Martial Law. Implications in real life

[SportyGuy]

Hi all forum members.

First of all I have searched the forums and did not really find what I am looking for. Also checked links regarding Thai law, there are only criminal laws.

Could someone ,please, shade some light on what are the real threats for tourists ? Like this guy just being arrested for wearing t-shirt " Peace please".

Does it mean that if you get, lets say, in dispute with someone (bike accident, or any other small issue for that matter) they can arrest you without warrant? Then just sentence you in the way they want?

Where I can read - what the martial law implies? I read on Wiki, but it doesnt really go in details on what one can and can not do.

Am I right to think, that they can do what they want without any court warrants or court hearings?

[David48]

Hi there SportyGuy ... welcome to ThaiVisa ... Great first post.

We are just humble folk here, enjoying the lifestyle that Thailand has to offer.

Suggest you ask in the Ask the Lawyer Forum ... here.

Or read the News Articles in the Thailand News Forum.

As for me ... I'm off for a coffee ...

[SportyGuy]

Hey David. Thanks for reply.

I read many news articles, but it doesnt really go into detail of what the Martial Law is. So I am wondering if anyone is actually aware of it.

Would be useful info to know.

Its not really a question to a lawyer, but rather a general awareness of the situation at present, logically some people shall know under which law they currently live ( or so I think at least)

Thanks again

[Roadman]

You could google the 2457 Thai Martial Law Act fot the legal document in English to see what the laws are.

But in reality just stay clear of Khun Sombat Boonngamonong's cat and mouse protest games with the military in Bangkok and you will be fine. Something the Belgium citizen you exampled with the T shirt did not have the brain power to do.

Edited to add the everyday things you quote are still just that - civil and criminal law. If you want to be politicial negligent then you will come under martial law jurisdiction which the Army is still bound under the Law quoted above. However I would not be wanting to put myself in front of a military court especially if they were having a bad hair day. And one last thought - the Thai army is the final judicator in Thailand whether people like that or not so if you did end up in front of one of their courts you would have sweet all rights. So go back to what the Belgium did not do - engage your brain (remember that same1st rule regards women for all incoming) and stay clear of politicial rallies.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Roadman

[namdocmai]

That Belgium should have known it is not smart to provoke the Thai army. He doesn't look very smart though and i wonder if he even paid for that shirt because the price and hanger are still on it.

Stay away from all protestors. It is very simple.

Don't provoke the army or the police or the protestors.

That Belgium guy tried to be a smartass and go in the lions den to provoke. He learned his lesson now i hope.

[cooked]

The only difference I have actually noticed are that the army check points are actually manned and checking (along the Cambodian border). I slept in Srirachah last night and although the back street where I was was relatively subdued, there were still people riding motorbikes well after midnight. Their comment: 'the curfew is not being applied off the main roads'.

[craigt3365]

There are several threads in the news forum that cover this. Easy to find. Just use the advanced search button, type in "martial law", click search in titles only, pick the Thailand news forum, and there you go. I think these are the most relevant:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727618-what-does-martial-law-mean-for-thailand/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727485-thailand-what-the-martial-law-entails/

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