Miss Thapanee prostrated before the portrait of ex-King Sihanouk at the Cambodian Royal Palace after she misstepped on his photo.
(Bangkok-(The Nation/ANN)) - Channel 3 yesterday apologised to
Cambodians after its reporter appeared to have stepped on a picture of
Cambodia's recently deceased former king Norodom Sihanouk.
Cambodian social media have been awash with the image of black-clad reporter Thapanee Ietsrichai appearing to put her right foot on a sheet of paper on the ground that carried King Sihanouk's picture. She was reporting in Phnom Penh on the preparations for the funeral of the ex-monarch, who died on Monday in Beijing.
Thapanee also expressed regret for the incident yesterday and said she would submit a written apology to the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.
The television station issued a statement, expressing "deep regret" for what happened.
"Channel 3 would like to request for pardon from the Cambodian royal family and for forgiveness from the government and people of Cambodia. We hope this incident will not affect the relations between the two countries," the statement said.
Thapanee had no intention of being disrespectful to the Cambodian monarchy, Channel 3 said, adding that the reporter did not step on the picture of Sihanouk's face.
In the photo on social-media websites, Thapanee is facing away from the camera, and it appears that her right foot is touching the edge of the piece of paper with Sihanouk's portrait on it. Channel 3 said the king's picture was on the ground "sufficiently away from her" but the angle made it look closer than it actually was.
Cambodian social media have been awash with the image of black-clad reporter Thapanee Ietsrichai appearing to put her right foot on a sheet of paper on the ground that carried King Sihanouk's picture. She was reporting in Phnom Penh on the preparations for the funeral of the ex-monarch, who died on Monday in Beijing.
Thapanee also expressed regret for the incident yesterday and said she would submit a written apology to the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.
The television station issued a statement, expressing "deep regret" for what happened.
"Channel 3 would like to request for pardon from the Cambodian royal family and for forgiveness from the government and people of Cambodia. We hope this incident will not affect the relations between the two countries," the statement said.
Thapanee had no intention of being disrespectful to the Cambodian monarchy, Channel 3 said, adding that the reporter did not step on the picture of Sihanouk's face.
In the photo on social-media websites, Thapanee is facing away from the camera, and it appears that her right foot is touching the edge of the piece of paper with Sihanouk's portrait on it. Channel 3 said the king's picture was on the ground "sufficiently away from her" but the angle made it look closer than it actually was.
After learning about the Cambodian anger on Tuesday night, the reporter prostrated before a photo of Sihanouk at the palace in Phnom Penh to offer her apology. She also decided to return to Thailand yesterday morning "to show her sincerity about this matter".
Passakorn Siriyaphan, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' East Asia Affairs Department, said that Thapanee's case was personal and it was unlikely to lead to sour ties between Thailand and Cambodia.
However, the Thai ambassador to Cambodia yesterday morning met with the Cambodian deputy foreign minister in Phnom Penh to discuss the matter. The Cambodian side appeared to show understanding, according to the ministry official. The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh also sent a letter to Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong to explain the situation.
The Facebook account "I Love Cambodia" was among the social media sharing the photo of Thapanee stepping on the paper, which appeared to be her news script.
Strongly worded criticisms came from many Cambodian Facebook users although others asked for restraint at this time of national sorrow in Cambodia. Some Thai Facebook users offered apologies.
In Thailand's province of Sa Kaew, the issue was widely discussed, particularly among Cambodians working at the Rong Klua Market.
Some vendors said they thought it was improper for the Thai reporter to step on an image of their former king and called on the reporter to apologise. Other Cambodians said the Thai government should take action regarding the matter before the issue triggers another dispute between the two countries.
They were using their mobile phones to access the social-media websites.
Across the border in the Cambodian town of Poipet, the photo of Thapanee was circulated in Internet cafes, angering many users.
In January 2003, rioters burned the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh and vandalised many Thai-owned businesses, including a luxury hotel. The riots were started by a Cambodian newspaper article that falsely reported that a Thai actress had claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.
10 comments:
Why the picture of the X-king was on the ground at the first place? Who was putting the picture there? Was this intentional or just randomly accidental without intention? Well,who's knows? Only and Thapanee knews! What will happen if Thapanee intent to step on the dead king's picture? Will riot happen in the time like this? You'll the judge.
Kmenhwatt.
Yes, i wonder why the king's photos were on the ground in the first place and from the picture, look like they are intentionally placed on the grounds. Maybe Thapanee didn't place them there, but maybe one of the producers did. The photos di not drop there accidentally because there are no photos on the ground anywhere, only on the spot where Miss Thapanee stood. If cambodian did this to the photos of the Thai king, he/she will go to jail straight away or maybe she will be lynched by the mob around here.
If for any reason that this was intently to look down the the deceased king by Siamese Thapanee,then we can get even with her by using her king picture on the Money to wipe your dirty-ass and post on line,no need to get retaliation with violent like 2003 Angkorwatt incidence falsely claim by Siamese actress.Please save your resource and revenue of your state.
Using her king picture on the Money to wipe your dirty-ass is fair and less hectic than to response in the way we have done in 2003 costly to our govt.We can not afford that to repeat it again.Thanks...
Yobal Khmer
Freaking Bangcock Post, tried to inflame the situation. Why would Bangcock Post post something like this about their channel 3 mishap.
This is no accident! Just look at where the photo is placed. The Cambodian's Government should press charges. No excuse, absolutely disrepectful.
I think the producer put it there to mark a spot for her to stand on or near so they can film her. Either way they know better, no matter who they are or what country. You dont disrepect the dead. This is deliberate by them whole news group. This is beyond evil against the royal family and the whole of srok khmer. We should punch her in the face or them then pee on them. Then they will know the definition of disrespect.
Am Khmer live in Europe very proud of our King.
Please remember, the Chinese government and the Chinese people respected him like their own King.
She has apologized in writting and looks sincere apologized and please dont take this out of the context,I think it accidents because she should know better not to do anything stupid especially in the time like this.It was accident,don't make a big deal on this....
Khmer abroad.
I think we[Khmer] should NOT pay too much attention to this pathetic, illiterate, morally revolting, very unattractive looking Siam lady. We gave her too much credit by flashing her repulsive appearances all over our televisions and newspapers, let use them for other very important news of our people and news around the world.
Never ever bow for someone. King or not, Monk or not. I couldnt care less. I'm no ones master and no ones servant. Royalty all around the world should be brought to trial because all have blood on their hands and commited crimes like genocide. In fact, we should remember the French Revolution and act like it. Away with the Monarchy. Power to the people.
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