Police Ban Distribution Of Controversial Image Of Bhutan Crown Prince

[george]

Police ban distribution of controversial image of Bhutan crown prince

BANGKOK: -- Anti-cyber-crime police are calling for a halt to distribution of an image of Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan flanked by a provocatively dressed woman among email users or on websites throughout the Kingdom.

Police are currently trying to determine whether the image is real or doctored.

Police Colonel Yannaphol Yangyuen said the authorities would determine who first released the image within the next few days.

The officer said it had not been determined whether the image had been doctored, but he personally thought it was probably authentic.

The image was first seen when posted on popular community website www.pantip.com under a thread entitled "Crown Prince Jigme's girlfriend, from the Bhutan paparazzi" at about 5pm last Friday.

He said the website had since removed the image and insisted it had not been posted on any other threads.

Yannaphol, head of the Information Technology Division under the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said the individual would face criminal charges of libel if the image was found to have been doctored.

"Please stop distributing the image, or you risk facing criminal charges. Actions are being taken without any formal requests that might possibly be made by Bhutan," he said.

--The Nation 2006-06-28

[Scott]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

[stumonster]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

I think the lese majesty laws in thailand apply to every royal family in the world

[The Dan Sai Kid]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

I think the lese majesty laws in thailand apply to every royal family in the world

Why did the Thai OK magazine publish a photo of someone in a QE2 mask, also sporting a fat lady bodysuit in ladies underwear then?

[stumonster]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

I think the lese majesty laws in thailand apply to every royal family in the world

Why did the Thai OK magazine publish a photo of someone in a QE2 mask, also sporting a fat lady bodysuit in ladies underwear then?

answering that question with my opinion would result in a warning and post deletion. ok.

Edited June 28, 2006 by stumonster

[Jai Dee]

Why did the Thai OK magazine publish a photo of someone in a QE2 mask, also sporting a fat lady bodysuit in ladies underwear then?

[lomatopo]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

I think the lese majesty laws in thailand apply to every royal family in the world

Do you know if this is accurate? My guess is that it is not, and the Thailand's Lese Majeste Law(s) apply only to the Thai Monarch and Royal Family.

In any event, Lese Majeste charges would have to be filed against an individual(s). Unless the photograph(s) is potentially unlawful (pornographic, for example), it would be difficult to determine what criminal charges might apply, and against whom they might be filed?

The article seems to indicate that if the photograph has been 'photoshopped' ("doctored") then criminal charges might be filed, presumably under the 'libel' umbrella, but the inferrance is that if it has not been doctored then no criminal charges would be filed, but that it should still not be posted anywhere.

[h90]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

I think the lese majesty laws in thailand apply to every royal family in the world

I don't think so, if it applys to every royal family, Thai prison must be full of british/australian tourists, who were joking about their Queen.

[Phil Conners]

What amaze me most is the amount of time and dedication that seems to be put into these completely irrelevant issues while real crimes are usually left unsolved.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Why did the Thai OK magazine publish a photo of someone in a QE2 mask, also sporting a fat lady bodysuit in ladies underwear then?

I didn't think I was off topic - only that why is there such a rush to do something for the Bhutanese(?) royal family, whereas if it's a bit further afield then it doesn't matter.

If you still think I am off topic then,

[Jai Dee]

DSI sweeps into action over Jigme photograph

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced yesterday that it will take legal action against anyone distributing the controversial photograph of Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and a mysterious woman over the internet.

At a seminar on internet crimes yesterday, Pol Col Yanpol Yangyuen, the director of DSI’s information and technology crime division, said that the picture was first posted on the popular website www.pantip.com.

Since then, it has been published in many daily newspapers. DSI is now investigating the source of the image which, it believes, has been digitally altered.

The DSI officer also expressed disapproval over the distribution of the picture, saying that it was inappropriate as the Bhutanese love and respect their royal family as much as Thais do theirs.

“I would like to urge the public, especially people who are intending to redistribute the photo, to be considerate of the feelings of the Bhutanese people. If they persist in distributing the image, DSI has the right to press charges against them, without having to wait to be contacted by the Bhutanese government,” he said.

