This is more than just a cautionary tale on the febrile nature of social media, however. It is a reflection of the seething anger that can be found online in a politically divided country where junta generals now rule as civilian leaders and free expression is smothered.

“When I saw him in real life, he was kind of sweet,” Buranahiran said. “Don’t judge someone until you know them. Don’t let social media tell us who to love and who to hate.”

On the face of it, the 29-year-old’s comments might have seemed banal – naive even – but they brought about a blizzard of anger, mainly from Thailand’s young pro-democracy supporters, who have carved out a space for themselves online to mock the country’s ageing, conservative leadership.

“Goodbye Sean … I’ve lost all faith in you,” said one former follower on Facebook, while another called him “a prophet of ignorance” for wading into politics in a kingdom split roughly down the middle between the army-aligned royalist establishment and a pro-democracy movement powered by a younger generation who say Thailand has lurched into thinly-disguised dictatorship.

But as the internet turned against him, his finances also came under scrutiny – including from an anonymous online investigator known only as CSI LA, who is famous for digging the dirt on Thai politics.

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“Is there any truth about this man? It’s terrifying,” the undercover sleuth asked in a Facebook post which quickly drew more than 15,000 likes. “Sean, you underestimate the power of Thai detectives.”

After issuing an apology on July 7 for a lack of clarity with regard to his charity income “as well as my recklessness in presenting information on how the money is being spent”, the 29-year-old’s social media pages fell uncharacteristically silent.

“What is emerging from this whole saga is that those who support dictatorship are slowly being cast out of society,” said John Winyu, a celebrity pundit with his own massive internet following.

“Social media expression is very powerful – with its snowball effect of ‘dislikes’ and ‘unfollows’ – especially in a country where freedom of expression is being oppressed.”

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Thailand election commission delays announcing official results, as military-backed party surprises opposition by taking lead

Thailand election commission delays announcing official results, as military-backed party surprises opposition by taking lead

“Young people feel it’s time to take ownership of their lives and future,” said Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher on Thailand in Human Rights Watch’s Asia division. “The new generation are not just locked up in the virtual world … young people are willing to push the boundaries.”

Rights groups fear he may have fallen victim to a forced disappearance by shadowy forces linked to the Thai establishment.

Its message against big business and the army’s interference in politics lives on though, on social media, in art galleries and in the graffiti daubed across city walls.

“Right now, the only future that we see is dark,” said Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, 23, of the Free Youth Thailand movement, whose recent activities included illuminating Bangkok’s Democracy Monument using torches to symbolically shine a light on the undemocratic path the country has taken in recent years. “We need light to guide us to a better and brighter future.”

As for Buranahiran, only time will tell what lasting damage to his career, reputation and liberty might come from his decision to dip a toe into the murky waters of Thai politics.

When approached for a comment on this article via his official Facebook page, a message in response only said he was “unable to answer privately” because of the volume of inquiries.