(RAT/IFEX) – The following is a 12 July 1999 statement by RAT: Bangkok – On Monday 12 July 1999, RAT strongly condemned attempts by politicians and their family members to mandhandle or intimidate reporters performing their news coverage duties. Thai Rath reporter Naret Meethet, 27, was intimidated and his camera was damaged while he was […]
(RAT/IFEX) – The following is a 12 July 1999 statement by RAT:
Bangkok – On Monday 12 July 1999, RAT strongly condemned attempts by
politicians and their family members to mandhandle or intimidate reporters
performing their news coverage duties.
Thai Rath reporter Naret Meethet, 27, was intimidated and his camera was
damaged while he was covering a pub brawl on Sunday 11 July in central
Bangkok. He was also held against his will by two sons of opposition Member
of Parliament Chalern Yoobamrung, a well-known personality in Thailand. The
two individuals and their associates snatched Naret’s camera in a bid to
confiscate his film, which allegedly contained pictures he had taken of an
earlier brawl.
The RAT denounced the actions of Chalern’s sons and their associates as
seriously impeding the normal course of duties of reporters attempting to
cover news. It urged law enforcement officials to ensure justice is carried
out, event to the extent of prosecuting the politician’s sons.
