Thais in UAE warned not to criticise bans on Qatar

Thais in UAE warned not to criticise bans on Qatar

People shout slogans as they hold Turkish and Qatari flags during a demonstration in favour of Qatar in central Istanbul, Turkey, late on Wednesday. (Reuters photo)
People shout slogans as they hold Turkish and Qatari flags during a demonstration in favour of Qatar in central Istanbul, Turkey, late on Wednesday. (Reuters photo)

The Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, has advised Thais living or visiting there to heed the UAE's warning against any criticism of the decision to sever ties with Qatar, because penalties could be severe.

The embassy issued the warning on Wednesday.

Expressing disapproval through social media, or any other means of communication, is a crime under the UAE's  tough cybercrime and defamation laws.

The UAE's Justice Ministry has warned social media users face three to 15 years in prison and/or fines starting at 500,000 dirhams (about 5 million baht) for expressing sympathy for Qatar.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and several other countries in the immediate region cut their ties with Doha on Monday, accusing it of supporting armed Islamist groups and their arch-foe Iran - charges Qatar says are baseless.

They have cut off land, sea and air access.

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