Thailand: The Public Gathering Bill

[webfact]

Special Report: The Public Gathering Bill

BANGKOK: -- On 4 May 2010, the Cabinet officially gave the green light to the Public Gathering Bill. A total of 39 sections contained in the bill help set a limit for public gatherings and outline procedures for rally organizers and participants.

Proposed by the Royal Thai Police Office and already vetted by the Council of State, the government’s legal adviser has been assigned to ensure that the bill does not breach citizens’ rights to assembly enshrined in the constitution.

As indicated in the bill, any public gatherings must be peaceful while weapons will be banned, and people's freedom of movement and use of public roads must not be constrained. No gatherings will be permitted within a 300-meter radius of royal palaces, Parliament, Government House, government offices and transportation hubs.

Demonstration organizers will be required to notify state authorities of their activities at least 72 hours in advance and will be banned from inciting others to violate the law. Rally participants are prohibited from wearing camouflage clothing or disguising their identities and must not cause any threats or damages to the public’s lives and properties. Any actions leading to others' inconveniences and possession of weapons are also banned.

The legal punishments stipulated in the Public Gathering Bill are as follows:

Any demonstration organizers who cause public grievances without notification will face a fine of no more than 1,000 THB. Any organizers or those who persuade others to take part in a gathering in an unlawful manner will be liable to imprisonment of no longer than six months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Any organizers or participants who intentionally violate orders of state officials or refuse to abide by the rule of law will be subject to a fine of no more than 1,000 THB.

People who commit any offenses that cause any threats or damages to others’ lives and properties will receive a prison term of no more than 6 months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Those who misinform and incite others to use violence during a public gathering will be subject to imprisonment of no longer than 6 months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both.

Those who join a public gathering deemed against the law will be liable to a fine of no more than 1,000 THB. Once a specific timeframe is given by state authorities for participants to leave an illegal gathering, those who refuse to comply will face a jail term of no more than 6 months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Those who leave the rally zone, however, will be exempted from the punishment. The court will be fully empowered to reduce or drop legal punishments against any offenders upon consideration.

In addition, people who bring weapons to a public gathering will face imprisonment of no longer than 1 year or a fine of no more than 20,000 THB or both. Those who carry guns, explosive substances or any similar devices will be granted a jail term of no more than 5 years or a fine of no more than 100,000 THB or both.

-- NNT 2010-05-05

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[SomTumTiger]

Another law for the police "not to enforce". lol Reds and Yellows - pay attention!

[hextac]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

[monkfish]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

[bkkjames]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

Hey its only 10k ruin someone's life or property.

I guess you get 6 months if you can't pay up, I am sure that all those businesses affected by the recent protests will much more secure in this knowledge.

[bhoydy]

Rich people are too busy shopping to have their schedule interrupted by a prison sentence.

[hextac]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

How is imprisonment and/or fine decided?

[Slip]

Seems fair play to me- Sentences seem a bit light tbh.

Hmm 20k @ 500 B a day= 40 days...

[Tigs]

Any demonstration organizers who cause public grievances without notification will face a fine of no more than 1,000 THB. Any organizers or those who persuade others to take part in a gathering in an unlawful manner will be liable to imprisonment of no longer than six months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Any organizers or participants who intentionally violate orders of state officials or refuse to abide by the rule of law will be subject to a fine of no more than 1,000 THB.

Excellent, nice message. Do not follow the rule of law and you will be fined no more than 1000 THB, £20, $30 US. What a great incentive to ensure you notify the authorities of your intention to protest.

[wagoosh]

They forgot to add another VERY IMPORTANT Annex- Policemen or units that are not enforcing these rules should be paying or sentnced to jail for not doing their job, which in this case can hurt many people's livelihood and lives.

A MAJOR reform must be done with the Thai Police force, they actually need to reform the whole force, probably it is the worst performing police force...

I have seen more corrupt police in other countries but nothing like the Thai Police incompetence...

And anyway, whats the point of making new rules if they will not be enforced????????????

[givenall]

Another law for the police "not to enforce". lol Reds and Yellows - pay attention!

Enforce the existing laws first.

These days no one respect the law or the government, so another law will not help these situation, enforcing the law will

[Thai at Heart]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

Indeed it is as though the Thai legal system isn't effected by inflation since its creation.

