BANGKOK: An American photo-journalist detained for carrying a bullet-proof jacket and helmet faces up to five years jail on weapons possession charges in Thailand, in a case that has prompted an outcry from media freedom groups.
The Foreign Correspondent's Club of Thailand has repeatedly requested assistance from the Thai government in finding a way for journalists and others, like paramedics, who are working in conflict zones to be able to carry protective equipment legally.
Bullet-proof vests have been used by many journalists in the past during sometimes violent street demonstrations in the Thai capital.
In 2010, Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto and freelance photographer Fabio Polenghi were shot dead while covering crackdowns on anti-government protesters in Bangkok.
Neither journalist was wearing protective body armour.
Authorities detained Hong Kong-based Hok Chun Anthony Kwan at Bangkok's international airport on August 23 as he was about to leave the country after covering the aftermath of an August 17 bomb blast in the Thai capital that killed 20 people.
The body armour was in his hand luggage.
Thai officials say the helmet and flak jacket are classified as weapons under Thailand's 1987 Arms Control Act, but the law has rarely if ever been enforced for media representatives and medics, as the country for has gone through years of upheaval and instability.
Mr Kwan, who had been on assignment in Bangkok for Initium Media Technology news agency, told reporters he would plead not guilty at a trial in November.
"I'm not confessing . . . I don't think that a flak jacket is a weapon and I definitely didn't know it was illegal here," he said. "I think everyone in my situation would be a little bit concerned.
''I'm preparing for the worst but hoping for the best."
Studies have shown the wearing of body armour dramatically decreases the wearer's chances of death from high speed projectiles like bullets or shrapnel in conflict zones.
But they are regulated in some countries - and Australian states and territories - to prevent their use by criminals.
The foreign correspondent's club in Bangkok issued a statement saying that instead of charging Mr Kwan, the Thai authorities should consult with the media community in Thailand to explore a way around the 1987 law that was "surely not intended to prosecute journalists carrying out their normal duties".
Shawn Crispin, south-east Asian representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the harassment of Mr Kwan is out of step with global norms for journalists' protection and with the security situation on the ground in Thailand.
"The government should prioritise reforming its outdated arms control act in a manner that allows journalists to reasonably protect themselves and stop harassing the press," he said.
Thailand's ruling junta, which toppled a democratically-elected government after months of anti-government street protests last year, has imposed sweeping censorship on the media in Thailand, a country that previously had one of the freest media in Asia.
Prominent Thai journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk was last month taken away for so-called "re-education" at a Thai military base.
A Thai court last month threw out defamation charges against Australian journalist Alan Morison and his Thai colleague Chutima Sidasathian by the Royal Thai Navy over their award-winning reporting of the plight of persecuted Rohingya boatpeople.
The navy has asked a court for more time to consider whether to appeal the verdict.
The Foreign Correspondent's Club of Thailand has repeatedly requested assistance from the Thai government in finding a way for journalists and others, like paramedics, who are working in conflict zones to be able to carry protective equipment legally.
Bullet-proof vests have been used by many journalists in the past during sometimes violent street demonstrations in the Thai capital.
In 2010, Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto and freelance photographer Fabio Polenghi were shot dead while covering crackdowns on anti-government protesters in Bangkok.
Neither journalist was wearing protective body armour.
Authorities detained Hong Kong-based Hok Chun Anthony Kwan at Bangkok's international airport on August 23 as he was about to leave the country after covering the aftermath of an August 17 bomb blast in the Thai capital that killed 20 people.
The body armour was in his hand luggage.
Thai officials say the helmet and flak jacket are classified as weapons under Thailand's 1987 Arms Control Act, but the law has rarely if ever been enforced for media representatives and medics, as the country for has gone through years of upheaval and instability.
Mr Kwan, who had been on assignment in Bangkok for Initium Media Technology news agency, told reporters he would plead not guilty at a trial in November.
"I'm not confessing . . . I don't think that a flak jacket is a weapon and I definitely didn't know it was illegal here," he said. "I think everyone in my situation would be a little bit concerned.
''I'm preparing for the worst but hoping for the best."
Studies have shown the wearing of body armour dramatically decreases the wearer's chances of death from high speed projectiles like bullets or shrapnel in conflict zones.
But they are regulated in some countries - and Australian states and territories - to prevent their use by criminals.
The foreign correspondent's club in Bangkok issued a statement saying that instead of charging Mr Kwan, the Thai authorities should consult with the media community in Thailand to explore a way around the 1987 law that was "surely not intended to prosecute journalists carrying out their normal duties".
Shawn Crispin, south-east Asian representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the harassment of Mr Kwan is out of step with global norms for journalists' protection and with the security situation on the ground in Thailand.
"The government should prioritise reforming its outdated arms control act in a manner that allows journalists to reasonably protect themselves and stop harassing the press," he said.
Thailand's ruling junta, which toppled a democratically-elected government after months of anti-government street protests last year, has imposed sweeping censorship on the media in Thailand, a country that previously had one of the freest media in Asia.
Prominent Thai journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk was last month taken away for so-called "re-education" at a Thai military base.
A Thai court last month threw out defamation charges against Australian journalist Alan Morison and his Thai colleague Chutima Sidasathian by the Royal Thai Navy over their award-winning reporting of the plight of persecuted Rohingya boatpeople.
The navy has asked a court for more time to consider whether to appeal the verdict.
On FB some Thais are vocal and articulate to defend this situation and to confirm that yes,HK journalist is a bad character who violates a very good law,and the law is good because police here is not equipped with that grade level of lethal weapons ,unliken,e.G. in the US, to have such grade of vest needed, hence,the offence is very severe and should be punished.
Hm, that is very non-Boolean logocs for me.
Posted by Sue on October 13, 2015 14:11