Thais in UAE warned not to comment on conflict with Qatar
The Thai embassy in United Arab Emirates has warned Thai expatriates living in the Middle East nation not to comment on the severance of ties between the UAE and Qatar to avoid facing severe penalties.
The embassy in Abu Dhabi posted the warning on its Facebook wall, saying the UAE government has announced a ban on comments or posts about the diplomatic crisis on social media.
The embassy said violators could be subject to a fine of 500,000 UAE dirhams or about Bt5 million and/or a jail term from three years to 15 years.
The embassy said Thais living in or visiting the UAE must strictly observe the ban.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday and gave its citizens 14 days to leave, accusing Doha of supporting extremism. Qatar has denied the charges.
The UAE announced the ban on Wednesday.
“The UAE attorney-general warns that any participation in conversation on social media or any other means that demonstrates sympathy to Qatar or protests the position of the UAE and other states against the Qatari government may face a prison sentence of three to 15 years and a fine of no less than 500,000 dirhams [$136,125, 120,715 euros],” said a statement carried by the Gulf News and Al-Bayan newspapers.