British journalist carrying flak jacket plates charged with arms possession in Bangkok

[webfact]

British journalist carrying flak jacket plates charged with arms possession in Bangkok

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A British journalist was charged with arms possession on Tuesday after being arrested at a Thai airport for checking in flak jacket plates and gas masks, standard equipment for media heading into war zones and other hostile environments.

 

Anthony Cheng, 46, and German freelance journalist Florian Witulski were detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday, before they could board a flight to Iraq via Turkey for an assignment for China-based broadcaster CCTV English.

 

Thailand's Arms Control Act stipulates that gas masks and ballistic vests are war weapons and those carrying them need a licence.

 

In August 2015, a Hong Kong photojournalist was arrested at the same airport for carrying body armour and a helmet. Charges were later dropped.

 

Cheng was carrying three gas masks and four plates for safety vests, said Somchart Maneerat, a police investigator.

 

"He faces a charge of unlicensed possession of war weapons," Somchart told Reuters, adding that he faced up to five years in prison if found guilty.

 

Cheng was released on bail of 100,000 baht ($2,930) on Tuesday. Witulski, 31, was released early on Tuesday.

 

Witulski told Reuters the men were not aware that licences were required for the safety gear.

 

"The plates were loose and were taken as check-in baggage, as we have done before many times," Witulski said, adding that he and Cheng had travelled to Iraq and Afghanistan several times carrying plates, without being stopped by Thai authorities.

 

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand urged Thai authorities to drop the charge against Cheng, saying it has offered to work with the government to allow journalists to carry protective equipment.

 

"Under the present implementation of the 1987 law, they are presented with an invidious choice: break Thai law or increase the risk to life and limb," the body said in a statement.

 

"It is worth recalling that two foreign journalists were killed in the violence in Bangkok in 2010; both might have survived had they been wearing body armour."

 

In 2010, Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto and Italian freelance photographer Fabio Polenghi were shot dead, while covering clashes between anti-government protesters and Thai troops in the capital.

 

($1=34.15 baht)

 

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat, Amy Sawitta Lefevre, and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Nick Macfie and Clarence Fernandez)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-01

[rmacee]

No understanding ..only bloody minded money spinning opportunity ...

[The Deerhunter]

What price common sense?

[KhunBENQ]

Common sense in Thailand

[JAG]

What price common sense?

I rather suspect that "price" is the most relevant factor...

[JAG]

They will cut their own throats. when this sort of stupidity gets about then those who have to travel on business will simply stop transiting through Bangkok.
There are, if you will forgive the term, other hubs!

[Kabula]

This article reminded me why I no longer fly!

 

Most everything can be considered a weapon!

 

Even a rolled up newspaper.

[fruitman]

So if i bring steel plates which fit in pockets of my jacket i will get arrested?

[chainarong]

Maybe came to cover a student up rising..................................................

[hansnl]

45 minutes ago, Kabula said:

This article reminded me why I no longer fly!

 

Most everything can be considered a weapon!

 

Even a rolled up newspaper.

And it is, just like a book, a box of matches, a plastic fork (very nasty).

That said, I rather think journalists travelling to war zones, and only changing planes, should not be arrested for possession of "war weapons".

But who am I?

[Emster23]

In case any one was wondering what "beyond stupid" would be like, this example should suffice

[Prbkk]

And this in a country in which any number of street vendors could provide switchblade knives, samurai swords, those ninja star things and the chains with swinging handles ( sounds like numbskull chuckers?). Probably still can provide them if you ask nicely and pay enough.

[JAG]

No doubt a orice will be suggested.
And the geese (that lay the golden eggs) will shuffle nearer the abattoir entrance.

[WhizBang]

How can carrying PROTECTIVE gear (vest/gas mask) be considered a war WEAPON?

 

Thai stupidity at it's finest. 

[wakeupplease]

One way of bringing much needed cash into the country, The bib do very little to contain the horrifying local crime that is increasing by the day yet arrest two guys in transit who are reporters off to a war zone who need the items to help them stay a bit safer if that is possible there.

 

Totally nuts and brain dead, you get more sense talking to a brick wall that some of the idiots who run the country.

 

Treat stupid as stupid, better still sit back and laugh at their childish actions.

[wakeupplease]

29 minutes ago, WhizBang said:

How can carrying PROTECTIVE gear (vest/gas mask) be considered a war WEAPON?

 

Thai stupidity at it's finest. 

How wold they know anyhow, never been involved in one

[Prbkk]

1 hour ago, Emster23 said:

In case any one was wondering what "beyond stupid" would be like, this example should suffice

Yes, spot on...even in this hub of dumb decisions this one is a doozy.

[yellowboat]

Control freaks who are brain dead.  They are defensive.  How are they a war weapon more so than a car or truck ?

[YetAnother]

absolutely pathetic; if i knew what i now know about this place....

[just.a.thought]

It makes no sense at all......

[Stargeezr]

These people are journilists and headed for Iraq, so why are they getting charged in Thailand?  Does Thailand not know that there is

fighting going on in Iraq, Syria, Libya etc. Get out of the stone age Thailand and into the 21 century with the rest of us.

Silly people

Geezer

[wakeupplease]

6 hours ago, YetAnother said:

absolutely pathetic; if i knew what i now know about this place....

You would never have entered its borders.

[hathairat2711]

Quentin Sommerville‏Verified account @sommervillebbc  1h1 hour ago

More

Thanks to @FCCThai : body armour is essential & Thailand shouldn't prosecute journos for having it. @TLCBkk @vaitor @nikcam12 @pakhead

[Na Lee]

Hoorray Party Time again another sucker will pay that.

[roamer]

I suppose there is some kind of logic to body armour being illegal. However, only in countries where it is sometimes necessary to shoot the populace. 

[surangw]

considered   a  military munitions item,  not allowed to import or export.

[Laab Muu]

It's like going to Kentucky and carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket, you just wouldn't have known it was illegal.

[Salerno]

2 hours ago, roamer said:

I suppose there is some kind of logic to body armour being illegal. However, only in countries where it is sometimes necessary to shoot the populace. 

Like certain areas of Australia?