Maybe they had to consult some old scripture to see if there was anything on precedent and in comparison with a fine of 4 buffaloes and two wives, 20k seemed like a big fine.

[wlcart]

can you say "knee jerk"?

[k9inkrabi]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

Read it again. 1 year in prison, 20k or both.

[monkfish]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

Read it again. 1 year in prison, 20k or both.

What they forgot to mention is if you are rich you get out on bail for 10 years after which the case is void and you get the bail money back probably with interest.

[hextac]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

Read it again. 1 year in prison, 20k or both.

How is imprisonment and/or fine decided?

[baabaabobo]

barn door, horse, bolted.

[webfact]

One off-topic post deleted

[salty]

Sure to be enforced like the traffic laws.

[Jimi007]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

Read it again. 1 year in prison, 20k or both.

I did read it"The legal punishments stipulated in the Public Gathering Bill are as follows:

Any demonstration organizers who cause public grievances without notification will face a fine of no more than 1,000 THB. Any organizers or those who persuade others to take part in a gathering in an unlawful manner will be liable to imprisonment of no longer than six months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Any organizers or participants who intentionally violate orders of state officials or refuse to abide by the rule of law will be subject to a fine of no more than 1,000 THB.

People who commit any offenses that cause any threats or damages to others’ lives and properties will receive a prison term of no more than 6 months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Those who misinform and incite others to use violence during a public gathering will be subject to imprisonment of no longer than 6 months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. 20K if carrying a weapon...

[kimincm]

Any demonstration organizers who cause public grievances without notification will face a fine of no more than 1,000 THB. Any organizers or those who persuade others to take part in a gathering in an unlawful manner will be liable to imprisonment of no longer than six months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Any organizers or participants who intentionally violate orders of state officials or refuse to abide by the rule of law will be subject to a fine of no more than 1,000 THB.

Excellent, nice message. Do not follow the rule of law and you will be fined no more than 1000 THB, £20, $30 US. What a great incentive to ensure you notify the authorities of your intention to protest.

Yes excellent.You are right/how about everybody who faces charges against the State stand trial within 30days.

Organisers 10 yrs.+ fine 10,000,000B.

Do you want scare them off or not??

You get more for throwing litter in the street in Oz,and that should be addressed here as well.

Who wrote this, the Red's?, to make it easy on themselves,surely not the Government,don't appease the rabble, take control, if you aren't up to the job,bring in somebody who is, but don't let the Red Rabble dictate terms.

In a democracy minorities don't dictate terms.

I've read for weeks how the Red Leaders sit and nut out responses to Gov. preposals,great, but I have never heard how hey allowed the decision process to go to the masses.In the 'true' concept of democracy shouldn't it be a 'hands up' who want's to go home,who want's to stay.Silly me,you can't afford to give the masses a say in a true democracy.They might not vote for what the leaders deem to be the necessary path ,How would they know what's good for them,they're only rice farmers

I think the people are being denied the rights they think they are fighting for,thank you 'dear leaders'thanks for nothing,but still they they keep sucking it up,at the mention of 'The uneducated all hel_l breaks loose.

To appease the Reds I propose we have a rice farmer run the Country and join in International Policy Conventions/Chair ASEAN.

How about rice farmers grow rice,they are really good at it.And not give false hopes to those who are under appreciated,it's the Red's who are telling people your life is sh_t.In my small time in Thai everyday I see people I think deserve a better life,a fair shake realistically this is not going to happen.

But I would get a kick out of seeing Thaksin returned to power and when he is back on his' throne 'nobody in the International Community would deal with him because outside of Thai it is a crime to consort with known felons.

Sorry if I wasn't pissed I would not have joined in this 'blinkered phillistine,pig ignorant debacle.

[homoiberikus]

"People who commit any offenses that cause any threats or damages to others’ lives and properties will receive a prison term of no more than 6 months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both."

No matter how many times I read it, it still amazes me that, in Thailand, to deal with "yaa baa" have more punishment than "damage other lives" in a protest gathering.

