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A file picture of demonstrator wearing a gas mask during a protest in New York. Photo: Reuters

Chinese state media journalist arrested in Thailand for carrying gas mask

CCTV journalist latest to fall foul of Thai law that deems a gas mask or body armour ‘weapons’. A similar case against a Hong Kong photographer was dropped last year

A British journalist may face jail time after he was arrested at Thailand’s main airport with a gas mask and plates for a bulletproof vest, which police said on Tuesday breached a law that classifies the protective gear as weapons of war.

Anthony Cheng, who works for the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, was detained at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday night on his way to report in the war-torn Iraqi city of Mosul where troops are battling the Islamic State group.

Gas masks and ballistic vests, which are frequently used by reporters around the world, are classified as war weapons in Thailand and require a licence.

Violating the legislation is punishable by up to five years in jail.

“A British national was arrested and charged with illegal possession of war weapons last night at the airport,” airport policeman Somchart Maneerat said.

His German colleague was also detained, the officer said.

Media groups have repeatedly criticised the Thai law and say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones.

Cheng posted a photo on Facebook of the airport detention cell where he was held overnight late on Monday.

The plates and gas mask were “for use in Mosul where ISIS are well documented to be using gas”, he wrote. “I was unaware either of those things were classified as ‘war weapons’”.
A file picture of the Hong Kong photojournalist Anthony Kwan Hok-chun. He was arrested for carrying body armour while covering the aftermath of a bombing in Bangkok. Photo: AP

Attempts over the years to amend the legislation have fallen on deaf ears, despite Thailand’s own history of deadly street protests and a festering Muslim insurgency in the far south.

“Journalists who feel they need to carry this stuff need to inform or contact the concerned authorities prior to travelling,” junta spokesman Major General Werachon Sukhonhapatipak said.

The Hong Kong photographer Anthony Kwan Hok-chun was charged two years ago with violating the law for carrying a bulletproof vest and helmet while covering a deadly bombing in Bangkok. A Thai court later dropped the case.

During Thailand’s regular bouts of often violent street protests, both demonstrators and journalists have donned ballistic vests and helmets, largely without falling foul of police.

Two foreign reporters were killed by gunfire while covering the worst round of political unrest in 2010.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Briton reporting for CCTV held at Thai airport
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