topic Re: The BBC and Thailand in Off-Topic

The BBC and Thailand

jonsie — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:13:13 GMT

This could be very worrying for the BBC staff in their Thailand office. It would seem they have made a grave mistake in the profile of the new King here. I can't actually access the link here because the Thai government has blocked it now but to publicise anything the army consider even slightly defamatory of the Royal Family usually results in a 20 year prison sentence for each offence. You have heard of the Bangkok Hilton in reference to the prison here, everything you have heard about or read about is probably only a small part of your worst nightmare.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38238779

Thailand investigates BBC over King Maha Vajiralongkorn profile

The BBC could be prosecuted in Thailand if a profile it published of the new king is found in breach of lese majeste laws, the prime minister has said.

"As they have an office in Thailand and Thai reporters work there they must be prosecuted when they violate Thai law," Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters.

The BBC Thai-language website published the article last week after King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne.

The BBC has yet to be told if formal charges have been laid against it.

Re: The BBC and Thailand

Bambino — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:18:25 GMT

That sounds scary. Why would the BBC do that, knowing the consequences?

Re: The BBC and Thailand

jonsie — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:23:52 GMT

The thing is that I can't access the link. I'm going to have a look via VPN now.

Re: The BBC and Thailand

jonsie — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:34:11 GMT

OK I can see how this article could be construed as defamatory and how it would contravene Thailand's lese majeste laws

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38126928

Re: The BBC and Thailand

Cleoriff — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:56:44 GMT

The article you couldnt access here @jonsie

"The BBC could be prosecuted in Thailand if a profile it published of the new king is found in breach of lese majeste laws, the prime minister has said.

"As they have an office in Thailand and Thai reporters work there they must be prosecuted when they violate Thai law," Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters.

The BBC Thai-language website published the article last week after King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne.

The BBC has yet to be told if formal charges have been laid against it.

"BBC Thai was established to bring impartial, independent and accurate news to a country where the media faces restrictions, and we are confident that this article adheres to the BBC's editorial principles," a BBC spokesperson said.

Police have visited the BBC's Bangkok office as part of their investigation. It began after complaints about the article - which was published in the UK and has since been blocked online in Thailand - by royalists who accuse the BBC of defaming the king.

At the weekend, an opponent of Thailand's military-backed government was arrested after sharing the profile on his Facebook page.

He is thought to be the first person charged with defaming the monarchy since the new king succeeded his father.

Human rights groups accuse the military-backed government of using the royal defamation law as a way of cracking down on opponents.

King Vajiralongkorn's father, the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on 13 October at the age of 88 after seven decades on the throne

Re: The BBC and Thailand

jonsie — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 11:57:44 GMT

Everyone here, be they Thai or any other nationality, has to be very wary of what they say in public or on social media.

Re: The BBC and Thailand

Cleoriff — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:39:42 GMT

I would need to walk round with gaffer tape across my mouth then...

Re: The BBC and Thailand

MI5 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:59:56 GMT

Great idea

Re: The BBC and Thailand

Cleoriff — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:29:41 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
Great idea

You would be lost without me having a rant occasionally...Who the hell else would take the risk...??

Re: The BBC and Thailand

MI5 — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:33:23 GMT

Yeah, I was forgetting how lucky we were

Re: The BBC and Thailand

jonsie — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:35:25 GMT

What is scary is that if you upset a Thai, they slap you and then report you to the police for disrespecting the royal family....who are they going to believe?

Re: The BBC and Thailand

Cleoriff — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:38:00 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
What is scary is that if you upset a Thai, they slap you and then report you to the police for disrespecting the royal family....who are they going to believe?

Time to dig in and not leave the house @jonsie

Re: The BBC and Thailand

jonsie — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:46:59 GMT

Best behaviour at all times.....