British rights activist sues Thai authorities

[webfact]

British rights activist sues Thai authorities

REUTERS

 

British rights activist Andy Hall leaves the Bangkok South Criminal Court after hearing the court verdict on charges of defamation and computer crimes over a report on alleged ill-treatment of migrants, in Bangkok, Thailand September 20, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A British rights activist filed lawsuits on Wednesday against Thai authorities and a major Thai fruit producer, accusing them of unlawful prosecution over a 2014 criminal defamation case against him which had been thrown out of court.

 

Rights activist Andy Hall has been involved in high-profile legal battles since the publication in 2013 of a report he researched for Finnish group Finnwatch on the treatment of migrant workers by Natural Fruit Company, Thailand's biggest producer of tinned pineapples.

 

Last year, he was found guilty of criminal defamation over the report and given a suspended three-year jail term in a case that alarmed rights groups who feared that it could set a precedent for the use of similar charges against others.

 

Hall's lawsuits relate to a separate criminal defamation case over comments he gave to Al-Jazeera television. That case was thrown out by the supreme court last year on the grounds that he was in Myanmar when he gave the interview.

 

In Hall's lawsuits, he accuses Natural Fruit, nine state prosecutors, and a senior police officer of wrongful and malicious exercise of their duty. He also accuses Natural Fruit of giving false information to authorities.

 

"I must defend myself against an unlawful prosecution and judicial harassment," Hall said in a statement from Brussels. He left Thailand last year.

 

Natural Fruit's lawyer, Somsak Torugsa, who was also accused along with the firm, told Reuters he was not worried.

 

"We're all innocent. I'll fight it and I'll file a counter suit," Somsak said, without giving more details.

 

Somnuek Siangkong, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, told Reuters he could not comment as he has not seen a copy of the lawsuit.

 

The senior police officer said he had no comment.

 

Hall also faced civil defamation cases over both the report and the television interview.

Thailand, one of the world's key food exporters, employs an estimated 3 million migrant workers, mostly from neighbouring Myanmar.

 

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-31

 

[clockman]

This should be interesting?

[simon43]

Fortunate that he is not in Thailand now.

[Chris Lawrence]

A bright light that should never go out. Hope he gets back.

[darksidedog]

That's the only bright spark in the otherwise abysmal defamation and CCA crimes, is that if you win the first case, you can counter sue with a good chance of winning. And good luck to him with that!

Edited May 31, 2017 by darksidedog

[Jonathan Fairfield]

*gets popcorn*

[Moonmoon]

2 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

*gets popcorn*

*gets the sodas* 

[jvs]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Fortunate that he is not in Thailand now.

Yes,very wise

 

 

[colinneil]

Good on you mate, just a word of caution..... Watch your back....

[IMA_FARANG]

In Thailand a defamation suit is NOT based on the truth or falseness  of  the  statement, it is only based on whether the statement does damage to the person it applies to.

Hence, if you make a slanderous statement about a public figure or corporation in Thailand that is actually correct, you still can be sued for defamation.

 

 

[11223344]

4 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Joke of a law. 

Protection of "face" on steroids

[Machiavelli]

6 hours ago, Moonmoon said:

*gets the sodas* 

 

6 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

*gets popcorn*

*gets the ice*

[Thongkorn]

41 minutes ago, Machiavelli said:

 

*gets the ice*

Goes for a red \Bull, Sorry forgot he is not in Thailand, 

[Rc2702]

Stay away from pineapples whatever you do.

[TheLobster]

Quote

Natural Fruit's lawyer, Somsak Torugsa, who was also accused along with the firm, told Reuters he was not worried. "We're all innocent. I'll fight it and I'll file a counter suit," Somsak said, without giving more details.

555 we can't lose face, we'll have to counter.

 

Well done Andy Hall

[stephenterry]

I don't hold out much hope for Andy winning these law suits. Waste of time and money. After all, he's not a Thai, and they'll milk him all the way to the Supreme court.

