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Ten apologises for Have You Been Paying Attention? segment on death of Thailand’s King

Ten has apologised to Thailand’s ambassador to Australia after topical panel show Have You Been Paying Attention? made jokes about reaction to the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The network has also promised to never broadcast the segment again and removed it from the Tenplay website.

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According to a report from the Bangkok Post, Chirachai Punkrasin, the ambassador to Canberra, wrote to Network 10 complaining about the segment, saying: “While it may not be the intention of the Network 10 to cause offense, [sic] the programme needs to show greater cultural sensitivity and media professionalism when it deals with a topic that makes reference to another country, institution and culture.

“I count on your understanding and your cooperation in removing the inappropriate segment on Thailand in the above-mentioned programme from your future diffusion programme as well as other social media channels.”

Defaming, offending, mocking or joking about the Royal Family in Thailand are covered by lèse majesté laws which can attract up to 15 years imprisonment.

A Ten spokesperson said: “Network Ten has written to the Ambassador of Thailand in Canberra to apologise for the inappropriate comments made on the program. In no way was any disrespect intended and we sincerely regret any distress caused.

“The video has been taken down from Ten’s website and other social channels, and will be edited to remove this segment, prior to the episode being broadcast or made available again.”

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