BANGKOK — 17 July 2026, Thai actors “Win” Metawin Opas-iamkajorn and “Force” Jiratchapong Srisang have apologised after facing criticism from fans in Thailand and abroad for using the Signal for Help hand gesture in a workout video, with critics saying it trivialised a symbol associated with domestic abuse.
The issue began gaining traction after social media users, particularly international fans, questioned the use of the gesture. They noted that the Signal for Help was developed to allow victims of domestic violence or people in threatening situations to discreetly ask for assistance without speaking.
Critics argued that using the gesture as a meme or for entertainment content risked diminishing its significance and could result in genuine requests for help being overlooked.
Following the backlash, both Win and Force posted apology statements on their X accounts, admitting that they had not fully understood the meaning or sensitivity of the symbol before using it.
Force explained that he had mistakenly believed the signal was a general gesture for asking for help in any situation and was unaware that it had a specific association with victims of violence. He added that he had seen people in Thailand use similar gestures in everyday situations, leading him to misunderstand it as a widely recognised general symbol.
He described the incident as a personal mistake and said he would be more careful when using various symbols and gestures in the future.
Win said he was sorry for using the gesture without properly understanding its meaning or the sensitivity surrounding it. He admitted he had mistakenly thought it was simply a general signal for requesting help.
He said the incident had been an important lesson that highlighted the need to communicate and use symbols more thoughtfully.
Both actors also thanked those who had reached out to explain the gesture’s meaning and offer guidance, saying they would learn from the mistake and pay greater attention to the impact of their communications in the future.
Although many online commentators believed the incident stemmed from a lack of awareness rather than malicious intent, the controversy prompted broader discussion of the Signal for Help and raised awareness in Thailand and abroad of its role as a discreet way for people experiencing violence or abuse to seek assistance.
