Actress-singer Mai Davika has filed a lawsuit against defamatory comments from netizens, amid an ongoing saga about the handling of animals on a drama which she stars in.
Mai confirmed the filing on social media, and at a press conference on 22 November.
At the heart of the controversy is a scene from the ongoing One31 drama แม่หยัว (The Empress of Ayodhaya), in which Mai stars in.
The scene in question involves a black cat getting posioned. The aired footage shows a live black cat, convulsing and vomitting before it stopped moving completely.
After being aired, it angered animal lovers, who felt the broadcaster was irresponsible in its handling of animals.
Mai is reported as saying that she decided to sue despite “not being in the scene” – referring to the controversial scene in the show – or being an employee of One31.
Commenting on the ensuing online chatter, Mai says: “Everyone is starting to dig up [the past]…I want to say that everyone has [made mistakes].”
She adds that it was important to “learn from them and move on.”
According to the Thai-Belgian artiste, this is the first time in her acting career that she has taken legal action against defamation.
Since the airing of the controversial footage, there have been calls to boycott the series, as well as One31. The channel has since issued an apology amid the controversy.
