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| GMMTV Faces Backlash Over Treatment of Female Artists at TikTok Awards Thailand |
One of Thailand’s biggest entertainment agencies, GMMTV, has found itself at the centre of controversy after its female artists’ positioning during the TikTok Awards Thailand sparked online debate and criticism.
A group photo from the event began circulating across social media, showing male artists standing in the back row while the female artists were kneeling in front of them.
What was intended as a neat group shot quickly turned into a viral talking point—especially on Weibo, Pantip and Twitter, where netizens accused the company of showing a lack of respect and awareness.
The hashtag related to GMMTV soared up the Weibo trending chart, hitting #20 overall and #1 in the entertainment category, proving just how big the discussion has become in the region.
Many social media users called out what they described as “an outdated and tone-deaf” approach to event photo arrangements.
One widely shared comment read, “Treat your female artists better. This isn’t about gender—it’s about basic respect and professionalism.”
ตึกมหานครย่านอโศก#TikTokAwardsTH pic.twitter.com/VnoL0E8Svx
Others pointed out that the female talents were wearing elegant dresses and high heels, making it uncomfortable and unnecessary for them to kneel purely for aesthetic composition in photos.
Fans argued that the setup sent the wrong message about equality and representation within the industry.
As of now, neither GMMTV nor the TikTok Awards organisers have issued an official response regarding the issue.
However, the growing online discussion has placed pressure on both parties to clarify how such arrangements were decided.
Fans have since urged the company to prioritise equal treatment and comfort for all its artists, regardless of gender, in future public appearances.
While some defended the photo as simply a traditional arrangement for fitting large groups into frame, most agreed that, in today’s entertainment scene, public image and visual messaging matter more than ever—especially for a leading agency like GMMTV, which prides itself on youth-driven and progressive branding.
The controversy serves as a reminder that presentation choices at public events can have powerful ripple effects online, and audiences today expect awareness, equality, and respect to be reflected in every detail—right down to a single group photo.
Source: Twitter/Pantip