Thai Navy gives up fight against Australian Alan Morison

[webfact]

Thai Navy gives up fight against Australian Alan Morison
Lindsay Murdoch

Bangkok: Thailand's navy has decided against appealing a court's decision to throw out defamation charges against Australian journalist Alan Morison and his Thai colleague Chutima Sidasathian.

Morison, 67, says the decision has "vindicated" reporting on Rohingya Muslim boat people in his onine news service Phuketwan.

The Royal Thai Navy had for two years pursued charges that could have seen Morison, a former senior Age editor, and Chutima, a reporter on Phuketwan, jailed for up to seven years.

The charges related to one paragraph referring to "Thai naval forces" allegedly having knowledge of the smuggling of Rohingya, who have been described by the United Nations as among the world's most persecuted people.

Phuketwan republished the paragraph in 2013 from a Reuters' series of stories that won the international news agency a Pulitzer Prize.

Full story: http://www.theage.com.au/world/thai-navy-gives-up-fight-against-australian-alan-morison-20150922-gjsqzy


-- The Age 2015-09-23

[CiaranO]

Well i see the navy has acquired some common sense - I guess the loss of face from the first verdict was enough.

[JoePai]

Morison should now sue the Thai Navy for deformation

[Mango Bob]

Now they can spend their time trying to convince the government they really need a submarine.

[thesetat2013]

Sounds like after such a long fight to prosecute this guy that they gave up fairly easy. It is unlike then not to appeal the decision from the court. Perhaps their was some persuasion from someone high enough to make them accept such a loss of face.

[borisloosebrain]

Morison should now sue the Thai Navy for deformation

He doesn't look like he's been deformed

[anto]

>>Morison should now sue the Thai Navy for deformation <<

It will cost far more than its worth in time and money .Let him get on with his life .

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Alan. Avoid balconies.

[GarryP]

Sounds like after such a long fight to prosecute this guy that they gave up fairly easy. It is unlike then not to appeal the decision from the court. Perhaps their was some persuasion from someone high enough to make them accept such a loss of face.

Perhaps the fact that a number of members of the armed forces, including the navy, have recently been arrested for involvement in trafficking could be another reason.

[toybits]

The UN General Assembly got something to do with this???

[MrJohnson]

Perhaps some real justice in Thailand. Just for a change.

[billd766]

Sounds like after such a long fight to prosecute this guy that they gave up fairly easy. It is unlike then not to appeal the decision from the court. Perhaps their was some persuasion from someone high enough to make them accept such a loss of face.

I am in agreement with you and there are very few people in Thailand with enough to drop a "subtle" hint.

This was started a couple of years ago before the current government came to power. Why didn't the previous government do or say something about it via the PM and DM (same person) at the time?

[CaptHaddock]

The news is not what it appears to be. The Thai Navy apparently still has other charges pending against Morrison. Sounds like a tactical shift.

[jacky54]

More like persecution than a 'fight'

[maidee]

almost put in jail for telling the truth, or reporting about it

there is that other law in place that could be put aside

[sendintheclowns]

You're right about there still being the possibility of further legal persecution. If there is, to be honest, I'd chip in a few quid for the defense legal fees. It's bad enough that Mr.Pineapple-Head continues to sue Andy Hall. It's time the Thai defamation laws were brought into line with the modern world. But who's going to push for change,? Inertia rules, here.

[Lorn]

Sounds like after such a long fight to prosecute this guy that they gave up fairly easy. It is unlike then not to appeal the decision from the court. Perhaps their was some persuasion from someone high enough to make them accept such a loss of face.

I am in agreement with you and there are very few people in Thailand with enough to drop a "subtle" hint.

This was started a couple of years ago before the current government came to power. Why didn't the previous government do or say something about it via the PM and DM (same person) at the time?

Because the previous government new that if it tried to tell the military and navy what to do, it would shorten the time until its inevitable demise?

[soalbundy]

Morison should now sue the Thai Navy for deformation

or get out quick while he has the chance

[Doc46]

He should now leave the country ,,,While he can,,,

[soalbundy]

Morison should now sue the Thai Navy for deformation

He doesn't look like he's been deformed

wait a few months, a quiet still night with no sound but the scream of a man committing suicide by jumping off an obsolete aircraft carrier.

[skildpadden]

The UN General Assembly got something to do with this???

That is quite likely as the PM will report on the human trafficking issue - some world leaders might ask some nasty questions on these issues (even though they are not Thai and don't understand), and we can't really have the Navy obstructing the application for that UNSC seat.

[whatawonderfulday]

And another another arm of the Thai fighting forces. There is only one phrase to sum them up "T hai's W ith T erminal S Tupidity"

[MaxLee]

Well i see the navy has acquired some common sense - I guess the loss of face from the first verdict was enough.

But now, the couple should watch out for secret staging killers luring at them while they are in Thailand.....

[Sam Jones]

Talk about Loss of Face for these Navy retards ...

[F4UCorsair]

Morison should now sue the Thai Navy for deformation

And after he's deformed (a balcony fall will do that), he can sue for defamation!

[Briggsy]

The Navy may have ordered a hit instead. Cheaper, more effective, more in line with Thai norms and more confusing for the international media who are not used to state entities engaging in assassinations with a smile.

Mr Morrison and Ms Sidasathian should start wearing bulletproof vests.

[sendintheclowns]

The Navy may have ordered a hit instead. Cheaper, more effective, more in line with Thai norms and more confusing for the international media who are not used to state entities engaging in assassinations with a smile.

Mr Morrison and Ms Sidasathian should start wearing bulletproof vests.

Make up with the US or Britain and get some training in drone warfare. Mini- drones, because A and C are not terrorists, only annoyances .

[ggt]

I don't know of anyone who thought the Navy had clean hands in this affair...

Navy personnel have been linked to the debacle recently...vindicating Australian Alan Morison...and making the Navy Brass look a bit un-shiny...

Nice try Navy...trying to deflect attention...better luck next time...

[MaiChai]

I should leave the country while he still has freedom. You can always pay lawyers in country to represent you. Ending up in jail by standing by your principles versus freedom; easy choice I think?

[BSJ]

Morison should now sue the Thai Navy for deformation

He doesn't look like he's been deformed

wait a few months, a quiet still night with no sound but the scream of a man committing suicide by jumping off an obsolete aircraft carrier.

I know from personal experience they do not allow farang on board the carrier....or maybe the MP understood English and got annoyed with me asking 'were are the plane? It's an aircraft carrier mate, surely you have some planes on board, yes???' so decided too stop me boarding!