[Jimi007]

Any demonstration organizers who cause public grievances without notification will face a fine of no more than 1,000 THB. Any organizers or those who persuade others to take part in a gathering in an unlawful manner will be liable to imprisonment of no longer than six months or a fine of no more than 10,000 THB or both. Any organizers or participants who intentionally violate orders of state officials or refuse to abide by the rule of law will be subject to a fine of no more than 1,000 THB.

Excellent, nice message. Do not follow the rule of law and you will be fined no more than 1000 THB, £20, $30 US. What a great incentive to ensure you notify the authorities of your intention to protest.

Yes excellent.You are right/how about everybody who faces charges against the State stand trial within 30days.

Organisers 10 yrs.+ fine 10,000,000B.

Do you want scare them off or not??

You get more for throwing litter in the street in Oz,and that should be addressed here as well.

Who wrote this, the Red's?, to make it easy on themselves,surely not the Government,don't appease the rabble, take control, if you aren't up to the job,bring in somebody who is, but don't let the Red Rabble dictate terms.

In a democracy minorities don't dictate terms.

I've read for weeks how the Red Leaders sit and nut out responses to Gov. preposals,great, but I have never heard how hey allowed the decision process to go to the masses.In the 'true' concept of democracy shouldn't it be a 'hands up' who want's to go home,who want's to stay.Silly me,you can't afford to give the masses a say in a true democracy.They might not vote for what the leaders deem to be the necessary path ,How would they know what's good for them,they're only rice farmers

I think the people are being denied the rights they think they are fighting for,thank you 'dear leaders'thanks for nothing,but still they they keep sucking it up,at the mention of 'The uneducated all hel_l breaks loose.

To appease the Reds I propose we have a rice farmer run the Country and join in International Policy Conventions/Chair ASEAN.

How about rice farmers grow rice,they are really good at it.And not give false hopes to those who are under appreciated,it's the Red's who are telling people your life is sh_t.In my small time in Thai everyday I see people I think deserve a better life,a fair shake realistically this is not going to happen.

But I would get a kick out of seeing Thaksin returned to power and when he is back on his' throne 'nobody in the International Community would deal with him because outside of Thai it is a crime to consort with known felons.

Sorry if I wasn't pissed I would not have joined in this 'blinkered phillistine,pig ignorant debacle.

Agreed, "democracy by anarchy." Interesting concept, not one I agree with. And Red "leadership?" Another oxymoron.

[TonyH]

Another law for the police "not to enforce". lol Reds and Yellows - pay attention!

No I partly disagree... they will enforce it, just that the "spot fines" will go into their pockets.

Of course it depends on the cops own political persuasion when it comes to what he really does.

[TonyH]

The thing that always gets me about Thai law is the cash equivalent. 1 year in prison or 20,000 baht <deleted>.

I would go for the 20K

Read it again. 1 year in prison, 20k or both.

What they forgot to mention is if you are rich you get out on bail for 10 years after which the case is void and you get the bail money back probably with interest.

If you are farang you can usually say by-by to your bail money which is also likely to be much higher that the equivalent Thai person on the same income.

[TonyH]

I would like to know if this law will be back dated and if it comes into force soon does it apply to the reds who seem to be glued down to the pavement?

Don't they have a vagrancy law here

Any one know?

Edited May 6, 2010 by TonyH

[whybother]

I would like to know if this law will be back dated and if it comes into force soon does it apply to the reds who seem to glued down to the pavement?

Any one know?

It is not likely to be back dated. And it doesn't need to be. Just bring it in today.

[pornsasi]

I am very supportive of this bill particularly in respect to protestors bringing fire arms or

explosives (f.e hand grenades) at protests . Harsh penalties should be meted to those

who do , actually i would prefer mandatory jail sentences

However SF (security force) particularly those facing demonstrators should not bring firearms

and explosives themselves at protests .

Edit : Typo

Edited May 6, 2010 by pornsasi

[tlongdon]

Since the Red Shirts are basically ignoring everyone's desire for them to move (because they can - TIT, do what you want and the government weakly looks on), I had a thought... Clearly everyone has managed to find other ways around this area over the past two months. So now is the time to turn the entire central Bangkok around Rajprasong, into a HUGE pedestrian shopping zone. Imagine how clean the air would be.

[thepodest]

Only a little too late...