He admitted that internet crimes are among the division’s most pressing worries. Fake pictures and rumors are always being posted on the worldwide web, but some internet surfers are unable to differentiate between the real and the fake, and it is hard to identify the senders. Moreover, Thai law is slower than technology and the bill on internet crime suppression has yet to be passed by the House. He conceded that, even if DSI can track down the computers used to distribute the image, taking legal action against the perpetrators is difficult.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon urged the media to understand the delicacy of the issue before publishing the photograph, as it might affect the harmonious relations between Thailand and Bhutan.

Source: ThaiDay - 28 June 2006

[lomatopo]

I don't think I've been able to find the photo in question. Was it supposedly taken during his recent visit to Thailand?

I did find one with him and a very cute Asian girl with her head on his shoulder. Looks like a hilly/mountaineous region, with a laundry line in the background. The girl has long, pink earrings. They both look happy, nothing provocative. Can't tell if it's real. Found it on a Thai message board website.

Doubt this is the one?

[astral]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

I think the lese majesty laws in thailand apply to every royal family in the world

I don't think so, if it applys to every royal family, Thai prison must be full of british/australian tourists, who were joking about their Queen.

There are two sections on Lese Majeste in the Thai Criminal code.

The first applies to the Thai Royal family and is rigorously enforced.

The second applies to foreign Royal Families and is rarely, if ever, enforced.

I wonder why there is this sudden urge to protect the Bhutan Royal family?

[h90]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

I think the lese majesty laws in thailand apply to every royal family in the world

I don't think so, if it applys to every royal family, Thai prison must be full of british/australian tourists, who were joking about their Queen.

There are two sections on Lese Majeste in the Thai Criminal code.

The first applies to the Thai Royal family and is rigorously enforced.

The second applies to foreign Royal Families and is rarely, if ever, enforced.

I wonder why there is this sudden urge to protect the Bhutan Royal family?

I got told that my grandmums mother got born as child of one royal (Austria) and his cleaning woman (which royal is unknown, but we still own the land which she got for keep it secret).

Now I get a lot insulted by my wife when I drink to much

Where can I apply for protection under the Lese Majeste for foreign royals?

[yeti]

I wonder why there is this sudden urge to protect the Bhutan Royal family?

Because Thai girls have been sending each other pictures of the Bhutan prince, because he is so cuuuuuuuute

And it is presented in a way that would be found very disrespectul if it was a Thai prince on the picture. So I guess they are worried that Bhutanese people might be offended.

But the demand for visa to Bhutan has increased (u can find the article about this somewhere on thaivisa) so it's not all bad...

[chuang]

I am interested in knowing what law they are breaking. It's my understanding there was no complaint by the Bhutan Royal Family or government.

it's just a mark of respect and courtesy for the Bhutan Royal Family and Government...

[Jai Dee]

I don't think I've been able to find the photo in question. Was it supposedly taken during his recent visit to Thailand?

I did find one with him and a very cute Asian girl with her head on his shoulder. Looks like a hilly/mountaineous region, with a laundry line in the background. The girl has long, pink earrings. They both look happy, nothing provocative. Can't tell if it's real. Found it on a Thai message board website.

Doubt this is the one?

If you do find it, please do not post it (nor a link to it) on ThaiVisa.

As per the news bulletins, the DSI will take legal action against anyone distributing the controversial photograph.

[meadish_sweetball]

I wonder why there is this sudden urge to protect the Bhutan Royal family?

Because Thai girls have been sending each other pictures of the Bhutan prince, because he is so cuuuuuuuute

And it is presented in a way that would be found very disrespectul if it was a Thai prince on the picture. So I guess they are worried that Bhutanese people might be offended.

But the demand for visa to Bhutan has increased (u can find the article about this somewhere on thaivisa) so it's not all bad...

I think you've got it all in one, Yeti. Self-censorship applies when in doubt. It makes sense to be extra careful concerning royalty in countries who are more likely to take offense.

[lomatopo]

I don't think I've been able to find the photo in question. Was it supposedly taken during his recent visit to Thailand?

I did find one with him and a very cute Asian girl with her head on his shoulder. Looks like a hilly/mountaineous region, with a laundry line in the background. The girl has long, pink earrings. They both look happy, nothing provocative. Can't tell if it's real. Found it on a Thai message board website.

