Thai rights news conference called off after police warning

Nuttaa Mahattana (C), a television reporter and activist speaks to media in front of the Maneeya Center building where the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) is located, in Bangkok, Thailand, February 6, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A news conference by a Thai rights group was called off on Tuesday following a police warning not to hold the event or risk violating a junta ban on public gatherings.

 

Activists had planned to hold a news conference at the Maneeya Center in Bangkok - home to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) - to call on the junta to keep its promise of an election this year, but police issued a warning that stopped the event from going ahead.

 

The meeting was led by Nuttaa Mahattana, a television reporter and activist, who spoke to Thai and foreign reporters gathered outside the building on Tuesday.

 

"The police contacted the management of the FCCT yesterday. They were worried that a press conference here would breach security laws and constitute an illegal assembly," Nuttaa told reporters outside the FCCT on Tuesday.

 

She is among seven activists from the Democracy Restoration Group who have been summoned by police to face charges of defying a ban on public gatherings after organising a protest in downtown Bangkok last month demanding that the junta not postpone a general election that is scheduled for this year.

 

The police crackdown comes amid growing disgruntlement in the Southeast Asian country ahead of the vote and a scandal involving the deputy prime minister that has led thousands to call for his immediate resignation.

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has said an election will be held in November but there is growing uncertainty as to whether the date will be kept.

 

Anti-junta protests calling for the junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), to return Thailand to civilian governance have mushroomed in recent weeks.

 

The junta took power following a 2014 coup by the military which overthrew a civilian government.

 

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Aukkarapon Niyomyat and; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-06

Ah, just more examples of what it looks like when you're on the road to democracy. No wonder the PM is trying to force 'Thainyom' down people's throats. 

I love the smell of (Thai) democracy in the morning!

 

2 minutes ago, DM07 said:

I love the smell of (Thai) democracy in the morning!

 

Do you?  

Well done junta! Divide all the people reading this story in disgust at this latest repression of free speech, by how many would have attended the meeting at the FCCT. What a spectacular own goal!

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"The police contacted the management of the FCCT yesterday. They were worried that a press conference here would breach security laws and constitute an illegal assembly,"

Think the FCCT is on speed dial over there at police headquarters.  Nuttaa probably is too.  God love her.  She definitely has some roar.  It is doubtful elections will take place this year.  The junta should be held responsible.

Thai "rights": 

 

"You have the right to go to jail."

 

 

49 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

"You have the right to go to jail."

And with the Thai Junta version of monopoly there is no 'Get out of jail free' card

It's just natures way, the king of the jungle is saying get stuffed.

On 2/6/2018 at 12:25 AM, rkidlad said:

Ah, just more examples of what it looks like when you're on the road to democracy. No wonder the PM is trying to force 'Thainyom' down people's throats. 

How long before there are enough resentment that the strong arm tactics can't beat everyone into submission? The Thais are starting to wake up.

If we dont like the way things are here, we can go back to from whence we came.

1 hour ago, keithpa said:

If we dont like the way things are here, we can go back to from whence we came.

Or choose a different forum to post on if diversity of opinion and debate are not what we are looking for.

Edited February 7, 20188 yr by baboon

1 hour ago, keithpa said:

If we dont like the way things are here, we can go back to from whence we came.

That is a pretty puerile response to say the least, you obviously just got off the plane or Banana boat. Apart from some sad junta A**lickers on here no one wants this bunch in power and the sooner free and fair elections are held the better.

3 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

That is a pretty puerile response to say the least, you obviously just got off the plane or Banana boat. Apart from some sad junta A**lickers on here no one wants this bunch in power and the sooner free and fair elections are held the better.

Ive  been here many years. Its not up to farangs who is in power. Wake up.

10 hours ago, keithpa said:

Ive  been here many years. Its not up to farangs who is in power. Wake up.

It's also not up to farangs to stifle free speech.  That's the junta's job.