Police have no choice but to take legal action against a Hong Kong photojournalist who was found in illegal possession of a bulletproof vest on Sunday, national police chief Somyot Poompunmuang says.
Pol Gen Somyot insisted legal action must be taken against Anthony Kwan Hok-chun, 29, who works for the online media company Initium Media, despite opposition from several parties.
Mr Kwan was detained on Sunday while waiting to board a flight to Hong Kong at Suvarnabhumi airport after an X-ray machine at the departure terminal detected a helmet and bulletproof vest in his carry-on luggage.
Mr Kwan was bailed by Samut Sakorn authorities on Monday but is barred from leaving Thailand.
Whether Mr Kwan would be found guilty depended on the court. Police could not interfere in the trial process, Pol Gen Somyot added.
The Samut Prakan Provincial Court granted bail to Mr Kwan on Monday. He was also barred from leaving the country.
When asked if journalists will be allowed to use bulletproof vests in the future when reporting on the country's political gatherings, Pol Gen Somyot said all bulletproof vests violate the law.
Mr Kwan works for the internet news website, Intium.com.
Initium Media said it had sent staff to Bangkok to cover last week's bomb attacks and hired local lawyers to represent the journalist. "As the legal proceedings are in progress, Initium Media is not in a position to make further comments," it said.
"However, we will closely monitor the situation and provide all assistance necessary to protect our journalist's legal rights."
The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand said use of body armour and helmets is routine by journalists worldwide and the death of two journalists in Bangkok from gunfire during the political unrest in 2010 underlines the need for protective garments.
The club urged the government not to press ahead with the case.