[phantomfiddler]

In situations where you cannot win, just pop a cold beer and forget about it :)

[Loaded]

This thread is going to be open for many years. I might even pass it on to my grandchildren.

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, simon43 said:

Fortunate that he is not in Thailand now.

Probably for the best knowing how Thai 'justice' is dispensed!

[BlindMagician]

9 hours ago, Machiavelli said:

 

*gets the ice*

*gets the Drumpf*

[mikebell]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

nine state prosecutors, and a senior police officer of wrongful and malicious exercise of their duty.

I wish you every success in this venture, Andy.  Next mount your charger and tilt at some windmills.

[Luckysilk]

Mr. Hall unless you have very deep deep deep pockets I'd suggest you sue in the UK.

 

You'll win and I'm sure these folks have assests in the UK, get yourself a High Court Writ and nail them on your home turf.

[Barbara]

I wish Andy Hall the very best of luck.

I have also been through the defamation charge scenario (for speaking the truth I might add) and remain "on the run". 

Yes it is true that "if you make a slanderous statement about a public figure or corporation in Thailand that is actually correct, you still can be sued for defamation", though the law does state that if what you say can be shown to be true then there is no case to answer. However, that still means having to work through the corrupt processes of the police force, the legal profession and the judiciary....

[4MyEgo]

11 hours ago, Machiavelli said:

 

*gets the ice*

 

17 hours ago, Moonmoon said:

*gets the sodas* 

 

18 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

*gets popcorn*

*gets the years of chasing his tail*

[Jonmarleesco]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

'Natural Fruit's lawyer, Somsak Torugsa, who was also accused along with the firm, told Reuters ... "We're all innocent ...'

And he believes that? Or he's uttering the lawyer's default defence?

Edited June 1, 2017 by Jonmarleesco

[Jonmarleesco]

3 hours ago, Barbara said:

I wish Andy Hall the very best of luck.

I have also been through the defamation charge scenario (for speaking the truth I might add) and remain "on the run". 

Yes it is true that "if you make a slanderous statement about a public figure or corporation in Thailand that is actually correct, you still can be sued for defamation", though the law does state that if what you say can be shown to be true then there is no case to answer. However, that still means having to work through the corrupt processes of the police force, the legal profession and the judiciary....

' "if you make a slanderous statement about a public figure or corporation in Thailand that is actually correct ...' A slanderous statement isn't true (correct). Thailand's wonderful system is also aimed at non-slanderous (true) statements.

[William C F Pierce]

Buddhism "Thou shalt not lie." Andy Hall should pursue it every bit of the way. Truth does matter. Not those with the gutlessness to accept everything in Thailand as right and hide in the background. To see Andy Hall succeed would be the start of getting fairer treatment and a hope of unfair laws being changed. It does no harm to stand up and be counted. Accepting injustice is what does harm to all of us.

[Basil B]

Best of luck Andy...

 

But me think you already know how corrupt Thailand's judicial system is, you will never win, but hopefully you will bring it to the attention of the rest of the world how corrupt the Thai Justice is.

 

[Basil B]

Finally defined Thainess

 

[wakeupplease]

On 01/06/2017 at 3:44 AM, Barbara said:

I wish Andy Hall the very best of luck.

I have also been through the defamation charge scenario (for speaking the truth I might add) and remain "on the run". 

Yes it is true that "if you make a slanderous statement about a public figure or corporation in Thailand that is actually correct, you still can be sued for defamation", though the law does state that if what you say can be shown to be true then there is no case to answer. However, that still means having to work through the corrupt processes of the police force, the legal profession and the judiciary....

You are so so right Barbara

 

It is time that someone picks up the manta and starts to highlight this corrupt law and way of life, I met a few corrupt BIB, BKS Attorneys and a lawyer who thought he could get away wilth selling my docs to the other side. At this time they have, but the clock is ticking and one morning very soon they will see themselves s as they are on there own dedicated channel that screens to the world.

 

CCA may work within the border but outside has no power what so ever.

 

You said "on the run", I ask from what not a corrupt law like the CCA, you cannot be worried about that can you? hope you out if not PM me and keep well