Man Arrested, Fined For Distributing Map Of "bangkok Dangerous Spots"

[george]

Man arrested, fined for distributing map of "Bangkok dangerous spots"

BANGKOK: -- A company worker has been arrested for distributing copies of map highligting 32 areas possible bomb targets, police said.

Chanantaporn Chuatoluang, 41, a driver of Sinthorn Building in Bangkok's Lumphini district, was arrested at 1 pm Wednesday.

Police said Chanantaporn forwarded emails, which was attached with map highlighting 32 areas of possible bomb targets to several persons.

The 32 spots are located in Bangkok's Pathumvan district.

He also printed out the map and handed out copies to friends and relatives and gave a copy to a public relations officer at the Sinthorn Building on Friday.

The PR official became panic and faxed the map to many recipients.

Police said Chanantaporn also handed out copies of the map to taxi motorcyclists, who became frightened and alerted the Lumpini police.

Police charged him with creating disturbance and frightening the public and fined him Bt1,000. He has been released after the fine.

-- The Nation 2007-01-18

[cclub75]

Ah ! At last ! At last one arrestation after the the New Year Bombing !

The pace of the investigation is gaining momentum.

Hurrah !

[Florin]

I see The Nation's English language editing is as brilliant as ever...the guy deserved it, we may not be living in a free country, but distributing "panic leaflets" is just retarded...especially since the New Year's Eve experience has taught us that stuff can happen not just in Siam Paragon, but just about anywhere in the city or its surrounding areas.

Edited January 18, 2007 by Florin

[Thaising]

Itchy prickly hand wants a field day on his brain

[chownah]

Right, he should not be allowed to express his opinion that certain places in Bangkok are more likely to be bombed. This is an evil and pericious opinion and anyone who thinks that some places are more likley to be bombed than other places should be place in special schools where they can be educated so that they no longer hold those views.....everyone...all together now...."We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day......... ".

[hammered]

I notice we havent had a bomb threat for a few days. Wonder why?

[Rhys]

In the Sage Words of Cheech and Chong.. Baliff wack his pp.

[Florin]

Right, he should not be allowed to express his opinion that certain places in Bangkok are more likely to be bombed. This is an evil and pericious opinion and anyone who thinks that some places are more likley to be bombed than other places should be place in special schools where they can be educated so that they no longer hold those views

Terrorists rely on the element of surprise...was this guy prevented his right to free speech? Yes. Would anyone's life be saved by someone expressing the notion that "Centran Wold veeeery deingerus pleis, you no go, no go!!"? By the same logic, people shouldn't be using the London Underground, going to Moscow theaters or indeed be anywhere in the U.S.

I do consider this an act of disturbing the peace and would get very annoyed by receiving such drivel, so even though it restricts freedom, I believe such jackasses should be stopped from harrasing people. It's not like people don't abuse their right to free speech whenever they get the chance...and I believe this was one such case.

Edited January 18, 2007 by Florin

[PhilHarries]

Chownah, he's not so much expressing an opinion as causing panic and there not so much opinions as wild guesses. The guy is possibly mentally challenged and had a lao khaw fuelled bad dream last night. Or maybe he has a grudge against somebody in Pathumvan district and he was trying to damage their business.

Who knows? Either way his actions are tantamount to a hoax call and he's lucky not to get a bit of detention. Last thing anybody needs in the current climate is some nutter running around screaming BOMB!

[Dupont]

Chownah, he's not so much expressing an opinion as causing panic and there not so much opinions as wild guesses. The guy is possibly mentally challenged and had a lao khaw fuelled bad dream last night. Or maybe he has a grudge against somebody in Pathumvan district and he was trying to damage their business.

Who knows? Either way his actions are tantamount to a hoax call and he's lucky not to get a bit of detention. Last thing anybody needs in the current climate is some nutter running around screaming BOMB!

It's not suppresioin of free speach as you rightly say.

Even in the good old US of A, free speach stops short of panic mongering. Think the example they use is that you cannot shout "FIRE" in a deparment store.

The guy is playing into the terrorists hand, and could be costing business in the area thousands of baht if people heed these dreamt up warnings. He could have a grudge against somebody in the area as well.

[Ch4co]

Its quite ridiculous this guy was arrested.. It seems the police here can bend any law to suit their needs.

Creating panic? What a crock.. If I opened up a website pointing out places likely to be targetted by terrorists, is that really creating panic, or pointing out the obvious? For example, if I wrote that Nana Plaza would be a very bad place to be in the event of a bomb, is that creating panic?

It only has one small narrow exit, often blocked with motorbikes.. I'd say I was providing people with valuable information.

At least this information is specific rather than the usual crap we get from our governments..

e.g. Terrorst Danger Level: High, Very High, Imminent. And whilst giving absolutely no specific information. Now that surely is creating panic.

Edited January 18, 2007 by Ch4co

[sanget]

In the Sage Words of Cheech and Chong.. Baliff wack his pp.

The same principle as yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theatre should be applied. In fact people are not free to create panic or to promote anxiety without, at first, having reasonable cause to do so.

[Bottlerocket]

.....everyone...all together now...."We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day......... ".

I can't stop laughing. Good one, Chowna.

[somchai69]

How about an edition showing the "hotspots" in other cities, like

Phuket, Chaing Mai and Pattaya.

[Galong]

.....everyone...all together now...."We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day. We thank you our lords and masters for making Bangkok a totally safe place to smile every day......... ".

I can't stop laughing. Good one, Chowna.

Yup... good one Chownah!

Doesn't the mainstream media do a good enough job of telling potential terrorists what they could do to cause more harm? Speculative journalism is a terrorist's best friend... well, right after printing photos of victims covered in blood.

1,000 Baht is pretty reasonable... geez, they must really have it in for this poor sod.

[AlexLah]

Hmmmm....

Today I visited my hairdresser and we were talking a bit when suddenly she asked me if I was not afraid to visit

her shop. (in the bombing area). I said why, they will not bomb a second time the same place.

They did she told me, only the governement told press not to report it to avoid panic and fear.

I asked her how she know there were other bombings.

Because I was there she told me....

Maybe hoax?

Edited January 18, 2007 by AlexLah