Secretary for Justice on Hong Kong resident being refused entry in Bangkok

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC, at a media session at the Hong Kong International Airport today (October 7):

Reporter: (regarding the remarks made by the Thai Prime Minister on the incident)

Secretary for Justice: I think there have been some suggestions to that effect, but it has been subsequently, as I understand, clarified. I think what the Thai Prime Minister said was it was a matter for China. That was the translation. Of course, I, myself, do not understand Thai. I would have to rely on translation. But from what I have seen, there seems to be different translations. As far as I am concerned, I have not been in the position to clarify the differences in translation. But what I am saying just now, is that subsequent to that, as far as I understand, there has been a spokesman of the Thai government and the explanation also covered the point that I just mentioned, namely the position taken by the National Council for Peace and Order, and in that explanation, the two points that I mentioned in Cantonese just now are very clear. Point number one, that the Thai government has confirmed that they have not received any instructions or directions from other countries. Secondly, the National Council for Peace and Order also explained the reasons in some detail as to why they see fit to refuse entry of Mr Wong Chi-fung, and they also make references as to the activities conducted by Mr Wong and also the imminent holding of the second ACD(Asia Cooperation Dialogue) Summit. As I was saying in Cantonese just now, these are the reasons presented by the Thai government. One may have a different view, one may agree, one may disagree. But as I have explained earlier, the right to allow or refuse entry is the right of any sovereign government, any sovereign state. This is something which, whether we agree with the reason, we have to accept that it is a matter which they have the prerogative.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Friday, Oct 07, 2016