GMMTV Apologizes After Fan Clash at Novel Fest Sparks Online Dispute

BANGKOK — Entertainment company GMMTV has issued an apology following a fan altercation at the International Novel Festival 2026, which has escalated into a wider online dispute between Thai and Chinese fan communities. According to accounts circulating online, the dispute originated over a seating issue after a Chinese fan allegedly entered a reserved area. The situation reportedly escalated during attempts to remove the attendee, leading to a physical confrontation involving event staff. In a statement released after an initial investigation, GMMTV acknowledged that the staff member involved used excessive force in parts of the incident and reiterated its stance against violence. The staff member, who was an outsourced worker, has been suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation. GMMTV also denied claims that it had taken legal action against the Chinese attendee, stating no such action has been filed. The company emphasized that the incident was an individual dispute and does not reflect its policy toward any nationality, asserting it does not condone discrimination. However, the statement has drawn criticism from some Thai fans, who accused the company of failing to adequately defend the Thai staff member and questioned the balance of its response. Discussions have spread across social media platforms, with some fans expressing support for the Thai side of the dispute. The controversy has also garnered attention among fan communities in other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, as online debates continue regarding accountability, nationality, and the treatment of fans at international entertainment events. GMMTV stated it would review its event management procedures and strengthen supervision measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The post GMMTV apologizes after fan clash at International Novel Festival sparks online dispute appeared first on Khaosod English.