Press Freedom Group Criticizes Thai Plan To Deport Photojournalists

[hanuman1]

If the two are really set free by Thai authorities then this is another example of common sense trumping the letter of the law.

Another example of that is the Thai authorities not trying to arrest thousands of people for being part of a group numbered more than 5 when that was prohibited.

Real life is more complicated than any one country's legislation can ever fully cater for. It does the Thai authorities credit each time they make this apparent.

[andrewdrummond]

Why do journalists behave like they are above the law?

Drop the Dead Donkey

Because the law here is at such a low most of the time I suspect.

While Nick Nostitz and I may not share the same politiical beliefs it is true that of course all journalists have to break the law sometime and certainly to go into Burma. i have spent months on end in both Karen and Shan States (not recently though) and have entered Burma many times. And once even with the Thai army without a visa.

The border of course is not that clear. I have even been caught by Thai Immigration because at the end of one trip i was just sick of, or rather my backside was sick of, the bloody mules one of which landed on top of me in a ravine leaving my cartoon imprint in the mud. . I talked immigration out of it. All depends on the political situation and who is manning the border posts. Right now Thailand is leading talks into bringing Burma into the fold and ending sanctions.

[rubl]

begin removed ...

While Nick Nostitz and I may not share the same politiical beliefs it is true that of course all journalists have to break the law sometime and certainly to go into Burma.

... end removed

have to break the law sometimes ? Where does that leave me as ordinary, hard working private person paying taxes in this country?

I think there's something not quiet right with the logic of that part

[not5150]

I find it fascinating that people are harping on the journalists breaking the law. Fact of the matter is that you cannot cover Burma by entering the country legally. If you are embedded with the Karen rebels, then you must cross into Burma through the jungle and come back through the jungle.

I worked with John during the Red Shirt protests As others have said, he's a courageous and talented videographer.

[nicknostitz]

begin removed ...

While Nick Nostitz and I may not share the same politiical beliefs it is true that of course all journalists have to break the law sometime and certainly to go into Burma.

... end removed

have to break the law sometimes ? Where does that leave me as ordinary, hard working private person paying taxes in this country?

I think there's something not quiet right with the logic of that part

Simple - leaves you reading the newspaper or watching TV that we hardworking and equally in this country taxpaying journalists provide you the stories for, so you have something to say in your discussions on ThaiVisa.

[nicknostitz]

While Nick Nostitz and I may not share the same politiical beliefs

I am not so sure of that.

My political believes are quite simple - i believe in equal rights and opportunities, am slightly left leaning, and quite liberal.

I think the problem is more that i have a different analysis of conflict, which comes from me having spend extraordinary amounts of time on the streets in the different camps, have spoken with people of all levels in the different camps, which has altered and widened my perspective on the situation. And i had to suffer from continuous campaigns discrediting me, where my sympathy towards many of the Red Shirt demands (more than a few of their demands are justified, even though more than a few of their protest strategies are to be criticized - and i do that) are conveniently translated into "bias", and i am accused of not reporting factually. Which i do though - it is the most important part of our work to report factually, whatever ones personal sympathies or antipathies may be. Anybody who knows me well knows that i am absolutely anal about facts, and endlessly go on people's nerves about details.

Show me one bit in my books or stories where i have not reported factually, please, or where i have made omissions of important events or facts. I am always open to constructive criticism. I just don't have time for second and third hand opinions.

Anyhow, sorry to transgress the topic

[webfact]

Two journalists freed in Thailand

BANGKOK, January 25, 2011 (AFP) - Thai authorities have released two photojournalists who had been facing deportation after re-entering the country from neighbouring Myanmar, police said Tuesday.

Belgian Pascal Schatteman and John Sanlin, a Myanmar passport holder, were detained Thursday in the border town of Mae Sot after returning to Thailand from eastern Myanmar, where they reported on clashes between rebels and troops.

"The two journalists were released on Sunday, and they can stay in Thailand until their tourist visas expire," said Lieutenant Colonel Peuan Duangjina at the immigration office in Tak province, where the men were arrested.

The men's passports were returned to them Tuesday, he added.

