Posting on social media can get you in trouble

The warning was actually a re-run message after many recent cases of people who got into trouble because of their use of the media.

A man posted pictures of a police officer in plainclothes wearing a police helmet near the boot of a car parked in a ‘No Parking’ area and accused the officer of abusing his power beyond his duty hours.

The officer and his supervisor clarified later that the officer was actually removing a wheel clamp from the man’s car after he had paid a fine. His shift was over and he was going home but he did not want the car owner to wait too long for another officer. So he decided to go and remove the clamp although he had changed his clothes. However, he wore the helmet with his police identification number. 

Despite an apology, the police officer decided to sue the man for violation of the Computer Crime Act for fabricating the story and defaming him. 

Mana Treelayapewat, a journalism lecturer, commented on Facebook: “Is this an example of ‘Rashomon in the digital Age?’ What is false, what is the truth?”

Nanthasit Nitmetha wrote: “This is the time where everybody has the media in their hands, but not so that they can make up stories or accuse anyone.” 

@JesJueJang wrote on Twitter: “The man violated the No Parking sign and still used many excuses. Shame on him.”

On kapook.com’s web-board, users argued who deserved to be blamed. 

Ton Hate posted: “People quarrelled because of the media. They did not verify the news properly before publicising it. People then have different opinions.”

Oho replied: “Don’t just blame the media. Don’t you have any consideration of your own?”

HeHeHe wrote: “Stories posted on Facebook have lower credibility. Unless you have a point to make, just stay still and don’t get yourself in trouble by posting.”

Late last month, foreign and Thai media outlets reported on a video clip purportedly showed three Leicester City footballers engaging in sex acts with three Thai girls while calling them racially derogatory terms during their tour in Thailand.

Thousands of Thai Web users took to social media to voice their displeasure over the video, the football club and the club’s Thai owners – King Power International Group.

Leicester City issued a statement that the three players were being sent home ahead of the rest of the team and an investigation was being conducted. It said the players had apologised and the club would take the incident seriously. 

Leicester Thailand Fan Club page publicised the statement. However, almost a week after the incident, some Facebook followers were still posting comments about the players’ conduct. 

Trok Khaosan TrokKhaosan: “I no longer support this team. What the three players did was so depressing. I will no longer buy the clothing, souvenirs or buy anything at any King Power shop unless there is clear and quicker punishment. I am really sorry to see Thai women insulted.”

Chiranan Toey: “That’s it. No more support for this team.”

Jrchai Techa: “I still keep supporting the team. But there must be proper investigation and punishment.”

Earlier, a young woman had to rush and turn herself in to police after she posted a picture of a police ticket on Facebook with the caption that she had failed an alcohol test, recording 90mg per cent of alcohol, which exceeded the 50mg per cent limit. She could have been jailed but luckily, with some strong backing, she was released after receiving a ticket for only a Bt500 fine for driving without licence. 

Netizens condemned her and accused the police that issued the ticket of malfeasance. The police said that the woman did not take any alcohol test. Finally she reported to the police station and apologised for her post. A few people really know whether she took an alcohol test, but she has learnt an important lesson about social media use already: be very careful.