Laos bans Thai TV and videos being shown in public

Laos has banned all Thai television channels and videos from being shown in public places to prevent the Kingdom's cultural domination over the tiny communist state, the country's Information and Culture Ministry said yesterday.

The ministry issued the ban order on May 14 and it covers such places as airports, hotels, bus stations, restaurants and markets, said the ministry's director of mass media Vanhthong Phonchanheuang.

"It is not anti-Thai sentiment. Thai television and videos are not bad but we don't want to see their presence too much," he said.

"Previously many public places, particularly restaurants and hotels, displayed only Thai television programmes as if they are in Thailand not Laos," he said in a phone interview from Vientiane.

Due to the close proximity of the two countries, language and culture similarities as well as the Kingdom's more advance technology, Thai television is commonly viewed in Laos.

That particularly applies to areas along the Mekong and Laos' border with Thailand.

Thai TV programmes are more famous than local programmes, which mainly consist of government propaganda broadcast via two national stations.

The ban aims to pave the way for more Lao national television to be shown in public places, Vanhthong said.

"Sometimes foreign visitors get confused which country they have landed in as they only see Thai channels at Vientiane Airport's terminal," he added.

The order does not bar individuals from watching Thai television and videos at home, he said.

International television channels - including the BBC, CNN and French TV5 - are not prohibited from being shown in public places as the government accepts an international presence, he said.

The ministry has ordered information and cultural services in Vientiane, officials from the Saysomboun special zone and other provincial and mass organisations - both at central and local level - to help enforce the ban.

Caretakers or owners of public places that continue to show Thai TV and videos will be reprimanded and fined, Vanhthong said.

Diplomatic relations between Thailand and Laos are good as Bangkok has provided Vientiane with much assistance.

The two countries are engaged in many cooperation projects, including a second friendship bridge across the Mekong.

--The Nation 2004-05-28

Fair enough, Lao is entitled to protect it's countries identity.

Fair enough, Lao is entitled to protect it's countries identity.

True. But have you ever watched Laos TV It is none too flash

Let Mr Toxin take over all the media , then they will have a real identity

Let Mr Toxin take over all the media , then they will have a real identity

Didn't Laos kamoy Shincorps TV station there a few years ago ?

Didn't Laos kamoy Shincorps TV station there a few years ago ?

If that's true it's great