Doubt this is the one?

If you do find it, please do not post it (nor a link to it) on ThaiVisa.

As per the news bulletins, the DSI will take legal action against anyone distributing the controversial photograph.

Of course I would never post the photo or a link to it given the sensitive nature of this subject.

I guess the photo I found is the one? Maybe it was cropped bit? A head/shoulders shot. The girl is Thai.

[chownah]

My wife says she saw the photo in a newpaper. She say that there were about four people in the photo and one was the prince and one was a woman wearing a sort of wrap around garment like a woman might wear to the beach and maybe for some Thai people it was a bit immodest but for anyone who goes to the beach it was nothing. She says she'll get a copy for me to see.....she talks like its nothing at all.

Edited June 28, 2006 by chownah

[lomatopo]

My wife says she saw the photo in a newpaper. She say that there were about four people in the photo and one was the prince and one was a woman wearing a sort of wrap around garment like a woman might wear to the beach and maybe for some Thai people it was a bit immodest but for anyone who goes to the beach it was nothing. She says she'll get a copy for me to see.....she talks like its nothing at all.

My friend (looking at the picture and associated Thai text) said it was Phuket (even though it looks like a forest and hills in the background; I've never been to Phuket), and yes, the girl's shoulders are bare so some sort wrap seems likely? As I said, the photo I found was probably cropped to be less provocative? The Crown Prince is wearing his traditional garment.

[veteran]

TIT:

[chownah]

My wife says she saw the photo in a newpaper. She say that there were about four people in the photo and one was the prince and one was a woman wearing a sort of wrap around garment like a woman might wear to the beach and maybe for some Thai people it was a bit immodest but for anyone who goes to the beach it was nothing. She says she'll get a copy for me to see.....she talks like its nothing at all.

I saw the picture and doubt that it is the right one. The prince is in the foreground and in the near background to one side is an attractive woman dressed in a very tasteful and stylish sort of wrap around dress with a high neck line (tied around the neck) and her knees barely showing...no accentuation of the breast or anything exciting like that.....she's not even walking next to the prince....but....my wife says that the new newspaper shows another picture which she says people are discussing whether its been faked or not with some woman shown next to the prince....anyway she says she'll get a copy for me tomorrow when people are through reading it. This means that if you go out to a news stand right now you can probably get a copy for yourself.

[Siripon]

The Thai Rath newspaper claimed a week or two ago that the prince has a girlfriend at ABAC university and that she's from Bhutan.

[CL0R0X]

he was a guest of the king of Thailand, making fun of him is making a bad name for Thailand.

[ratcatcher]

he was a guest of the king of Thailand, making fun of him is making a bad name for Thailand.

I don't really think many Thai people would be making fun of The Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, one of the most photogenic and charming personalities to have graced Thailand with his presence at the King's celebrations.

His dignified manner, charming style and deportment would all lead Thai people and foreigners alike to have had the greatest respect for this man who comes from one of the remotest and least commercialized countries on earth. He is a credit to his lineage and country. Long may he reign.

[chownah]

My wife said that the prince has 4 wives and they are all sisters....is this right?

[Tarragona]

I have yesterday's Thai Rath here and there's a shoulders-up picture of the prince with a young lady. There's nothing inappropriate going on but they look close. The story is that the picture is a fake.

If this is the picture in question, attempting to ban its circulation could be because A) it's been doctored, or B) it's a personal photograph that was not intended for public release.

In case A) I would see no problem in explaining the situation and it would probably fizzle out quite quickly. In case B) Thailand does not tolerate a tabloid approach in royal matters and again I have no problem with that.

Edited June 28, 2006 by Tarragona

[h90]

he was a guest of the king of Thailand, making fun of him is making a bad name for Thailand.

that means we can also not joke about englands queen, north koreas Kim, USAs bush and cubas fidel?

That would be a perfect censorship or?

[Netfan]

My wife said that the prince has 4 wives and they are all sisters....is this right?

His father the King married 4 sisters from one of the most respected families in Bhutan outside of the royal family. The prince is single. The King will turn over the throne to the prince in 2008.