Thais in UAE warned not to comment on conflict with Qatar

[webfact]

Thais in UAE warned not to comment on conflict with Qatar
By The Nation

 

Photo from Royal Thai Embassy Abu Dhabi Facebook.

 

The Thai embassy in United Arab Emirates has warned Thai expatriates living in the Middle East nation not to comment on the severance of ties between the UAE and Qatar to avoid facing severe penalties.

 

The embassy in Abu Dhabi posted the warning on its Facebook wall, saying the UAE government has announced a ban on comments or posts about the diplomatic crisis on social media.

 

The embassy said violators could be subject to a fine of 500,000 UAE dirhams or about Bt5 million and/or a jail term from three years to 15 years.

 

The embassy said Thais living in or visiting the UAE must strictly observe the ban.

 

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday and gave its citizens 14 days to leave, accusing Doha of supporting extremism. Qatar has denied the charges.

 

The UAE announced the ban on Wednesday.

 

“The UAE attorney-general warns that any participation in conversation on social media or any other means that demonstrates sympathy to Qatar or protests the position of the UAE and other states against the Qatari government may face a prison sentence of three to 15 years and a fine of no less than 500,000 dirhams [$136,125, 120,715 euros],” said a statement carried by the Gulf News and Al-Bayan newspapers.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30317522

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-08

[baboon]

They'll be well used to keeping their gobs shut about politics by now. I shouldn't worry...

[mjef]

Freedom of speech at its best! President Trump forgot to comment on these issues while doing the sword dance in ME!

[kotsak]

They'll feel like at home 

Edited June 8, 2017 by kotsak

[Mickmouse1]

The article has completely misrepresented the fact.

The warning was not to express sympathy or show support to Qatar on the Internet or media for Qatar is supporting and financing terrorist organisations therefore such public support will be perceived as support for terrorist groups such as ISIL & Alqada.

Freedom of speech is not permitted in the UK or USA  if it insults Jews or supports ISIL & ALQADA.?

[yellowboat]

Most Thais are already well trained in ignoring all things about politics.   The more adventurous will daringly nod or shake their head when asked politically charged questions outside of Thailand.      

[kamahele]

50 minutes ago, Mickmouse1 said:

The article has completely misrepresented the fact.

The warning was not to express sympathy or show support to Qatar on the Internet or media for Qatar is supporting and financing terrorist organisations therefore such public support will be perceived as support for terrorist groups such as ISIL & Alqada.

Freedom of speech is not permitted in the UK or USA  if it insults Jews or supports ISIL & ALQADA.?

Actually you can speak freely in the US including insults about religion, culture and ethnicity as long as you don't incite violence. You might be in danger from getting beaten up or killed by a member of the group you are insulting but not arrested. One cannot however lend support to terrorist organizations. 

[ilostmypassword]

1 hour ago, Mickmouse1 said:

The article has completely misrepresented the fact.

The warning was not to express sympathy or show support to Qatar on the Internet or media for Qatar is supporting and financing terroriFanisations therefore such public support will be perceived as support for terrorist groups such as ISIL & Alqada.

Freedom of speech is not permitted in the UK or USA  if it insults Jews or supports ISIL & ALQADA.?

Really? People go to jail for criticizing jews? There goes a good piece of Trump's base.

[Jonmarleesco]

'The Thai embassy in United Arab Emirates has warned Thai expatriates living in the Middle East nation not to comment on the severance of ties between the UAE and Qatar ...'

 

Unless, of course, the comments favour the UAE. Sounds eerily familiar.

[Scott]

A post with a racial slur has been removed. 

[YetAnother]

my god, now this govt even tries to tell overseas thais what to say

[ilostmypassword]

16 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

my god, now this govt even tries to tell overseas thais what to say

To be fair, they were making sure that Thais understood the foul situation in the UAE. There is a language barrier.

[mrfaroukh]

On 6/8/2017 at 2:16 PM, mjef said:

Freedom of speech at its best! President Trump forgot to comment on these issues while doing the sword dance in ME!

In Saudi now it is not allowed to wear Barcelona team dress as Qatar is sponsering them the fine is the same 135000 Pound and 15 years jail. 

 

I just got warning that you should not carry any pain killer to UAE even if you have prescription for it, else you will be jailed for bringing drugs into country which can be life time imprisonment or even execution.

[richard_smith237]

20 minutes ago, mrfaroukh said:

In Saudi now it is not allowed to wear Barcelona team dress as Qatar is sponsering them the fine is the same 135000 Pound and 15 years jail. 

 

I just got warning that you should not carry any pain killer to UAE even if you have prescription for it, else you will be jailed for bringing drugs into country which can be life time imprisonment or even execution.

 

I can't comment on your Barcelona shirt comment, it seems insane, but given recent events not completely unbelievable. 

 

But, your UAE comment is a little off the mark (not by too much though) and may alarm some... 

 

There is a list of Drugs for which if you do not carry a Doctors Prescription you may find yourself in trouble if searched as many substances commonly purchased over the counter in other countries are controlled in the UAE. 

 

This list can be found online and as not specific to painkillers. 

 

For example - I believe there are no restrictions on carrying Paracetamol.

 

However, painkillers such as Codeine (and Paracetamol containing Codeine) which can readily be purchased over the counter in the UK, is also illegal in Thailand without a prescription, although the laws in the UAE are somewhat more draconian. 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 11, 2017 by richard_smith237