By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter
BANGKOK — Those sharing videos of an allegedly mentally ill judge going on a rampage may face prosecution, according to a court spokesman.
Chidchanok Paensuwan, who was seen yelling and throwing a plastic water bottle at civil servants in a now-viral video, has a mental disorder and is therefore protected by law from public humiliation, spokesman Suebpong Sripongkul said.
Suebpong cited Article 16 of the 2008 Mental Health Act, which stated that “No person shall disclose information relating to the health of a patient in a manner that may cause damage to them.”
“Therefore, those who posted video clips of Ms. Chidchanok with messages that potentially cause damage to her will be considered as breaking the law,” Suebpong was quoted as saying by Spring News yesterday. “They may face both jail terms and fines.”
Video of 45-year-old Chidchanok throwing a tantrum at officials at the Department of Land Transport in Bangkok was posted on the internet Wednesday. According to the person who filmed the video, Piyawat Suwanwong, Chidchanok lost her cool after she was ticketed for parking in a restricted area.