Police defend media arrest

News > Local News

Published: 27 Nov 2012 at 21.13
Online news: Local News

A police spokesman attempted to make peace with the press on Tuesday after protests that riot police arrested two photographers during tear gas attacks near the Pitak Siam protest last Saturday.

National police spokesman Piya Uthayo denied saying the two cameramen were detained "because they were shooting a violent incident and doing so violated people's rights".Media groups on Saturday claimed that Pol Maj Gen Piya defended the arrests with such a statement, but the spokesman strongly denied he ever had said such a thing.The statement by media groups said police used excessive force and threatened the working freedom of media members who were carrying out their duties during a clash Saturday morning between riot police and protesters, during which tear gas was fired and thrown at Makkhawan bridge.The statement called on all parties, especially police officers, to respect the rights of members of the press. Pol Maj Gen Piya denied that the two men were arrested because of their work, calling this a "misunderstanding".He submitted his letter clarifying the allegation to the media groups, along with a CD containing audio files of his interview and footage of the major events in the protest."I want to again assert that police respect [the rights of] every member of the press," said Pol Maj Gen Piya. "I reassure you that we take responsibility for all the remarks given in all statements and they are based on facts and legal provisions." Police arrested 138 protesters including ASTV Manager photographer Santi Tehpia and Thai PBS cameraman Pattanasak Woradet during the morning clash. All but one...

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facts_only
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Discussion 27 : 30 Nov 2012 at 09.4427
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"He has explained that some reporters and cameramen had no visible press badges or identification cards with them. Others, added Piya, were posing as reporters but were actually demonstrators...Piya said some reporters were on the back of the six-wheel truck that rammed the police cordon." - TN, Nov 27, 2012
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ricefield
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Discussion 26 : 28 Nov 2012 at 22.4526
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Disc 23 - banmebkk, I'm not blaming anyone. Usually when a reporter gets arrested they have made a poor choice of some kind. We don't know why they were arrested and as such no one can make an informed comment. It just seems strange that these two, who were arrested, were at the same site as at least a another dozen other reporters and photo gs who were not arrested.
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android
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Discussion 25 : 28 Nov 2012 at 15.4425
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The two reporters arrested by police are behaving exactly like the femle tv reporter who had a verbal conflict with Charlem recently. All three reporters are categorized as non-professional news workers who are too eager to show off their political stance at work.
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lek
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Discussion 24 : 28 Nov 2012 at 11.5824
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Let's face it, the Police on the day were under immense pressure from the Pheu Thaksin Party to stamp on the demonstration and its supporters as quickly as possible. Press freedom was obviously not a priority, nor even a consideration.
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banmebkk
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Discussion 23 : 28 Nov 2012 at 11.0223
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Ricefield - For someone who was so outspoken about media rights and censorship during UDD protest, now you are blaming the media for being in the wrong place? That is one step backwards.
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banmebkk
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Discussion 22 : 28 Nov 2012 at 10.5622
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So much for the freedom of speech and rights the PTP are crying about. I don't see red supporters condemning the police, instead they are blaming the media for being arrested! amazing red supporters.
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ricefield
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Discussion 21 : 28 Nov 2012 at 09.2121
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Disc 19 - Journalists that registered with the event were issued a yellow armband that looked almost identical to the protest guard armbands. Most Western jurnos registered but did not wear their armbands. All western journalists and photographers are issued credentials by the government as part of their work permit.
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boontong
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Discussion 20 : 28 Nov 2012 at 09.1420
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The pictures and videos circulated were evidence that demonstrators disobeyed the order to take alternate routes for them to safety arrive at the rally site. They came with objects that can easily be turned into weapons to attack law enforcement officers. They attacked law enforcement officers. The officers were in imminent danger, and they have to protect themselves, the government house and maintain law and order.
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boontong
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Discussion 19 : 28 Nov 2012 at 08.5619
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Reporters covering the event should have obeyed the rule of law and cooperated with law enforcement officers. The TJA should investigate why the arrested reporters did not wear their green armbands.
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bonzo
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Discussion 18 : 28 Nov 2012 at 08.5018
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They should have taken a photo of the police actually doing something for once.
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Police defend media arrest | Bangkok Post: news