Two young Thai women are facing five years in jail after performing a live-streamed striptease on Facebook.
Thanyakan Rojin, 23, and Kanthicha Buranon, 21, have been arrested in Bangkok after breaking Thailand’s strict anti-pornography laws after the Facebook video was seen by millions.
Appearing at court today, the pair made tearful apologies, explaining that they had only turned to stripping to provide financial support to their families.
Facing justice: Thanyakan Rojin, 23, and Kanthicha Buranon, 21, have been arrested after appearing in a Facebook live-stream striptease
The video was reportedly streamed on the Facebook page of a football betting site, and featured the pair dancing in just their underwear with nude silicone covers on their breasts, before using cuddly toys to cover their modesty.
However, pornography is illegal in Thailand, and since the military coups in 2006 and 2014, the government has made several attempts to restrict internet access.
Police issued an arrest warrant and the two friends handed themselves in today in the Bang Khen district of Bangkok, Thailand.
The pair have made a public apology, and explained that they had turned to stripping to support her poverty-stricken parents.
Miss Rojin, said: ‘I did not want to do this but I needed to get money to take care of my family.
Performance: The video featured the pair dancing in just their underwear with nude silicone covers on their breasts, before using cuddly toys to cover their modesty
Sorry: Thanyakan Rojin, left, and Kanthicha Buranon, right, face fines of up to 10,000 Thai baht (£233) or up to five years in prison for the crime
‘I also need to help to pay to send my younger siblings to university.
‘I apologise, I am sorry for setting a bad example to young people. This will stay with me forever.’
Miss Rojin and Miss Buranon told police that they perform together online in return for payment from different companies.
Miss Buranon said they would receive payment for their performance, which was filmed on August 23, based on how many views it received online.
She said: ‘We took off our clothes so we would get more attention and more money. I am sorry.’
Apologetic: The pair has defended themselves, saying they were only trying to make money to support their families
Both pornography and gambling are illegal in Thailand and after seeing the video, prominent conservative lawyer Songkran Atchariyatsap took up the case to prosecute the girls.
The girls were charged with ‘violating the Computer Crime Act’s Section 14 (4)’ and paid a 75,000 baht (£1,750) bond for bail while legal proceedings continue.
Police Colonel Amnat Intarasuran said: ‘Making pornographic and obscene material and sharing it online is illegal.
‘There will be a full investigation and a court hearing to decide the punishment in the future.’
The girls face fines of up to 10,000 Thai baht (£233) or up to five years in prison for the crime.