BBC'S MAN IN BANGKOK FACING CHARGES
From today's Bangkok Post:
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A police officer filed a criminal complaint yesterday seeking to have a journalist for the BBC charged with insulting His Majesty the King.
Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak Mungkandee of the Phahon Yothin police station said he filed a complaint against British reporter Jonathan Head in connection with remarks he allegedly made when moderating a panel discussion at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on Dec 13 entitled "Coup, Capital and Crown". Lese majeste carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak said the police's Crime Suppression Division will have to translate the evidence he presented to see whether it would pursue the case.
Mr Head said he had no immediate comment.
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Anyone working in the media in Thailand knows how serious a charge of less majeste is. This blog is based around Thailand and life in the media industry, and I am posting this without personal comment.
11 comments:
Wow. That is unbelievable.
Why was the complaint filed after six months?
Jonathan's integrity is well-known.
NewMandala.net has an explaining topic about it.
The Thai media reported today a case where a Thai couple are facing similar less majeste charges for failing to stand during the playing of the National Anthem in the cinema. This is not just a charge reserved for foreigners. I do not believe there is any time frame on how long after an event that charges can be brought, but I am not a legal expert.
My brother is a man of integrity and is highly competent.
I trust that this misunderstanding will lead to an increased awareness of how laws should be written, updated and imposed with compassion and common sense. Zeal is an admirable trait when it is tempered with wisdom.
Plus I just can't see myself baking a cake every week with a file in it and mailing it to Thailand.
Love you Jono!!
Nicola. We all hope this is truly a misunderstanding and that it will be resolved soon. No one is doubting Jonathan's integrity whatsoever. Please be sure of that.
It's ok hon, I didn't think anyone who knew him would be doubting that.
Nicola. I don't know Jonathan personally but I have seen his reports many, many times. I've not seen any updates in the last few days, so please feel free to let me know what's happening - and if I can help in any way. (bkkandy @ myway . com is the best email). Thanks.
Nicola - it seems your brother has falling under dark influence, his royal activities were indeed distasteful - had he kept his integrity there would not have been a problem. Many Thais are deeply upset by his continuing callous behaviour. The Foreign Affairs Ministry warned Jono but he decided to ignore his host and be a plonker - next time he should stay home and fiddle with his own monarch or else he might end up in a cell full of Nigerian Gay Kings at the Bangkok Hilton which is bad news for those with hemorrhoids
Nicola. I do not personally believe in censorship which is why I have allowed William's comments. Remember these are one persons opinions and you are more than welcome to reply.
I don't know enough about the situation to know whether your brother was indeed warned by the Ministry, and perhaps that's something you don't know either?
What is the situation with your brother now? Is he staying put in The Philippines and is he getting support from the BBC?
I agree Andrew - there is no need for censorship.
Apart from being reminded of what a hilarious word "plonker" is - and thank you for that William, it made my day - William's post reminds me that in most of the world, insulting and derogatory comments are used as a poor substitute for an obvious lack of accurate information or the ability for objective insight.
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