Thai beauty shows a beastly side

In the eyes of some Thais, this beauty has become a beast.

Newly crowned Miss Universe Thailand Weluree Ditsayabut, 22, has stirred controversy after her Facebook post went public.

She wrote that pro-government protesters, known as "red shirts", should be executed.

Miss Weluree, who was crowned on Saturday in a nationwide live broadcast, accused the pro-government supporters of being "anti-monarchy" dissidents, and suggested that Thailand will be cleaner once the "dirty" red shirts leave the country, reported Thai news website Khaosod English.

In the post made in November she also said: "You Red-Shirt (expletive), get out of here.

"Thailand is contaminated by people like you who want to overthrow the monarchy.

"You're wicked - you won't die peacefully in your beds. I'm not neutral. I'm siding with the king. You Red-Shirt leaders should all be executed."

The comments drew sharp criticism from red shirt supporters who asked if she was the right person to represent Thailand if she felt this way about fellow Thais.

POLITICALLY-DIVIDED

Deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division Phil Robertson condemned Miss Weluree's remarks on Twitter, reported CNN.

"Perhaps (a) better title is Miss Politically Divided #Thailand? Shameful when beauty queens are calling for executions," he wrote.

Yesterday, Miss Weluree had a change of heart and apologised for her comments on a morning talk show, Kasod English reported.

She said the remarks were not meant to be read by the public and was for "a circle of close friends".

"I was careless. I was young. I did it recklessly.

"It won't happen again. Let me apologise to all the fans of the pageant, and to all Thais," she added.

Her Facebook page has also been removed.

The BBC in its report on the incident said: "There was nothing exceptional about what she said, though.

"Over the past seven months, there has been a steady stream of emotional, abusive statements by activists on the stages of the protest movement, which has been trying to unseat the government."

It said that much of the abuse thus far has been directed at former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her family.

Some of it were graphically sexual while others threatened extreme violence. Even the former Prime Minister's 11-year-old son was not spared.

Gruesome posters were displayed at opposition rallies showing the cabinet with their heads hacked off.

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Perhaps (a) better title is Miss Politically Divided #Thailand? Shameful when beauty queens are calling for executions.

- Deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division Phil Robertson took to Twitter to voice his displeasure