Thread: BBC reporter faces harassment in Thailand

CPJ reports BBC reporter faces legal harassment in Thailand

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
07 June 2008
News

BBC reporter faces legal harassment in Thailand

New York, June 6, 2008 - The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned
by the legal harassment of BBC correspondent Jonathan Head in Thailand. A
high-ranking police official, Lt. Col. Wattanasak Mungkandee, has filed two
separate criminal complaints alleging that the journalist insulted the
monarchy - charges that Head and the BBC have called unfounded.

Thai law allows any citizen to bring complaints against anyone they believe
has insulted the country's monarchy. Mungkandee reportedly brought the
complaints in a personal capacity. Violations of lese majeste laws are a
criminal offense punishable by three to 15 years' imprisonment.

The first complaint was filed on April 9, and was related to comments Head
made in December while moderating an event at the Foreign Correspondents
Club of Thailand. Titled "Coup, Capital and Crown," the discussion touched
on the monarchy's role in Thai society in light of the 2006 military coup.
No charges have been filed against the local and international academics on
the panel.

The second complaint against Head was filed on May 30 and included charges
that his reporting over a two-year period had "intended to criticize the
monarchy several times" and that "his writings have damaged and insulted
the reputation of the monarchy", according to an English language
translation of the charges, which were reviewed by CPJ.

The May 30 complaint against Head cited 11 articles from the BBC's Web
site, many of which he did not write. In a statement issued Monday, the BBC
called the charges "completely unfounded" and expressed concern about the
potential for angry public reaction to the charges. Head denied that any of
his reporting or comments had criticized the monarchy.

"We call upon Thai authorities to dismiss these charges against BBC
correspondent Jonathan Head," said CPJ Asia Program Director Bob Dietz.
"King Bhumibol Adulyadej said himself during a nationally televised address
in 2005 that the monarchy is not above criticism. Those prosecuting Head
should accept that guidance and throw out this and all future lese majeste
cases."

The charges against Head come at a politically tense period. The prime
minister's office minister, Jakrapob Penkair, resigned last week because of
police accusations that his statements during another event at the club in
August had insulted the monarchy. He had contended that the country's
institution of royalty perpetuates a feudal system.

Thai police have also started investigating more than 20 Web sites with
content that could be considered offensive to the monarchy. The reports say
the investigations have been going on since May 19. Among those under
investigation, the Hi-thaksin site, which was launched in support of former
Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra after he was ousted in a 2006 military
coup, was voluntarily closed down by its operator, Thai media reports said.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to
safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit
CPJ Press Freedom Online





wankers

well 100 years ago they didn't even have proper names so what do you expect!

Originally Posted by gjbkk

A high-ranking police official, Lt. Col. Wattanasak Mungkandee, has filed two
separate criminal complaints alleging that the journalist insulted the
monarchy - charges that Head and the BBC have called unfounded.

Thai law allows any citizen to bring complaints against anyone they believe
has insulted the country's monarchy.

Be careful guys, I now know how to get rid of you...

Not so easy.
It is being muted that to bring a charge of LM is also an ofence under the said law.
you might be digging two graves.

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

It is being muted that to bring a charge of LM is also an ofence under the said law.

Balls.

^it is if it is slander - itself a criminal offence in Thailand.

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

well 100 years ago they didn't even have proper names so what do you expect!

Hmm, by saying "they" you have implicitly included all Thais, including the Supreme Sky High Thai himself. I find myself forced to file a lese-majeste charge against you. Nothing personal.

Oh my God, better get to the airport.
I think you know to whom I reffered

^Just been down to the cop shop, they're doing a 10 for the price of 1 on lese-majeste charges at the moment so I've filed one against everybody on this thread and the thai girl's knicker's thread. No need to thank me.

^well you certainly know who your friends are!! No more of those Alcho-pops for you next time I'm in CM

^I've given them up now, I'm back on the Lao-shi

oh dear. now we're all doomed

Originally Posted by William

oh dear. now we're all doomed

Heh hehe heh heh! Pathetic humans!

Where's Flash?

I've been spending a bit too much time at thaivisa recently and i have learned some stuff.

"now now guys, any more mention of les majeste laws and new posters will be shot. older posters will simply have a short holiday.
Off topic remarks will be deleted out of hand.
go fukk yourself poster"

God.

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

Where's Flash?

got a job at Adobe.

Sorry, I'll get me coat

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

I've been spending a bit too much time at thaivisa recently and i have learned some stuff.

"now now guys, any more mention of les majeste laws and new posters will be shot. older posters will simply have a short holiday.
Off topic remarks will be deleted out of hand.
go fukk yourself poster"

God.

Is God a moderator at TV now? He only made about three posts here. Guess he couldn't stand the heat.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Is God a moderator at TV now?

figuratively speaking.

i see a lot of people crawling on their knees before the mighty peace blondie.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Is God a moderator at TV now?

figuratively speaking.

i see a lot of people crawling on their knees before the mighty peace blondie.

So moving to Chiang Mai made his dreams come true?

I'd just like to point out to any Police Lieutenants reading this forum that the picture I posted above should not be construed as an act of lese majeste and anyway it wasn't me, CMN stole my password.

Originally Posted by William

it is if it is slander - itself a criminal offence in Thailand.

The poster was saying it would be Lese Majeste to bring charges of Lese Majeste.

Nothing to do with slander.