"he [Mr Suradet Nil-uon, president of the Songkhla fishery association] warned that 700 fishing boats which are now out in the open sea fishing would return from the sea in 12 hours if there was no positive response from the government."

 

Thailand Penal Code Title I, Chapter 2 "Offences Against the Internal Security of the Kingdom," Section 117 "Disruption of Business or Trade to Change the Laws of Country" (in part-underline emphasis added ):

• Whoever, instigates or causes a strike, lockout, or concerted cessation of trade or business with any person for the purpose of bringing about any change in the Laws of the Country, coercing the Government or intimidating the public, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years or fine not exceeding fourteen thousand Baht, or both.
• Whoever, with the knowledge of the above purpose, takes part or assists in the said strike, lock-out, or concerted cessation of trade or business with any person shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years or fine not exceeding six thousand Baht, or both.

http://library.siam-legal.com/thai-law/criminal-code-offense-internal-security-sections-113-118/

Thai governments through the present have historically abused the Penal Code to discourage and punish anti-government protests, to deprive people of their human rights (ie., freedom of expression) and liberties (ie., freedom of movement).

 

However, the Prayut government would seem to have a legitimate legal justification in this case to enforce compliance of Thailand's new IUU laws that does not infringe on people's rights by taking action against the organizers and participants of the subject fishing shutdown. He should quickly remind the members of the Songkhla fishery association of the consequences of their threat, followed with a meeting on what alternatives the government and the association can offer to mitigate economic impacts of compliance with the law relating to IUU. In fact Prayut has previously offered to subsidize various boat costs and buy boats surplussed by IUU fishing restrictions. 

 

Wrongful use of laws to suppress human rights is abhorrent. But it's just as wrong not to apply fair and reasonable laws when compliance is justified. Otherwise, what remains is an arbitrary penal code based on emotions that has no judicial permanence and definition.

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by Srikcir
add emphasis

Owners of fishing boats threaten to stop fishing to protest against IUU restrictions

Translated:  "We'll show them!  We'll stop fishing unless we can use slave labor!!!"

Good.  The ocean is overfished anyway. 

Edited April 9, 20188 yr by connda

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Owners of fishing boats threaten to stop fishing

Good.

Two planks & thick as come to mind here.

 

Good, stop fishing for a long time, go bankrupt, sell your boat for a pittance because there will be thousands more for sale and then blame the government for your woes, I'm looking forward to your wailing already 

...threaten to stop fishing...???

 

...a perfect opportunity to clean up the putrid fishing industry...from the horrific stories we have read...

 

...if these fishing boat owners are against basic human rights...they should be taken out of business....

 

...if not criminally charged ...

Empty threats.