Government Pulls Plug On Thailand's Only Private Television Station

[Tony Clifton]

I tuned in every now and then today. It looked like a soap opera at times, without the cat fights or guns. Let it be a lesson for the staff not to take any sh!t from board members and decision makers. I doubt most of them will even see a lesson to be learned.

The solidarity they were showing today as a group was non-existent in the past when colleagues were bullied and fired. Back then it was only me, me, me.

[Tony Clifton]

I tuned in every now and then today. It looked like a soap opera at times, without the cat fights or guns. Let it be a lesson for the staff at ITV and elsewhere not to take any sh!t from board members and decision makers. I doubt most of them will even see a lesson to be learned.

The solidarity they were showing today as a group was non-existent in the past when colleagues were bullied and fired. Back then it was only me, me, me.

The whole thing was a warning message from the powers that be, there never was any real intention to shut ITV down.

[blam]

Uh oh, here it comes again. I remember when:

I remember when there was no real Thai TV. Then it was all military music in the morning and sign off with a picture of 45 mm howitzers at night, (snowy nothingness all day.) Then it was a cartoon show in the morning and nothing all day, then a news program at night... howitzers Then, blah blah blah (need a vomit smiley here) on and on.

iTV was the shining light. They got fat and dropped the ball a long time ago. Good luck to them. (But honey, I really wanted to be a good boy! sob)

Thai TV is just about as good as TVLao, but at least TVLao doesn't show b!thch slapping and arguing all day and all night... disgusting waste. Time for TVTibet to step in and show them how it's done: cartoons in the morning and a news show at night.

Thai TV is terrible at any standard.

[jetjock]

BANGKOK POST BREAKING NEWS

Today's Top Stories

Surayud reverses, keeps iTV on the air

(BangkokPost.com)

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Wednesday told joyous iTV workers to stay on the job and to keep the station broadcasting.

Gen Surayud gave the order after the Council of State ruled that the government takeover of iTV was legal, and ordered the transfer of its assets to the Public Relations Department.

The Central Administrative Court, meanwhile, was working on a decision after iTV staff asked it to reverse the government order to take iTV off the air on Tuesday at midnight.

Staff defied the regime and kept the station on the air.

There were scenes of joy among iTV staff and a large crowd that gathered on Wednesday to support the station and its staff.

The order by Gen Surayud was a major setback to his PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan, who had surprised everyone with the order to close the station last weekend. She said it would have to stop broadcasting for a short time to srutinise and legalise paperwork and station contracts.

The government then ordered iTV staff to end broadcasting last night at midnight. At least one newspaper and some foreign news agencies even reported prominently that it had already closed.

But the station never stopped broadcasting.

Staff defied the government order and kept it on the air overnight and through the day, although with crossed fingers as they awaited the court verdict. They thought they had only an outside chance of winning, and in fact were ready to close the station this evening if the court ordered.

The Council of State also ruled the name of the station should be changed to TITV, for "Thai iTV".

The Council of State's ruling meant that employees will effectively be working for the PRD as of one minute after midnight on Thursday morning.

Gen Surayud as late as Tuesday had said that the 1,010 staff would be given a three-month severance payment, although many expect to be rehired and to stay on at the station when the government takes over.

[thaigene2]

Call it what you like. Cheer that they 'waied' then magically came back to life with a different name at midnight. Make me sick.

They folded a long, long time ago.

You think there's an editor or reporter there now - or even a year ago - that has the guts to be really "independent"?

Wake me up when an iTV reporter or a T-ITV reporter - or any bloody Thai reporter - has the goolies to start asking why so many Thais with such low salaries seem to be living such high-rolling lifestyles. Will never happen since most of these kids would be reporting on their civil-servant parents!

Sure blame Thaksin - blame yoursleves rich little Thai news reporters...where did mummy and daddy get THEIR money, hmm?

Oh and by the way, don't think that daddy is immune because he wears a golden tie when he gets in his Merc to drive to his 40,000-baht-per-month job. What goes around comes around - eventually.

Report that you little p++cks.

