Police arrest photojournalist at Suvarnabhumi for carrying bulletproof vest
Bulletproof vests & helmets classified as weapons under Thai law. Hong Kong photojournalist brought one with him to cover bombing last week to be tried in military court.
Bulletproof vests & helmets classified as weapons under Thai law. Hong Kong photojournalist brought one with him to cover bombing last week to be tried in military court.
Reporters and photographers wearing helmets and bulletproof vests scramble for safety on Rama IV Road after armed men among the red shirt protesters hit back at soldiers near Dusit Thani Hotel.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Police arrest photojournalist at Suvarnabhumi for carrying bulletproof vest
24/08/2015
AFP News agency
A Hong Kong photojournalist on Monday said he had been detained in Thailand for carrying a bulletproof vest (ballistic vest) and helmet while covering the aftermath of last week's deadly shrine bombing.
Anthony Kwan Hok-chun, who works for the Hong Kong-based Initium media group, was held by police after trying to depart Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday afternoon.
"Still waiting at the airport police station," he told AFP via text on Monday morning.
"All I know is I am going to court," he added.
International media have flocked to Thailand following last Monday's deadly shrine bombing, which cut down 20 people, mostly Asian tourists, in the heart of one of Bangkok's busiest shopping districts and wounded scores more.
No arrests have been made with the police scrambling to identify the perpetrators of an attack that has sent shockwaves through the country's vital tourism sector.
CHARGED WITH POSSESSING ILLEGAL WEAPON
The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) criticised Kwan's arrest, adding they had been told the photographer would be tried in a military court.
"He is being charged with possessing an illegal weapon, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years, and which will be tried in a military court," the FCCT said in a statement.
"Body armour and helmets used by journalists are not offensive weapons and should not be treated as such," the group added.
Since seizing power in a coup last year, Thailand's junta has ramped up use of military courts.
Thai police did not respond to requests for comment Monday morning.
Basic personal protection equipment commonly used by media around the world such as gas masks, ballistic vests and helmets are classified as weapons under Thailand's Arms Control Act and have to be licensed.
BAN IGNORED UNTIL NOW
But attempts by media groups over the years to seek permission from authorities to carry such items have fallen on deaf ears despite the country's long history of deadly street protests and a festering Muslim insurgency in the deep south.
Until now, the ban on civilians and journalists carrying unlicensed equipment had largely been ignored.
During Thailand's regular bouts of often-violent street protests, demonstrators on both sides of the country's political divide have been seen donning ballistic vests and helmets.
Journalists have also worn such protection during periods of unrest.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/667092/police-arrest-hk-photographer-for-ballistic-vest
สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/667096/police-arrest-photojournalist-at-suvarnabhumi-for-carrying-bulletproof-vest
