bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France Press

A Hong Kong photographer detained for carrying a bullet proof jacket and helmet in Thailand will face trial after pleading not guilty to a weapons possession charge on Monday.
The case has sparked outcry from media freedom groups who say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones.
Anthony Kwan Hok-chun, who works for the Hong Kong-based Initium media group, was held on August 23 after trying to depart Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport with a flak jacket and helmet in his hand luggage.
But both items are classified as weapons under Thai law and Kwan was charged with breaching the country's Arms Control Act - punishable by five years in jail.
He was in Thailand to cover the aftermath of August's deadly Bangkok bombing.
Kwan said on Monday after the hearing at the Samut Prakhan provincial court, near Bangkok, that he had been indicted.
“I'm not confessing... I don't think that a flak jacket is a weapon and I definitely didn’t know it was illegal here.”
His plea means he will face a trial starting next month. The court granted Kwan bail and will travel back to Hong Kong on Tuesday. 
“I think everyone in my situation would be a little bit concerned. I’m preparing for the worst but hoping for the best,” Kwan added.
Thailand’s classification of protection equipment as a weapon that requires a licence has been criticised by media groups who say they are vital pieces of kit for reporters in a country where political violence routinely spills onto the streets.
Ahead of Monday’s hearing, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand issued a statement to express disappointment at Kwan’s indictment.
“Thai authorities should consult with the media community... to explore a way around the 1987 law, which was surely not intended to prosecute journalists carrying out their normal duties,” the statement said.


Translator trouble deepens delay in Bangkok bomb trial

Bangkok bomb trial looms without masterminds in dock

Translator for Bangkok bombing suspects held on drug charges

‘I’m not an animal’: shackled Thailand bomb suspect calls out famous ‘Elephant Man’ line as he is lead to court in front of waiting cameras

Bangkok shrine bombing

'I'm not confessing': Hong Kong photographer to face Thai trial for 'carrying' flak jacket after Bangkok bombing

Hong Kong photojournalist Anthony Kwan Hok-chun, who works for the Initium media group, was arrested for carrying body armour. Photo: AP

Hong Kong photojournalist Hok Chun Anthony Kwan speaks to reporters after leaving Samut Prakan provincial court after he was released on bail Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, following his arrest Sunday at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, for carrying body armor and a helmet onto a flight bound for Hong Kong. Kwan, who was in Bangkok covering the aftermath of last week's bombing, is being charged with possessing an illegal weapon, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years. (AP Photo/Karly Domb Sadof)

epa04943644 A Buddhist monk walks past a statue of Lord Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation, at the Erawan Shrine, in Bangkok, Thailand, 22 September 2015. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invitation Hong Kong superstars Michelle Yim, also known as Mai Suet, and Simon Yam Tak-Wah visited the Erawan shrine on 22 September, to help restore the confidence of Chinese tourists, Hong Kong and Thai tourism industry after a bombing on 17 August, that killed at least 20 people and injured more than hundred. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

Hong Kong photojournalist Anthony Kwan Hok-chun, who works for the Initium media group, was arrested for carrying body armour . Photo: AP

The Foreign Correspondents' Club, Hong Kong Press Photographers Association and the Hong Kong Journalists Association join request upon Thai Authorities to drop charges against photographer Anohony Kwan, outside Thai Consulate-General in Central. Photo: Felix Wong

Hong Kong photojournalist in Thailand bulletproof vest case is charged, faces possible 5 years in jail

Anthony Kwan Hok-chun speaks on the phone after leaving Samut Prakan provincial court in Thailand after he was released on bail on August 24. The crime he has been accused of carries a maximum penalty of five years in gaol. Photo: AP 

A suspect in the August 17 Erawan shrine bombing identified as Adem Karadag (in yellow shirt) is escorted by Thai police officers and soldiers. Kwan was returning to Hong Kong after covering the bombing when he was apprehended. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong photojournalist detained in Thailand for allegedly carrying bulletproof vest has passport returned

Anthony Kwan Hok-chun is free to leave Thailand.  Photo: AP

Hong Kong photographer free to leave Thailand as police weigh up case against him for ‘carrying bulletproof vest’

Hong Kong photojournalist Anthony Kwan Hok-chun walks with lawyers as they arrive at an earlier court hearing in Thailand. Photo: AFP

Kwan was detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Photo: SCMP Pictures

News

Asia

Southeast Asia