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Airport Detains Photojournalist With Body Armour
24th Aug 2015
A leading Hong Kong (HK) daily reported that a photojournalist was barred from boarding Flight 602 of Thai Airways (THAI) after personnel from Suvarnabhumi airport discovered a body armour in his carry-on luggage.
The photojournalist working for Initium Media was identified as Anthony Kwan Hok-chun. He flew to Bangkok to cover the August 17 bombing near Erawan Shrine and was supposed to leave for HK on August 23 when authorities accosted him.
While he was subsequently released upon posting bail, he still has to go through military court trial for possession of illegal weapons. If found guilty, he may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to five years.
Thailand requires carriers of body armours to present a permit to carry these items.
Mr. Kwan will be assisted by a lawyer sent by Annie Zhang, chief editor of Initium Media.
Hong Kong immigration has been coordinating with both the Chinese embassy in Thailand and other Thai officials. It has also counseled Mr. Kwan on the situation.
The HK Journalists Association questioned the Thai airport authorities' move, citing that war journalists typically carry body armours as protection thus, Mr. Kwan's arrest may be unwarranted.
Members of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) also expressed their disappointment over the arrest.
According to FCCT, journalists normally use body armours and other protective gear while covering risky assignments to ensure their safety. It is not, in any way, an offensive act.
The club is requesting Thai officials to drop the case, adding that Thai journalists use the same armours out in the open without being penalised.
Based on data from a gun policy info and news website, the incidence of gun violence in Thailand is much higher compared with some Asian countries and is almost comparable to that of the US.
Thailand's Interior Ministry said that among the country's 67 million plus population, more than 6 million legally possess firearms.
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