Thai journalist says Myanmar junta agents tried to intimidate him in Samut Prakan

Nathaphob Sungkate, a Thai freelance journalist, said he was threatened, searched and obstructed while reporting on the Certificate of Identity (CI) renewal process for Myanmar migrant workers at the Samut Prakan Provincial Immigration CI Centre on 21 October.

He said a foreign man claiming to represent Myanmar’s military government demanded to see his identification, while other Thai men surrounded him, questioned his reporting and photographed his Thai national ID card. Two men in civilian clothes also expressed dissatisfaction with his presence, and one demanded to inspect all the photographs he had taken.

“One of the men who wasn’t Thai was wearing a white shirt with a Myanmar flag either on his arm or around his neck,” Nathaphob told Khaosod English by phone on Saturday afternoon, three days after the incident.

The journalist said he was wearing a press armband and carrying a camera, and was photographing only the exterior and general atmosphere without capturing personal information. He questioned why a process involving the public interest appeared to be treated as secret, and why people who refused to identify themselves could obstruct media work in Thailand and enter an area reserved for those involved in the identification process.

Nathaphob added that an MP from the opposition People’s Party contacted him after the incident. He has decided to submit a complaint to the House Committee on Political Development and Media next week.

“I may also petition the National Human Rights Commission if the harassment continues,” he added.

Khaosod English was unable to contact the Myanmar Embassy for comment on Friday, 23 October, a special public holiday.