“99% of people on Soi Nana are not good.”
Bloggers beware! Police in Bangkok say a Chinese influencer who posted “negative content” about the capital could face legal action. But they’ve also admitted they’re not sure what form any legal action would look like – given that they acknowledged the woman “has a right to post what she likes about Thailand”.
Phanthana Nutchanart from the Immigration Bureau was referring to a video on TikTok, posted by a Chinese tourist, in which she criticised Bangkok’s Soi Nana as being unsafe for women. The poster has been identified as 28 year old Ziyu Wang, a popular influencer on Chinese social media.
In her video, the Chinese woman tells followers that while standing in Soi Nana at around 11.30pm at night, she was approached by a foreign man.
“A moment ago, that man said to me: ‘How are you today?’ But I could say had he pulled me away, I would not have been able to escape. You, women, if you are here and if you are approached, I can guarantee you won’t be able to escape.”
She goes on to warn women that they should avoid visiting the street alone, as “99% of people on Soi Nana are not good”.
Lumpini Police Station has already sent a report on the case to the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Phanthana says the authorities may summon the woman for questioning.
The immigration database shows that she entered Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport on November 2 and her visa is valid until October 2024.
The hand-wringing from Bangkok police over a ‘critical’ view of the Nana Plaza nightlife puts into question what Thailand’s vloggers, local and foreign, are actually allowed to post. The legal test, in this case, will be whether she was being simply over-dramatic or maliciously libellous.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
