Thai Libel Laws

[penkrew]

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of the current Thai libel laws (in English or Thai). I'm a writer and I don't think I have a problem, but would just like to be sure!

Many thanks

[girlx]

was this inspired by the thread that was just closed as a possible libel threat? i am curious as well.

[penkrew]

No, sorry it's not, I haven't seen the thread you're referring to. It's not related to anything on here.

was this inspired by the thread that was just closed as a possible libel threat? i am curious as well.

[lopburi3]

I believe they are rather draconian but have no reference other than having seen many reports of people in serious trouble for what I would consider a normal expression of opinion. Believe this is why papers always avoid names.

[marquess]

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of the current Thai libel laws (in English or Thai). I'm a writer and I don't think I have a problem, but would just like to be sure!

Many thanks

There are basically two of them, the first is called Mimpramar and it criminal offence and then the other one is called Dumin which is a personal insult. The former is more serious and can result in imprisonment!

[Mario2008]

Law firm Tileke and Gibbens have some info about libel on their website.

Check this out: http://www.tillekeandgibbins.com/Publicati...sics/index.html

page 3 and following.

[penkrew]

Hi, thanks for the responses, the link is excellent for most Thai law, although it doesn't seem to cover defamation/libel.

I heard somewhere that the statute of limitations here (ie the time period within which you must bring an action) is just 3 months, in most countries it's about a year.

Libel's a strange beast and there are many ways someone can inadvertently fall foul of it. You can still libel someone even if they're not named - for example 'a balding 70s glam rock star was arrested in Cambodia today' - the key is usually can the person be identified.

There was a famous case in the UK where a paper mentioned problems with a police officer from a certain force. The force was so small that they all claimed people thought they were the officer in question, so they all sued and all got some cash!

Anyhow, thanks for the responses.

Law firm Tileke and Gibbens have some info about libel on their website.

Check this out: http://www.tillekeandgibbins.com/Publicati...sics/index.html

page 3 and following.

[girlx]

Libel's a strange beast and there are many ways someone can inadvertently fall foul of it. You can still libel someone even if they're not named - for example 'a balding 70s glam rock star was arrested in Cambodia today' - the key is usually can the person be identified.

is that right? hrmm. as a writer i worry about this. i have taken to using only first initials when i talk about someone, but are the laws really such that they can get you on inference alone???

[penkrew]

Yeah, afraid I've had to sit through many a libel workshop and read many examples of where stories cost money.

there are several things that are needed for something to be defamatory, but essentially it has to be published to a third party, it has to identify the person, and it needs to have been published recently. Oh, and of course you need to have said something nasty!

The test for identifying the person is whether the average person could work out who you are talking about. Not naming them can be dangerous as it opens the possibility of truly innocent people being mistaken for the person, and I would have to say using first initials is probably even more dangerous as you're effectively giving clues as to who you are talking about.

Having said all that, that's how it works in the west, I don't know much about Thai libel - hence the question! Am always interested to talk with other writers girlx, are you freelance or work for someone?

is that right? hrmm. as a writer i worry about this. i have taken to using only first initials when i talk about someone, but are the laws really such that they can get you on inference alone???