A photojournalist from Hong Kong who was in Bangkok to cover the bombing at Erawan Shrine has been released on bail, following his arrest for carrying a bullet proof vest, reports the Bangkok Post.
Erawan Shrine. Image Credit: Shubert Clencia (Flickr)
Anthony Kwan Hok-chun, 29, of Initium Media was detained on Sunday at Suvarnabhuni airport where he planned to take a flight back to Hong Kong.
Under the 1987 Arms Control Act it is illegal to carry bulletproof vests. He was also carrying a helmet. Both were found in his luggage. Under the Arms act both are considered weapons, and Kwan is now forbidden from leaving the country.
If found guilty, he could face five years in jail and a fine of up to Bt 50,000.
Police have reported that the journalist says his company gave him the vest and helmet to wear while covering the story.
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) made a statement urging Thai authorities not to press charges against Mr Kwan, stating that it is standard practice for Journalists to use protective clothing when reporting from high risk destinations.
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The statement said: “Body armour and helmets used by journalists are not offensive weapons and should not be treated as such.”
It went on to say:
“The deaths of two foreign journalists in Bangkok from gunfire during the political unrest in 2010 underscores the need for this kind of protection. Journalists based in Bangkok have openly worn body armour during the more recent political turmoil without any action being taken against them by the Thai authorities. It is now a requirement of big media organisations that their journalists carry body armour and helmets into potentially risky environments.”
Mr. Kwan says he didn’t know it was illegal to take them out of the country. He said:
“I have been advised not to give interviews at the moment.”
The bombing at Erawan Shrine killed 20 people, including two Hong Kong residents.
See the full story here.
