A screenshot from the Facebook live video on Sept. 2 showing Phuwieng Phrakhammintara with robotic augmented reality filter over his head. Image: the Meteorological Department / Facebook
A screenshot from the Facebook live video on Sept. 2 showing Phuwieng Phrakhammintara with robotic augmented reality filter over his head. Image: the Meteorological Department / Facebook

BANGKOK — A usually tedious weather forecast program went viral overnight after staff forgot to disable amusing face filters during a Monday livestream.

Ten minutes into a Monday Facebook live video by the Meteorological Department, director-general Phuwieng Phrakhammintara entered the frame to warn about the incoming storm Kajiki – while several face filters, such as a purple mustache, a robot, and even a wizard’s hat pop up.

Phuwieng said on Wednesday that he doesn’t mind being an online hit.

“My son even sent it to me,” Phuwieng said Wednesday. “It’s so funny and I laughed to myself. It’s also awkward, but mai pen rai.”

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The moment of joy lasted for about a minute before his colleagues managed to switch off the filters. His briefing then continued as usual.

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Phuwieng said his colleagues noticed the blunder, but the filters kept changing as they tried to disable them. They came to apologize after the live session.

“It’s quite a serious topic as many people are being affected by the floods. But I think it might help those people relieve their stress,” Phuwieng said.

The video has gained more than 280,000 views and been shared more than 5,380 times as of Wednesday.