Thailand drops case against HK journalist over flak jacket
NATTASUDA ANUSONADISAI, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — The Thai government has dropped a case against a Hong Kong photojournalist who was arrested last year for possessing a bulletproof vest and a helmet, which are considered weapons in Thailand, two court officials said Tuesday.

The government filed for withdrawing the charges against Hok Chun Anthony Kwan on Dec. 30, 2015, in the Samut Prakan provincial court where he was on trial, the court's officials told The Associated Press.

Kwan accepted the government stance and the court ended the case on Jan. 29, they said.

The officials cannot be identified under court protocol. It was not clear what prompted the change of heart in the government, which had faced criticism for punishing Kwan for possessing items that journalists routinely carry in dangerous situations.

Kwan, a dual national of Canada and Hong Kong, was detained when he was about to board a plane on Aug. 23 after covering the aftermath of a deadly bomb explosion at a shrine in Bangkok.

Kwan works for the Hong Kong-based Initium media group. He earlier worked on the Minnesota Daily newspaper while attending the University of Minnesota.

His lawyer, Pawinee Chumsri, said he pleaded not guilty to the charge of weapons possession after being indicted by the court. Pawinee confirmed on Tuesday that the case has been dropped. Kwan, who was freed on bail, was not immediately available for comment.

Under the Arms Control Act, a license is needed to possess body armor. Violations are punishable by up to five years in jail. The law has rarely if ever been enforced for journalists covering the country's sometimes-violent political turmoil over the past nine years. Many large news organizations require their staff to wear protective gear in dangerous situations.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-03-08

Sanity prevails. End of............

I'm very happy Thailand did this. It called taking the high road. Plus they looked stupid to the whole world. Now it just looks like a mistake and that's OK..

Till the next blunder

It appears to be very important to Thai law makers, to ensure that any civilian who gets shot really dies, or at least is severely maimed.

The officials cannot be identified under court protocol.

Interesting...

Common sense kicked in,but it does not happen often.

regards Worgeordie

Sanity prevails. End of............

Are you sure it was sanity that prevailed? More than likely something else contributed to their change in heart.

Im not so sure this was common sense kicking in rather a calculated position. They are making visa's for journalists a nightmare and international community has not responded glowingly about it.. why pursue a spurious endeavour with the flak jacket situation and risk giving international community more fodder for the fire......

How stupid was this?

A foreign journalist with a flak jacket, sensible man in my opinion.

Carrying a weapon how stupid of him protecting himself.

Remember during the Bangkok riots were journalists not wearing flak jackets?

Yes they were.

Now the foreign media are making THailand out to be a land of fools.

Dropping this action now is a bit late . It should never have been started.

they don want you to know who has lost face

The officials cannot be identified under court protocol.

Interesting...

Till the next blunder

Bridge, anyone?