BBC to fight for correspondent Jonathan Head's freedom in Thailand

[Skeptic7]

8 hours ago, fruitman said:

The BBC will get help from all their friends in other countries and it will be all over the newspapers for many months in row.

 

Thailand will not look good and many tourists will book their holidays elsewhere.

 

If that's what they want......

Hope so!

[TKDfella]

If JH loses in court I hope someone else will pick up the gauntlet and not let it rest. If he wins chickens will need to lay more 'egg' on overtime.

Edited February 26, 2017 by TKDfella

[tukkytuktuk]

I would like to say one more thing about Jonathan Head.
I might find his news reports bias and some of his opinions wrong but who am I to talk about him. Just a blogger hiding behind a username. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can join a forum and have a go at whoever they like without being identified.

I would like to say that if Jonathan reads this that he shouldn't worry. People talk differently on forums.

I also see that Jonathan has had his passport taken away. This is not nice. Why can't he travel? He hasn't murdered anyone.

Anyway, keep your chin up Jonathan. Don't let us forum bloggers get you down!

You see even the illiterate, dumb as dumb, thick as a plank, UK dole dodging , hopeless, trailer trash can have a banter about our Jonathan. Don't go full retard and read into it, cheers

[pattayadgw]

Go JH Go.... I'm right behind ya mate.......... this is totally absurd and only slings more mud in the eyes of those pursing it.... another tragedy, another nail in the countries coffin.

[Asiantravel]

3 hours ago, lucky11 said:

Not necessarily in this defamation case, but just his past views and distorted reports primarily to do with Thaksin and anything Pheu Thai or junta related. Anyone who defends a fugitive and supports what Yingluck did to the country deserves to have their journalist license taken away from them!!

Rather than shooting the messenger which is what you seem to be encouraging, wouldn't it be more constructive to concentrate   on the gravity of the story Jonathan Head was trying to expose to the world about property fraud in Phuket.

Do you know anything about the story he was covering in this instance?

One of the victims of this fraud was a retired Chartered  Surveyor from the UK who had specialised in property matters in England his whole life and had obviously done quite well managing to tuck away £2 million which he brought with him to Phuket to buy properties and start a business there. He has also effectively had his passport taken away and is now virtually living destitute in Bangkok ( after receiving death threats if he didn't move away from the island ) because he is not allowed to like leave the country either until the case is over just like Jonathan Head.

 I think that's what we should be discussing rather than your particular prejudices.

Edited February 26, 2017 by Asiantravel

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, oobar said:

Correct.  I own a 300 square meter house on two rai of land with a 30/60 year paid-up lease and Right of Superficies. 

Yes but you don't own the land and that's what the op was referring to.

[AGareth2]

1 hour ago, oobar said:

Correct.  I own a 300 square meter house on two rai of land with a 30/60 year paid-up lease and Right of Superficies. 

what if someone forged your signature?

would you remain silent?

Edited February 26, 2017 by AGareth2

[wakeupplease]

There are some seriously miss informed biased and brain dead people on this thread today. Jonathan Head will stay and fight to prove his story was truthful. We all know it was and Ian (co defendant) was ripped off by a lawyer as many do in certain parts of the world.

 

The s..m lawyer admitted what he did and even under Thai law it was illegal. But Lawyers in certain neck of the woods do it to make corrupt money, some even sell their clients defence documents to the other side, so this alone says the quality of many of the lawyers.

 

The CCA is an insult to everyone living within its borders and of late they have tried to enlarge those border to cover all countries of the world. Under CCA if a tourist comes there, has a bad hotel and goes home and puts a comment on Trip Advisor or Trust Pilot or the likes then returns to LOS within 10 years, they could be arrested if the owners of the said hotel see's the comment and makes a complaint to the bib.

 

This is the problem, it costs them (owner/complainant) nothing to get the case to court as BIB do it. That is why half the time the BIB don"t have time to anything else as so many cases going on as many locals use it to make money IE compensation.

 

The law brakes all human rights and is only there to shut people up and no more.

 

The Embassy will not issue a travel document if the passport has been seized. But remind the Embassy of an event in the 1940's. See if you can find out what that was.

 

Leaving  with out a passport, yes if you know how very easy to do.

