The Royal Thai Police have confirmed that Australian blogger Murray Hunter was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept 29, but he was later released on bail.

According to a detention warrant issued by the Bangkok South Criminal Court, he was taken into custody by the police on Monday at around 7.30am before being handed over to investigators at Yannawa police station.

“Hunter was apprehended under the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court’s arrest warrant dated Mar 27, 2025, in connection with a criminal case filed at Yannawa police station.

“The case stems from an incident on Jun 21, 2024, when the complainant, while staying at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district, discovered allegedly defamatory articles published on Hunter’s Substack website,” the warrant stated.

The defamation charge carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 baht (RM26,000).

It is alleged that the articles defamed the MCMC, a Malaysian government agency established under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998, by making false and damaging claims.

Investigators claim that Hunter published four articles between Apr 13 and Apr 29, 2024, containing false statements and accusations that could undermine MCMC’s credibility and reputation.

Hunter has posted bail but is not permitted to leave Thailand.

Police reports in M’sia and Thailand

Earlier, MCMC released a statement saying that all matters relating to Hunter’s arrest, potential offences, and any charges fall under the jurisdiction of the Thai authorities.

MCMC stressed that it respects and will abide by the due process and decisions of the Thai justice system.

The agency also noted that police reports had been lodged in Malaysia and Thailand in April and June 2024 over Hunter’s publications concerning Malaysian institutions, including MCMC.

MCMC added that the Australian national had been operating from Thailand as his base of publication, with his content accessible within the country.

Separately, a civil suit was filed in Malaysia, with the cause papers served on him in Thailand.

- Bernama

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