FCCT presses for Prachatai reporter's freedom

In a statement released today, it said: "The FCCT is concerned that arresting and charging him sets an alarming precedent for media freedom, and calls on Thai authorities to withdraw the charges against him."

Taweesak was arrested on July 10 while covering the activities of the New Democracy Movement (NDM). The NDM activists had travelled to Ban Pong to support another group of 18 activists who had been summoned by police. Taweesak accompanied them from Bangkok to Ban Pong in the same car as part of his reporting assignment. Police stopped and searched the vehicle and said they found pamphlets and stickers that they alleged were in breach of the the government's Referendum Act. The documents belonged to the NDM activists who have been calling on Thais to reject the proposed charter. Prachatai director Chiranuch Premchaiporn said the documents did not belong to Taweesak. 

All were arrested, charged and later freed on bail, but face up to ten years in jail if convicted. Prachatai's offices were subsequently searched by police officers on July 12. Taweesak was released on bail but has been charged under the Referendum Act, which outlaws criticism of the draft constitution, a document that Thais will vote on in a referendum on August 7.

"It is not unusual for journalists to accompany or travel with newsmakers and interviewees. As a reporter covering human and environmental rights, Mr Taweesak was merely doing his job," FCCT said in the statement.