 

BBC

The BBC is the biggest broadcasting network in the world and possible the most respected. It will not before the court has heard the case say much as it would be accused of bias by those involved. If it goes against Jonathan and Ian, even after the appeals then you can bet it will say something and the rest of the networks will back them that is for sure.

 

GDP

Was it not 17.9% and that is the money you see, not double that which ends up as cash in restaurants, shops and so on. So if a country looses that big problems will hit very quickly. It will if this story and many others starts to get told worldwide? So if the BBC and the others started pushing other countries as a better destination for tourists, you know what will happen. Look what happened in Tunisia when the publicity started, different story but you should see the likeness. Its empty now and never will get the tourists back. Spain Portugal on the same lines. Two countries in Asia are going to be massive over the next two years, we can see it starting here now.

 

There are two options very close that offer better deals right now and no double pricing.

 

It is a great country but sadly misinformed and under educated (for a reason).

 

If the CCA was kicked out the PM would get his wish Low Corruption and it would be done in 1 year, until then it is one of the most C in the world.

 

Little Britian

Much safer to live here, deaths on the roads, less in a year that in another country I can think of has in a month. Police and judicial system 98.5% corruption free. If I want to call Boris Johnson (Minster) an idiot on line I can. If I want to fly to another country in Asia the ticket price for a return is £550, but buy a ticket your end and it may cost £665 one way (It Did). Food a little more expensive but you know its full history and what it is (Trading Standards). We also have in every home, water you can drink from the tap and can have a shower as many times a day as you want and never unless a pipe brakes unavailable. So I do not have to go 4 days without washing.

 

The only thing I miss is the TShrts and Shorts, but summers coming and no Mosquitoes sucking my blood, or others. Little Britain lets keep it that way.

 

These are facts, Google them if you wish, maybe some cannot do that as to off their heads in one-way or another.

 

just to make you happy its cold today so have to have a big coat on outside, but heating on and warm inside.

 

Have a good evening Good Luck to J&I

Edited February 26, 2017 by wakeupplease

[Asiantravel]

1 hour ago, wakeupplease said:

There are some seriously miss informed biased and brain dead people on this thread today. Jonathan Head will stay and fight to prove his story was truthful. We all know it was and Ian (co defendant) was ripped off by a lawyer as many do in certain parts of the world.

 

The s..m lawyer admitted what he did and even under Thai law it was illegal. But Lawyers in certain neck of the woods do it to make corrupt money, some even sell their clients defence documents to the other side, so this alone says the quality of many of the lawyers.

 

The CCA is an insult to everyone living within its borders and of late they have tried to enlarge those border to cover all countries of the world. Under CCA if a tourist comes there, has a bad hotel and goes home and puts a comment on Trip Advisor or Trust Pilot or the likes then returns to LOS within 10 years, they could be arrested if the owners of the said hotel see's the comment and makes a complaint to the bib.

 

This is the problem, it costs them (owner/complainant) nothing to get the case to court as BIB do it. That is why half the time the BIB don"t have time to anything else as so many cases going on as many locals use it to make money IE compensation.

 

The law brakes all human rights and is only there to shut people up and no more.

 

The Embassy will not issue a travel document if the passport has been seized. But remind the Embassy of an event in the 1940's. See if you can find out what that was.

 

Leaving  with out a passport, yes if you know how very easy to do.

 

BBC

The BBC is the biggest broadcasting network in the world and possible the most respected. It will not before the court has heard the case say much as it would be accused of bias by those involved. If it goes against Jonathan and Ian, even after the appeals then you can bet it will say something and the rest of the networks will back them that is for sure.

 

GDP

Was it not 17.9% and that is the money you see, not double that which ends up as cash in restaurants, shops and so on. So if a country looses that big problems will hit very quickly. It will if this story and many others starts to get told worldwide? So if the BBC and the others started pushing other countries as a better destination for tourists, you know what will happen. Look what happened in Tunisia when the publicity started, different story but you should see the likeness. Its empty now and never will get the tourists back. Spain Portugal on the same lines. Two countries in Asia are going to be massive over the next two years, we can see it starting here now.

 

There are two options very close that offer better deals right now and no double pricing.

 

It is a great country but sadly misinformed and under educated (for a reason).

