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SCMP Reporter

A Hong Kong news photographer has been detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport for trying to carry a bulletproof vest onto a flight leaving the Thai capital.
Anthony Kwan Hok-chun, a photographer for the newly launched Initium Media news outlet since May, was detained by airport police on Sunday afternoon and faces trial on Monday.
Kwan was preparing to board Thai Airways Flight 602 to Hong Kong and had the vest in his hand baggage.
READ MORE: Son of former Thai PM doubles reward offered for Bangkok bomber capture

He was on his way back after spending a week covering the aftermath of the August 17 Erawan Shrine bombings.
Initium executive chief editor Annie Zhang told the South China Morning Post that the company had hired a Bangkok-based lawyer to help Kwan and was also sending staff to Thailand.
“We cannot comment further as it has already entered judicial proceedings, but we are very concerned about this incident,” Zhang said.
Bulletproof vests are controlled items under Thai law and require licences for non-military or police use.

Hong Kong Journalists Association chairwoman Sham Yee-lan said the situation was “very serious” and questioned why a reporter was detained for carrying a piece of equipment for self-defence.
“It is very common for war journalists to carry one. It is definitely not a weapon,” she said. "There is no good reason for this arrest.”
The association has contacted the Security Bureau for help.
When reached by phone, Kwan apologised and responded calmly that it was "not convenient to talk".
The Hong Kong Immigration Department said it was informed of the incident and had been able to establish contact with Kwan and provide advice to him.
It was now trying to understand the situation from the relevant authorities in Bangkok through the Office of the Commissioner of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.
“The Immigration Department will continue to keep close contact with the involved person, the OCFMA and the embassy and render practical assistance,” the spokesman said.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand said it was “dismayed” to learn of Kwan’s detention.
“Body armour and helmets used by journalists are not offensive weapons and should not be treated as such,” the FCCT said in a statement.
“The deaths of two foreign journalists in Bangkok from gunfire during the political unrest in 2010 underscores the need for this kind of protection. Journalists based in Bangkok have openly worn body armour during the more recent political turmoil without any action being taken against them by the Thai authorities.
“We urge the authorities not to press ahead with the criminal case against Mr Kwan, and to work with the media community in Thailand to decriminalise the legitimate use of body armour and other relevant and purely protective items.”


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Bangkok shrine bombing

Hong Kong news photographer held in Bangkok for trying to carry bulletproof vest onto flight

A partially damaged Hindu statue at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand. The Thai capital has been on high alert since a bomb attack at the shrine on August 17. Photo: EPA

Photojournalist Anthony Kwan outside court in Bangkok yesterday after being released on bail. He had to surrender his passport. Photo: AP

The detained photographer Anthony Kwan who was on his way back after spending a week covering the aftermath of the August 17 Erawan Shrine bombings.

Kwan was preparing to board Thai Airways Flight 602 to Hong Kong from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. Photo: EPA

Police fear Bangkok bombing suspect may have fled the country

CCTV footage shows the main Thai bombing suspect (R-in yellow shirt - circled by Thai Police) on the back of a motorbike, riding away from Erawan shrine just two minutes after a bomb was detonated at the popular shrine in Bangkok on August 17. Photo: AFP

Still image from CCTV footage released by Thai police shows what they believe to be two new suspects - dressed in red and dressed in white - standing in front of previously identified supect in yelow t-shirt removing his backpack in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters

Son of former Thai PM doubles reward offered for Bangkok bomber capture

Thaksin Shinawatra currently lives abroad in self-imposed exile after a corruption conviction that he insists was political. Photo: AFP

People mourn for the explosion victims at the reopened Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. Photo: Xinhua

Panthongtae Shinawatra. Photo: AFP

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.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}New | Hong Kong news photographer held in Bangkok for trying to carry bulletproof vest onto flight

New | Hong Kong news photographer held in Bangkok for trying to carry bulletproof vest onto flight