Australian Says He Was Improperly Arrested in Thailand over His Criticism of Malaysia
Murray Hunter faces defamation charges punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 baht, highlighting concerns of regional efforts to silence critics.
- On Monday, Murray Hunter, 66, was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport as he was about to board a flight to Hong Kong, and he says the arrest was improper.
- Murray Hunter says the charge arose from his 2024 Substack articles about Malaysia and he blames the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for the complaint.
- Jailed overnight, he was released on 20,000 baht bail pending a November 17, 2023 court appearance.
- Civil society groups condemned the arrest, with Malaysia's Centre for Independent Journalism and PEN Malaysia issuing a joint statement, while Hunter warned journalists could be picked off flights.
- Human Rights Watch and UN rights experts have documented cross-border repression, and a July report expressed `profound concern` about its rise involving Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Australian Scholar Faces Thai Court After Alleged Malaysian-Backed Cross-Border Arrest
An independent journalist body based in Malaysia has condemned an alleged cross-border arrest of Australian scholar and writer Murray Hunter. Hunter, 66, was allegedly detained by Thai authorities on Sept. 29 over a defamation charge he claims came from the Malaysian government following blog articles he had penned in 2024. Malaysian group Centre for Independent Journalism issued a statement expressing “deep concern” in regard to Hunter’s detain…
Australian says he was improperly arrested in Thailand over his criticism of Malaysia
An Australian man arrested in Thailand on a defamation charge he says originated with Malaysia's government claims he is a victim of transnational repression, in which Southeast Asia countries cooperate in seizing dissidents or critics who are not on their…
Australian National Review - Australian Scholar Faces Thai Court After Alleged Malaysian-Backed Cross-Border Arrest
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre R) waves from an open-top car owned and driven by East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta (seated), as Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (centre L) looks on, upon his arrival in Dili on Sept. 23, 2025. Valentino Dariell De Sousa/AFP via Getty Images An independent journalist body based in Malaysia has condemned an alleged cross-border arrest of Australian scholar and writer Murray Hunter. Hunter, 66, w…
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