Thai reporters detained for reporting on anarchist graffiti on a temple

BANGKOK: According to the police and their attorneys on Tuesday, two Thai journalists were detained for their reporting on an activist who about a year ago used a spray paint job to paint an anarchist sign and a symbol opposing “lese majeste” rules on a temple wall in Bangkok.

On Monday, Nattaphol Meksobhon, a reporter for the independent online news source Prachatai, and Nattaphon Phanphongsanon, a freelance news photographer, were taken into custody.
The two journalists face charges of public vandalism and collaboration in causing damage to a historical landmark, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which is defending the men.
The accusations originate from a story they published in March of last year about an activist who had spray-painted an anarchist symbol and the number 112 with a strikethrough on the wall of the Bangkok Grand Palace compound’s Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
The number 112 alludes to the “lese majeste” statute, which shields the palace from criticism and imposes a potential 15-year prison term for any perceived insult to the monarchy—a harsh penalty that has been strongly denounced by international human rights organizations.
The graffiti event was documented on camera, and the media covered it extensively.
Tewarit Maneechai, news editor at Prathanai, stated that neither of the two reporters knew ahead of time that the activist planned to spray-paint the wall of the temple when they went to cover the incident.
Tewarit said, “They were reporting the news as journalists.”
According to Reuters, police have enough evidence to back their arrests, according to Lieutenant Colonel Phawat Wattasupat, the deputy superintendent of the Phra Ratchawang police station.
Despite the fact that the warrant was issued in May of last year, Tewarit claimed that his colleagues were unaware of the accusations until their arrest.
“Their arrests created fear about news coverage of sensitive issue,” he said.
Speaking on Tuesday, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that the police should determine what is suitable and that the government is “fair” when it comes to press freedom.
“Everything depends on the law, there are no harassment,” he said.
After being held all night, the two journalists will appear in court on Tuesday to have their charges officially heard. The two, via their attorneys, are requesting bail.