Hong Kong photojournalist detained in Thailand for allegedly carrying bulletproof vest has passport returned

Hong Kong photojournalist Anthony Kwan Hok-chun is free to leave Thailand after a judge returned his passport, but he must return to Bangkok to face charge after he was stopped at a Bangkok airport allegedly carrying a bulletproof vest in his hand luggage.

A police probe into the case against the 29-year-old reporter is still active. The charge against Kwan carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. He was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for carrying controlled items under Thai law. A licence is required to own a bulletproof vest, except when it is for military or police use.

Kwan’s legal representative, Sirikan Charoensiri, told the South China Morning Post on Monday morning: “The court returned his Chinese passport so he could travel out of Thailand to perform his duties, but with the condition that he will return to Thailand to report himself to the court on September 17.”

Kwan’s lawyer had told the court: “Anthony, as an international photojournalist, has to travel to perform his duties covering news in other countries. His case is not serious, and he will not abscond … He will defend his innocence till the end and not risk his career reputation.”

Kwan is accused of breaching the country’s 1987 Arms Control Act. He was released on bail two weeks ago.

He said he had not immediately decided when to return to Hong Kong, and was taking each decision “one step at a time”.