PM responds to BBC Thai case by warning media of action ‘without exception’
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha Wednesday warned all media outlets operating in Thailand that they would be prosecuted, without exception, if they were found to be violating Thai laws.
He was speaking in response to a report on the monarchy published last week by BBC Thai. The report had been translated from an original English-language report produced by BBC News Asia.
Prayut said any foreign media outlet, with a branch in Thailand and with Thai employees, would be punished if it were found to be breaking Thai laws. He did not mention any outlet by name.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are part of the media or not. If you break this country’s laws, you will be punished,” he said. “[Their action] may not be considered wrong in foreign countries, I don’t know. But it is unlawful in Thailand and there’s no exception.”
The premier also called on the public to be aware of the Criminal Code’s Article 116 on sedition and the 2007 Computer Crime Act, which prohibits online content deemed seditious or one that damages the Kingdom’s authority.
