The placard in this photo of a former Miss Universe Thailand winner has been doctored

This article is more than one year old.
Published on November 13, 2020 at 11:52
5 min read
By AFP Thailand

A photo has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows a former Thai beauty pageant winner holding a sign declaring she will refuse to accept any job until Thailand “doesn't have a monarchy”. The posts circulated online after large youth-led pro-democracy protests were staged in Thailand. However, the claim is false; the image has been manipulated to show a doctored placard; the original photo shows the former beauty pageant winner holding a sign promoting justice for everyone.

The image was published here on Facebook on November 9, 2020.

Below is a screenshot of the misleading post:

The photo shows Maria Poonlernlarp, a former winner of the Miss Universe Thailand competition.

The image purports to show her holding a piece of paper that reads: “I refuse to take any jobs…until this country doesn’t have a monarchy.”

The Thai-language post caption translates to English as:

““Maria” if you think like this, you will be unemployed for a long time.”

Several major student-led rallies have been staged in Thailand since July, with protesters calling for the resignation of Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha and rewrite of the military-backed constitution. The movement also demanded reforms to the monarchy, a once-taboo issue in Thailand, AFP reported here.

The image was also shared here, here, here and here alongside a similar claim.

Comments by some Thai Facebook users on the misleading post indicated that they believed the image shows a real placard.

One person commented: “Are you using the money that has the King’s picture on it? Think again.”

Another person wrote: “This is too harsh.”

Below are the screenshot of the comments:

However, the claim is false; this photo has been doctored.

A combined Google reverse image and keyword search found this original photo published by Spring News, a Thai digital television channel on October 17, 2020.

The article’s Thai-language headline reads: “Maria-Wannasingh held protest signs in the middle of Victory Monument intersection”

The photo on Spring News’ website shows Poonlernlarp holding a sign which reads: “#Justice4All.”

Below is a screenshot comparison of the photo in the misleading post (L) and the Spring News photo (R):

AFP also found the original photo shared here on the official Instagram page of Maria Poonlernlarp on October 17, 2020, almost one month before the misleading posts circulated in Thailand.

The post’s caption reads: “There is no victory when injustice is the blood that flows in the victor. In regards to the event yesterday. We come with the hope of peace and love. Justice needs to be served. Our friends must be set free. #Justice4All #FreeOurFriends #ReleaseOurFriends #StopHarassingPeople #WhatsHappeningInThailand”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maria Poonlertlarp (@marialynnehren)

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