Thailand had initially said they would be deported, drawing criticism from a media rights group as Sanlin faced returning to Myanmar, which is known for giving lengthy prison sentences to reporters working for unofficial media.

Thailand should "take into consideration the prospect that Sanlin will suffer severe reprisals if he is forcibly returned" to his country, said the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Sanlin, who according to CPJ has previously provided video footage to Al Jazeera and France 24, told the group he feared reprisals if he was deported to Myanmar.

CPJ lists Myanmar as the world’s fourth-worst jailer of journalists, with at least 13 in prison.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-01-25

[hanuman1]

Yep - stupidity - they know the rules and expect leniency! Go figure.

Oh look...fancy that - they got leniency. Care to reconsider your post?

I'm sure there are many here who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[hanuman1]

I find the whole thread a bit misleading.

They aren't being deported because of an occupation (photojournalists), they are being deported because of immigration violations. They exited and re-entered Thailand illegally if I am reading this right. If, at some point in your life, you willingly and knowingly break the law you absolutely should be willing to face the consequences. These consequences don't seem particularly harsh all things considered.

Unrealistic.

[jdinasia]

Yep - stupidity - they know the rules and expect leniency! Go figure.

Oh look...fancy that - they got leniency. Care to reconsider your post?

I'm sure there are many here who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Yes, he said that 2 days ago. They were treated VERY lightly --- and could risk other actions since they are on tourist visas. If you knowingly break the law you should not EXPECT leniency, but it is sometimes nice that it is granted.

[hanuman1]

Yep - stupidity - they know the rules and expect leniency! Go figure.

Oh look...fancy that - they got leniency. Care to reconsider your post?

I'm sure there are many here who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Yes, he said that 2 days ago. They were treated VERY lightly --- and could risk other actions since they are on tourist visas. If you knowingly break the law you should not EXPECT leniency, but it is sometimes nice that it is granted.

Great!

[Buchholz]

Welcome to the archive of Photographer Schatteman Pascal

I have basis at Mae Sot (Border Burma-Thai) in Thailand.

========================================================================================================

* Name john sanlin

* Location Thailand (Bangkok)

Two journalists freed in Thailand

"The two journalists were released on Sunday, and they can stay in Thailand until their tourist visas expire,"

Two journalists, both based in Thailand, really should have work permits and not tourist visas.

Otherwise, they could be deported.

.

[nicknostitz]

Two journalists, both based in Thailand, really should have work permits and not tourist visas.

Otherwise, they could be deported.

.

Indeed, it is advisable to obtain accreditation and work permits here.

Nevertheless, it should be considered that it is nowadays for freelancers not easy anymore to find an agency that will take one up and provide the necessary letter of sponsorship. The business has changed over the past years. Before anyone says something - i have the accreditation and work permit here.

In some countries though journalists are not allowed in, or only through a procedure that takes months, far too late. Therefore it is very common to go to those countries on tourist visas.

[Buchholz]

Two journalists, both based in Thailand, really should have work permits and not tourist visas.

Otherwise, they could be deported.

.

Indeed, it is advisable to obtain accreditation and work permits here.

Nevertheless, it should be considered that it is nowadays for freelancers not easy anymore to find an agency that will take one up and provide the necessary letter of sponsorship. The business has changed over the past years. Before anyone says something - i have the accreditation and work permit here.

In some countries though journalists are not allowed in, or only through a procedure that takes months, far too late. Therefore it is very common to go to those countries on tourist visas.

So long as they know that with every new infraction attributed to them that that rickety fence they're straddling gets more and more wobbly.

It's up to them if they wish to operate on the outer fringes of legality with the potential repercussions being what they are AND that they do so of their own free will.

With this sort of situation, they or others shouldn't be surprised if perhaps the next time, the leniency is gone, and more severe consequences occur on their second time the same thing happens.

Sort of reminds me of the posters calling for the homosexual rape of TPN's Veera currently held in Cambodian jail on his second offense.

Lets hope he is sharing a cell with the Cambodian Bubba

Plus a slippery and heavy bar of soap.

.

Edited January 25, 2011 by Buchholz