BBC reporter faces legal harassment in Thailand

New York, June 6, 2008 - The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned
by the legal harassment of BBC correspondent Jonathan Head in Thailand. A
high-ranking police official, Lt. Col. Wattanasak Mungkandee, has filed two
separate criminal complaints alleging that the journalist insulted the
monarchy - charges that Head and the BBC have called unfounded.

Thai law allows any citizen to bring complaints against anyone they believe
has insulted the country's monarchy. Mungkandee reportedly brought the
complaints in a personal capacity. Violations of lese majeste laws are a
criminal offense punishable by three to 15 years' imprisonment.

The first complaint was filed on April 9, and was related to comments Head
made in December while moderating an event at the Foreign Correspondents
Club of Thailand. Titled "Coup, Capital and Crown," the discussion touched
on the monarchy's role in Thai society in light of the 2006 military coup.
No charges have been filed against the local and international academics on
the panel.

The second complaint against Head was filed on May 30 and included charges
that his reporting over a two-year period had "intended to criticize the
monarchy several times" and that "his writings have damaged and insulted
the reputation of the monarchy", according to an English language
translation of the charges, which were reviewed by CPJ.

The May 30 complaint against Head cited 11 articles from the BBC's Web
site, many of which he did not write. In a statement issued Monday, the BBC
called the charges "completely unfounded" and expressed concern about the
potential for angry public reaction to the charges. Head denied that any of
his reporting or comments had criticized the monarchy.

"We call upon Thai authorities to dismiss these charges against BBC
correspondent Jonathan Head," said CPJ Asia Program Director Bob Dietz.
"King Bhumibol Adulyadej said himself during a nationally televised address
in 2005 that the monarchy is not above criticism. Those prosecuting Head
should accept that guidance and throw out this and all future lese majeste
cases."

The charges against Head come at a politically tense period. The prime
minister's office minister, Jakrapob Penkair, resigned last week because of
police accusations that his statements during another event at the club in
August had insulted the monarchy. He had contended that the country's
institution of royalty perpetuates a feudal system.

Thai police have also started investigating more than 20 Web sites with
content that could be considered offensive to the monarchy. The reports say
the investigations have been going on since May 19. Among those under
investigation, the Hi-thaksin site, which was launched in support of former
Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra after he was ousted in a 2006 military
coup, was voluntarily closed down by its operator, Thai media reports said.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to
safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit
http://www.cpj.org

For further information on the Hi-thaksin website case, see:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/83763