 

If the CCA was kicked out the PM would get his wish Low Corruption and it would be done in 1 year, until then it is one of the most C in the world.

 

Little Britian

Much safer to live here, deaths on the roads, less in a year that in another country I can think of has in a month. Police and judicial system 98.5% corruption free. If I want to call Boris Johnson (Minster) an idiot on line I can. If I want to fly to another country in Asia the ticket price for a return is £550, but buy a ticket your end and it may cost £665 one way (It Did). Food a little more expensive but you know its full history and what it is (Trading Standards). We also have in every home, water you can drink from the tap and can have a shower as many times a day as you want and never unless a pipe brakes unavailable. So I do not have to go 4 days without washing.

 

The only thing I miss is the TShrts and Shorts, but summers coming and no Mosquitoes sucking my blood, or others. Little Britain lets keep it that way.

 

These are facts, Google them if you wish, maybe some cannot do that as to off their heads in one-way or another.

 

just to make you happy its cold today so have to have a big coat on outside, but heating on and warm inside.

 

Have a good evening Good Luck to J&I

" BBC

The BBC is the biggest broadcasting network in the world and possible the most respected. It will not before the court has heard the case say much as it would be accused of bias by those involved. If it goes against Jonathan and Ian, even after the appeals then you can bet it will say something and the rest of the networks will back them that is for sure "

 

at that stage I hope they do a one hour full expose (there is plenty of material) on Panorama and beam it around the globe on BBC World hopefully including their Indian,Chinese and Russian services. By the time people around the world learn what happened to the two victims in Phuket and then Jonathan Head -himself T-shirts and shorts is all that  people want to buy here.certainly not real estate! Anything that doesn't involve signing something and entering into a so-called contract. ,

Edited February 26, 2017 by Asiantravel

[the guest]

BBC have zero influence in Thailand. Since it's now public, then the law must be followed.

Can't see how the journalist will not be able to avoid justice.

[newcomer71]

6 minutes ago, the guest said:

BBC have zero influence in Thailand. Since it's now public, then the law must be followed.

Can't see how the journalist will not be able to avoid justice.

See the way things are I'd have put "injustice" as last word...

[wakeupplease]

1 hour ago, the guest said:

BBC have zero influence in Thailand. Since it's now public, then the law must be followed.

Can't see how the journalist will not be able to avoid justice.

You might say that is one country that has no influence in the world and newcomer71 said it as it is

[joecoolfrog]

10 hours ago, tukkytuktuk said:

I've been on twitter for years now and have followed@pakhead for a while. As well as many other journos and expat bloggers.

 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/964119-mummy-when-i-grow-up-can-i-organize-a-coup/

I implyed that Richard Barrow, Jerome Taylor and Jonathan Head are anti junta red shirt followers.

And a few posters agreed with me.

And the other 95% of posters probably dont agree with you ,  so what is your point ?

[joecoolfrog]

9 hours ago, chrisyork said:

Thailand's tourism industry counts for, at most, 10% of GDP. Let's keep the importance of western visitors in perspective......

I think last week it was reported as currently 17% , possibly an exageration but exports are down so tourism is getting more important.

[joecoolfrog]

3 hours ago, the guest said:

BBC have zero influence in Thailand. Since it's now public, then the law must be followed.

Can't see how the journalist will not be able to avoid justice.

Adherence to the law does not always equate to justice , in any country !

[Khun Han]

Anyway, I strongly suspect that this is a "go away Jonathan Head" move on the part of the powers-that-be, as happened with the last government sponsored by the traditional establishment. Jonathan's wasting his time in Thailand at the moment. It's the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

[Thongkorn]

6 hours ago, AGareth2 said:

what if someone forged your signature?

would you remain silent?

This has been done many times by Unscrupulous people. Big money men after cheap land or Money lenders, My wife owns land and a house, But her chanut is kept in a safe place well locked up,

[jacko45k]

20 hours ago, Lingba said:

so he is simply speaking about what exists and gets thrown in jail?

Yes, understand what the defamation law means in reality.

[katana]

One way I can see this playing out is that Head will be given his passport back at some time after applying to the Phuket court for it under the guise of work outside Thailand. He will then decide discretion is the better part of valour with the system stacked so heavily against him and not return. The court won't file for extradition and the case will lie dormant.
Which is most probably what the Thai authorities want anyway rather than an embarrassing court case picked up by the world media.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts about Thaksin have been removed as well as the replies. 

