Channel 3 yesterday pulled a drama series off the air just two hours before airing its final episode, citing inappropriate content.
Sinjai: TV series star
The series Nua Mek 2 follows the story of a prime minister, his crooked deputy, and a sorcerer who performs black rites to manipulate the political power play.
The series features a character called Prae-pailin and a special investigation unit called the TSI.
The hook of the story is that the prime minister is already dead and his body is possessed by a necromancer.
The narrative also involves an attempt by villains to steal the four mythical weapons of Lord Naraya.
Nua Mek 2, produced by Chatchai Plengpanich and directed by Nonzee Nimibutr, had been on air since Dec 14 and was scheduled to end last night.
However, rumours have been rife since Wednesday that Channel 3 was being pressured to end the series before its epilogue.
Actress Chalida Wijitwongthong posted on her Instagram account on Wednesday that the series was being forced to end prematurely because of political interference.
Her agent said later, however, that Chalida was merely speculating.
At 6:30pm yesterday, Channel 3 ran an on-screen text announcement that it would not screen Nua Mek 2.
The show was replaced with an episode of the romantic drama Raeng Prathana.
People involved in the production refused to comment and Channel 3's public relations department said it had no information about why the series was abruptly stopped.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, who supervises MCOT, the concessionaire of Channel 3, said the cancellation was not a government order.
Government secretary Suranand Vejjajiva also said the government had nothing to do with the ban.
But the Democrat Party's deputy spokeswoman Mallika Boonmetrakul said she strongly believed the PM's Office had pressed for the ban.
"It might be because the content of the series is about abuse of power by politicians who have vested interests in a dubious satellite project concession," she said.
Actress Sinjai Plengpanich, who stars in the series, posted a message on her Instagram and Twitter: "I have faith in goodness. Don't be afraid to be a good person. Don't be afraid to do good things."
In another message she wrote: "No matter what happens, it all depends on what you think about what has happened."Director Nonzee Nimibutr posted on Instagram: "RIP Nua Mek 2. Sleep well."