Allowing video coverage is an excellent start to this week!!
Good luck and let the truth out

Posted by anonymous on July 13, 2015 14:31

Excellent news about the video. Thank you for letting us know the time.

Posted by James on July 13, 2015 14:49

FT just reported in the article "Trial puts Thailand people-smuggling record under fresh scrutiny":

Thailand's much-criticised record on people-smuggling is set to come under a fresh spotlight as two Phuket-based journalists face jail for alleging navy involvement in the trade.
The country's ruling military has refused to pull back from the trial starting on Tuesday of Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian of the Phuketwan news website, despite heavy criticism from international human rights and journalists' groups.
The case is particularly striking after the recent exposure of mass graves at a network of people-smuggling camps in Thailand triggered arrests and transfers of security officials, including an army general.
Mr Morison, Phuketwan editor and an Australian national, called on the Thai government to stop the long-running prosecution of him and Ms Chutima, which he claimed was now being pursued by only a few navy officers.
''We still maintain our innocence and object to the actions of these misguided officers,'' said Mr Morison, who has shut the Phuketwan site temporarily because of the case.

Posted by Sue on July 13, 2015 16:45

Great news!

There are certainly a lot of people here in Phuket who will appreciate being able to see the action via the live feed given that many have travelled considerable distances to get here.

Best of luck for this week.

Ian Yarwood
Solicitor - Perth, Australia
But in Phuket for the trial.

Posted by Ian Yarwood on July 13, 2015 17:13

Ed

Wish I could be there to give some moral support but traveling for the next few days

Hope it all does well - I think we all feel sure that common sense must prevail.

Posted by Discover Thainess on July 13, 2015 19:10

BBC aired your story during it's 5am news hour this morning. Good luck today!

Posted by peter rawai on July 14, 2015 05:38

At Alan & Chutima, I wished to be able to be present in court. My wheelchair prevents me from even trying it. By the time I can walk again. I hope to see you both as free persons walking around on the beaches to. I hope you both will give me the honor to share a glass (or several) with you. You are My Phuket1 hero's. People like you deserve the Pulitzer award. May Phuketwan announce "Victory" and or "Innocent" soon.

Posted by phuketgreed on July 14, 2015 09:13

Front Page of BBC News

Good Luck!

Posted by Tbs on July 14, 2015 13:01

Jonah Fisher (BBC) and others are saying that reporters are not allowed to take notes - just as on Koh Tao. My understanding is that the video feed is only viewable from the adjacent room and not available to facilitate accurate reporting. So this trial is not in accord with "international standards", as the phrase goes.

Posted by Anonymous on July 14, 2015 14:29

ED, as most know, you and I have differing views, leading to some rather "heated" exchanges, however, putting that aside, I'd like to wish you and Chutima the best of luck and hope common-sense prevails.

Posted by Laurie Howells on July 14, 2015 17:39

Wishing you Ed and Chutima all the luck here from England. Monica and Shane

Posted by Monica on July 15, 2015 02:42

Good luck to you both

Posted by Lashay on July 15, 2015 07:16

negative publicity for Thailand over this may help win the day its highly controversial not just locally best wishes to the journalists for a no case to answer.

Posted by slickmelb on July 15, 2015 23:36

Chutima and Alan have a lot of fans rooting for them - all over the place.

Even those that battled with Alan have come out in support for the most part, like Laurie H, so his true colors were good in the end, and that's all that counts..

Perhaps the prosecution should take note.

Posted by farang888 on July 17, 2015 04:10