did. I have apologized and warned others to be aware when posting something involving people’s beliefs and feelings.”
Pim explained that she normally dressed like this and felt that she wanted to promote her city with the landscape of the landmark, prompting her to take the photos.
Police Colonel Chamras Sirileang, superintendent of Mueang Buriram Police Station, said the young woman had been charged with ‘importing pornography into the computer system’.
The officer said: “After the photos were seen online, the investigation team identified the user. It was found that her behavior had affected the respect and beliefs of residents, causing great anger.”
“Therefore, she was summoned for interrogation and admitted to all charges of importing pornography into the computer system, with a jail sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to 100,000 baht ($4000), or both, and public obscenity, with a fine of up to 500 baht ($20).
“She was handed over to the prosecution case officer for further legal action.”
Thais are notoriously subservient to their monarchy and its history. A rigidly enforced Lese Majeste law prevents anyone from criticizing or offending the royal family.