[LannaGuy]

16 hours ago, sandgroper2 said:

What did i say  that is civil and not criminal?? Where did i say  that you cant tell the truth and still be sued???  You have to get up  in the morning a lot earlier to get one over me.

yup you're as smart as they come I'll set my alarm clock a bit earlier  

[Baerboxer]

22 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

But in the US, you don't go to jail for exposing things like cigarettes are bad for you.  Here, it might land you in jail.

 

Zero comparison between Snowden.  That's off topic, but no comparison.  It's a slam on what Mr. Head is trying to do.  Legally.

 

No it won't. I have friends who work for the anti smoking lobby. No problem at all.

 

 

[craigt3365]

6 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

No it won't. I have friends who work for the anti smoking lobby. No problem at all.

 

 

I know somebody who was sued for sending a nasty email!  Seriously!  Person was connected to a high ranking Thai cop and took legal action against the sender.  As you well know, anything is possible here.

[Baerboxer]

15 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

I know somebody who was sued for sending a nasty email!  Seriously!  Person was connected to a high ranking Thai cop and took legal action against the sender.  As you well know, anything is possible here.

 

Yes, but that would have been specific. If you no someone in authority you can get things done like that. They'll dig and get something and laws are often vague enough; plus that old caveat that the officers have discretion!

 

There is a much bigger cultural differences than we sometimes remember. Taking anything for granted is a big risk here.

 

 

[lucky11]

18 hours ago, Asiantravel said:

Rather than shooting the messenger which is what you seem to be encouraging, wouldn't it be more constructive to concentrate   on the gravity of the story Jonathan Head was trying to expose to the world about property fraud in Phuket.

Do you know anything about the story he was covering in this instance?

One of the victims of this fraud was a retired Chartered  Surveyor from the UK who had specialised in property matters in England his whole life and had obviously done quite well managing to tuck away £2 million which he brought with him to Phuket to buy properties and start a business there. He has also effectively had his passport taken away and is now virtually living destitute in Bangkok ( after receiving death threats if he didn't move away from the island ) because he is not allowed to like leave the country either until the case is over just like Jonathan Head.

 I think that's what we should be discussing rather than your particular prejudices.

This chartered surveyor should have kept the money he had and stopped trying to make more. No sympathy for him I'm afraid. Greed is (not) good. JH should concentrate on matters that affect society (in an impartial way) and not about some greedy so-and-so who clearly didn't do his homework and was out of his depth!! 

Edited February 27, 2017 by lucky11

[newcomer71]

3 minutes ago, lucky11 said:

This chartered surveyor should have kept the money he had and stopped trying to make more. No sympathy for him I'm afraid. Greed is (not) good. JH should concentrate on matters that affect society (in an impartial way) and not about some greedy so-and-so who clearly didn't do his homework and was out of his depth!! 

You can't be serious... Tell me you're trolling please...

[lucky11]

Just now, newcomer71 said:

You can't be serious... Tell me you're trolling please...

I'm very serious - I hate globalism and greedy people as well as biased impartial reporters. So not trolling at all.

If a multi millionaire is burgled and has 10 million pounds worth of jewels stolen then I don't have any sympathy - do you?

[sandgroper2]

4 hours ago, LannaGuy said:

yup you're as smart as they come I'll set my alarm clock a bit earlier  

Thank you. spoken like a man. Cheers.

[AGareth2]

5 minutes ago, lucky11 said:

I'm very serious - I hate globalism and greedy people as well as biased impartial reporters. So not trolling at all.

If a multi millionaire is burgled and has 10 million pounds worth of jewels stolen then I don't have any sympathy - do you?

jealous?

[newcomer71]

5 minutes ago, lucky11 said:

I'm very serious - I hate globalism and greedy people as well as biased impartial reporters. So not trolling at all.

If a multi millionaire is burgled and has 10 million pounds worth of jewels stolen then I don't have any sympathy - do you?

So your hate is because you are jealous of what the guys had and had been stolen from him... I am at loss of words.

About Jonathan Head I won't even comment because you have been perfectly clear about your position, with which I don't agree  at all.