A confrontation between a Chinese fan and security personnel at the International Novel Festival 2026 has sparked widespread criticism of the organiser, Thai entertainment giant GMMTV, which felt compelled to issue an explanatory statement on Monday.
Videos of the incident, which showed a physical altercation between a female Chinese fan and security staff at the event, spread rapidly online and across social media platforms in China,
Fans in Thailand and abroad called for the company to explain the circumstances and take responsibility.
Following an initial internal review, GMMTV acknowledged that security personnel had, at certain points during the incident, used force beyond what was considered appropriate for the situation.
The company said the individuals involved were contracted outside security personnel, not GMMTV employees. Nevertheless, it accepted responsibility for overseeing all personnel working at its events.
GMMTV said it had suspended the security staff involved, pending the outcome of a full investigation.
The company denied online claims it had taken legal action against those involved in the incident. The reports were false, the company said. No lawsuits or criminal complaints had been filed in connection with the altercation. (continues below)
Reaffirming its corporate principles, GMMTV said it has no policy of discrimination based on race or nationality. It stressed that the incident was an isolated dispute between individuals and should not be interpreted as reflecting the company's attitude towards fans from any particular country.
The company said it would review its event management procedures, including security operations and staff supervision, to strengthen safety measures and reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future.
Although the statement was released swiftly, the controversy continues to attract significant attention, particularly among international fan communities awaiting the outcome of the investigation and any further action by the company.
Most Thai posts accuse the company of lacking moral fibre, given that many videos show that the chinese fan was the person one who did not comply with the rules. They accuse GMMTV of caring more about the money they hope to gain from Chinese fans in future.
The discussion surrounding the incident continues to intensify on Thai social media. The hashtag #แบนGMMTV (meaning boycott GMMTV) on X has gained traction as users continue to share video clips of the confrontation.
