Award-winning photographer Anuchai Secharunputong has been ejected from membership of the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand for doctoring pictures of the late King and the Queen taken during a grand audience 10 years ago and claiming the photos as his own.
The RPST announced the decision on its Facebook page on Thursday.
Leading photographer Anuchai Secharunputong takes part in an activity to make No Vote T-shirts to raise funds for the People's Democratic Reform Committee in February, 2014. (Bangkok Post file photo)
It said there was evidence Mr Anuchai, membership number was 2137, had doctored several photographs of the late King and the Queen taken during a grand audience at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall to mark the 60th anniversary on June 9, 2006 of Rama IX's accession to the throne.
He had not sought permission from the owner, Rachata Visarangkul, a leading photographer.
Mr Anuchai, 51, had put his name to the doctored photos, claiming ownership, and disseminated them to both print media and television channels on several occasions. He had given interviews that led the public to think they were his own, the RPST announcement said.
The board of the RPST had discussed the matter at its meeting on Dec 21 and found Mr Anuchai’s conduct was improper, a breach of the law and unethical. They were disgusted by his conduct, which brought disgrace on the RPST, according to the announcement.
The board voted unanimously to revoke Mr Anuchai's membership of the association to set a precedent. The announcement was issued on Dec 21 by Nitikorn Kraivixien, president of the RPST.
Mr Anuchai's website, remixstudiobangkok.com, features his professional background. He has won up to 300 international awards for outstanding photography. They include the Cannes Lion Award from France, Clio Award from the USA, and the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival Award.
On his website he also says he was a special photographer on the occasion of “The 60th Anniversary Celebration of his Majesty’s Accession to the Throne”.
Kittisak Panmanee, former member of the RPST, said he was tasked with setting locations for photo-taking and making a list of photographers taking photos at royal celebrations at the time. Each photographer was asked to take photos from a specific location and they were not allowed to move to other locations.
