Thailand drops case against HK photographer carrying flak jacket

[snoop1130]

Thailand drops case against HK photographer carrying flak jacket
By Coconuts Bangkok

Hong Kong photojournalist Anthony Kwan Hok-chun. Photo: AFP

BANGKOK -- Thailand has dropped charges against a Hong Kong photographer who was arrested last year for bringing in a bulletproof vest and helmet.

Hong Kong photojournalist Anthony Kwan Hok-chun was arrested on Aug. 23 for carrying the body armor in his hand luggage, which are considered weapons in Thailand.

Kwan, who had traveled to Thailand to cover the aftermath of the Erawan shrine bombing, was charged with breaching the Arms Control Act, which can carry a jail term of up to five years.

Full Story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/03/08/thailand-drops-case-against-hk-photographer-carrying-flak-jacket

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2016-03-08

[Hawk]

The police should never have charged him in the first place. Absolute morons.

[andersonat]

My understanding is that it is (currently) against the Arms Control Act to possess a flak-jacket in Thailand.

Since Mr Anthony Kwan Hok-Chun was found to have one in his possession, he clearly broke the law - so why would the Prosecution drop the case ?

Is the Prosecution not tasked with prosecuting those who are found to break the law ? Or does it pick-and-chose which laws to prosecute, and which not to ? If it is the latter, perhaps they could inform the Public about which laws they don't intend to prosecute.

[LannaGuy]

My understanding is that it is (currently) against the Arms Control Act to possess a flak-jacket in Thailand.

Since Mr Anthony Kwan Hok-Chun was found to have one in his possession, he clearly broke the law - so why would the Prosecution drop the case ?

Is the Prosecution not tasked with prosecuting those who are found to break the law ? Or does it pick-and-chose which laws to prosecute, and which not to ? If it is the latter, perhaps they could inform the Public about which laws they don't intend to prosecute.

highly intelligent post well done! arms control? a jacket to protect against arms? this 'de rigueur' for journalists ???

[casualbiker]

My understanding is that it is (currently) against the Arms Control Act to possess a flak-jacket in Thailand.

Since Mr Anthony Kwan Hok-Chun was found to have one in his possession, he clearly broke the law - so why would the Prosecution drop the case ?

Is the Prosecution not tasked with prosecuting those who are found to break the law ? Or does it pick-and-chose which laws to prosecute, and which not to ? If it is the latter, perhaps they could inform the Public about which laws they don't intend to prosecute.

highly intelligent post well done! arms control? a jacket to protect against arms? this 'de rigueur' for journalists ???

The poster you seem to be ridiculing is actually correct about why the case was filed.. If you had ridiculed the law rather than the poster then you would also be correct.. Saying that many countries and even some US states require a license for a bullet proof vest!

[webfact]

topic runs here:

Thailand drops case against HK journalist over flak jacket

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/901324-thailand-drops-case-against-hk-journalist-over-flak-jacket/

//CLOSED//