Phuket journalists’ verdict date slated for September
The Phuket News


Alan Morison, 67, and Chutima Sidasathian, 34, will hear the verdict in their case on September 1.

PHUKET: -- Following three days of hearing testimony last week, the Phuket Provincial Court has set September 1 as the scheduled date for handing down its verdict for the criminal charges brought against Phuketwan journalists Alan Morison, 67, and Chutima Sidasathian, 34.

Both face charges of defamation, which is a criminal charge in Thailand, and with offences under the Computer Crimes Act. If found guilty they could face up to two years in prison for defamation and five years for breaching the Computer Crimes Act, as well as a B100,000 fine.

The charges were formally brought to trial after a complaint filed by the Royal Thai Navy. The complaint relates to an article published by on the Phuketwan website in July last year.

The article quoted an investigation by the Reuters news agency, which alleged that some members of the military were involved in trafficking Muslim Rohingya refugees who had fled Myanmar.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-journalists-verdict-date-slated-for-september-53273.php


-- Phuket News 2015-07-20

And why aren't they going directly after Reuters if this is such a serious offense? I guess we all know why ...

Who doesn't believe they already know what the verdict will be. The time delay is to make it appear they put a great deal of thought into their decision. This is all theatrics.

They really know how to make friends in the global community.

The prosecution failed to turn up with two days of the hearing left, about to lose face me think.

September? September? Somebody gonna go on vacation for August?

Are they out on bail? I certainly hope so.

Not the same as the 2 boys.

Judge on vacation?

Just wondering if bringing the question forward to the UN would do any good. Yes, I know there is no power there in this case...other than the court of public opinion. I think we might discern the outcome of the Thai bid for a seat on the Security Council at this time. Of course this is the reason Thailand and China have a basic similar outlook on matters like this...it's an internal matter (international reporting or South China Sea questions).

Its just thailand showing how primitive it is, thainess at its best, let the human rights issue slide further down the tier, to the red card , you have this, andy hall and the fruit saga along side the circus on koh tao, should be enough for the USA and EU to lower them down to the bottom of the pile, where prayut and his clowns belong.