Thai University Student Fights Back Against False HIV Accusations

A Thai university student, known as Dear, has taken a stand against a malicious online smear campaign that falsely accused her of spreading HIV to multiple men. The 20-year-old accounting student from Mahasarakham University was devastated when her image was used in a TikTok video that claimed she was HIV-positive and had infected several partners, despite the allegations being completely unfounded.

The Incident

The controversy began when a TikTok clip featuring Dear promoting her university was hijacked and edited to include outrageous claims about her health status. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 600,000 views and 60,000 shares, leading to a wave of hate and threats directed at her.

In response to the false accusations, Dear publicly displayed a hospital-issued blood test confirming her HIV-negative status. She has also filed a formal police complaint against the individual behind the fake TikTok account, seeking justice for the damage caused to her reputation and mental health.

Emotional Impact and Support

Dear expressed her feelings of shame and humiliation, stating, “I was ashamed, embarrassed, my dignity as a human was trampled.” She attempted to reach out to the person responsible for the video to have it removed, but was met with mockery and was subsequently blocked.

Her mother voiced her heartbreak over the situation, noting that the viral nature of the video exacerbated the emotional toll on their family. “Some of the comments were horrific. It’s lucky my daughter is strong — if she weren’t, this could have ended very differently,” she said.

University Support and Legal Action

Mahasarakham University has publicly supported Dear, with the Dean of the Faculty of Accountancy and Management, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Charoen Sawithi, standing by her side during a press conference. The university confirmed that the TikTok account in question has no affiliation with them and announced that legal action would be pursued under Thailand’s Computer Crime Act 2017 for impersonation and spreading false information.

Dr. Charoen emphasized the importance of protecting students from such abuse, stating, “We will pursue this case to the fullest extent of the law.” The university is also providing Dear with full legal and mental health support.

Conclusion

Dear’s case highlights the serious consequences of online defamation and the need for accountability in the digital age. As she and her family continue to fight for justice, they urge the public to think critically before sharing unverified claims that can ruin lives. “Just because something’s online doesn’t make it true,” her mother cautioned, emphasizing the importance of respecting personal rights in the face of social media’s rapid spread of misinformation.