BANGKOK – Progressive online newspaper Prachatai found itself in legal trouble once again this week as its film reviewer Tasawan Sapsukyen was arrested by officers of the DSI for apparently giving a mildly enthusiastic review to, “My Best Bodyguard.”
The Thai action-adventure film starring HRH Ubolratana Rajakanya has received rave four-star reviews from all major Thai newspapers and news websites, with Prachatai the lone exception.
While Tasawan praised the Shawn Yue-directed movie as “having interesting twists” and “offering a timely take on the threats of a supervirus,” she notably failed to single out HRH Ubolratana’s acting performance for individual praise, which is a violation of the new Computer Crimes Act Code 4.
Code 4, Paragraph 2, specifically mandates that any review or published description of an event, organization, or artistic entity that features a member of the Royal Family must include a specific paragraph of not less than two sentences or 30 words “offering directed and humble admiration for the action, participation, or endorsement of the Royal Family member.”
Tasawan is being held at DSI headquarters awaiting a bail hearing. The film section of Prachatai, already blocked by the MICT as part of a general block of Prachatai, is now blocked even more.
According to a DSI spokesperson, Tasawan may face further charges for calling the film “predictable.”