[Tony Clifton]

[blam]

Call it what you like. Cheer that they 'waied' then magically came back to life with a different name at midnight. Make me sick.

They folded a long, long time ago.

You think there's an editor or reporter there now - or even a year ago - that has the guts to be really "independent"?

Wake me up when an iTV reporter or a T-ITV reporter - or any bloody Thai reporter - has the goolies to start asking why so many Thais with such low salaries seem to be living such high-rolling lifestyles. Will never happen since most of these kids would be reporting on their civil-servant parents!

Sure blame Thaksin - blame yoursleves rich little Thai news reporters...where did mummy and daddy get THEIR money, hmm?

Oh and by the way, don't think that daddy is immune because he wears a golden tie when he gets in his Merc to drive to his 40,000-baht-per-month job. What goes around comes around - eventually.

Report that you little p++cks.

Extremely well said thaigene2. Perfect.

[Crushdepth]

TIT...v? Noooo wayyyyyyyyy!!

[Tony Clifton]

Nothing wrong with the name T-ITV. it's an all Thai station for Thais.

Tell a Thai you're really hungry for some McDonaow, see the laughs you get.

(Don t ask just anyone, bad word, a close friend is preferable )

[blam]

TITV it is.

"Night Owl", where are you when we need you? Your old prophesies in the Bangkok Post are all coming true.

[Greer]

Amusing to watch the ACTORS and ACTRESSES cry about it though. Hope not too many of those homes or cars are financed.

I'm puzzled why you find it amusing that people cry over losing their jobs, whether artists or not ?

Personally I don't see any amusement in that.

The Western world and millions of workers know that, losing their jobs because of the fierce competition from the Far East.

But, I'm sure you know that already.

Please enlighten me.

LaoPo

It's amusing because it's difficult to tell if they are really crying or if they are just ACTING.... especially when actors from other stations are joining in AND CRYING (right when the camera is on them) as well. I've known more than a few folks who have lost their jobs, and some who have lost their businesses, both here and in the US and for the most part have taken it like grown men and women.

Maybe it's because you're too young yet Heng, and you've never really -had to- suffer yourself in your private and/or business life, otherwise you wouldn't be making such a statement.

Maybe 'your folks' ACTED like grown men and women when they lost their jobs or business....but, were you in the bedroom also at night....?

LaoPo

Grown men and women don't cry. If they are as good as they think they will easily find another nice job.

...rubbish! Grown men and women do cry - emotional issues bring emotional responses, one of which is to cry!

When initially faced with a sudden and potentially devastating disruption to ones life, it is extremely difficult not to react. Some prefer not to be seen crying in public, but at the time, losing face is often the last consideration.

Imagine the terror of suddenly finding that your family may have to lose things it holds dear, your home, your car, disruption to the kids schooling - all huge changes for anyone - but made all the worse by the involuntary nature of it.

Hundreds of people in the very specialised areas of media suddenly appearing looking for work in the niche job market that the media represents means that finding continuity of income is absolutely NOT guaranteed.

I know very well about this industry as it has been my work for the last 35 years.

I don't work at iTV, but I know people who do, and I can only imagine how they must feel. I note that the station has now been allowed to continue on-air operations, so at least that's something...for now.

[richard10365]

There was a law in place, ITV broke it and they were held accountable.

Thai TV has a possible 70 million viewers across the country. It's a big audiance so it's a big fine. The potential marketing applications at stake are staggering.

Thailand gets it's first private television broadcaster, iTV --Independent TV -- what do they do with it.....they break the law.

Democracy is not an excuse to break established laws.

Bottom line, "don't do the crime if you can't pay the fine."

[seagull]

Amusing to watch the ACTORS and ACTRESSES cry about it though. Hope not too many of those homes or cars are financed.

I'm puzzled why you find it amusing that people cry over losing their jobs, whether artists or not ?

Personally I don't see any amusement in that.

The Western world and millions of workers know that, losing their jobs because of the fierce competition from the Far East.

But, I'm sure you know that already.

Please enlighten me.

LaoPo

It's amusing because it's difficult to tell if they are really crying or if they are just ACTING.... especially when actors from other stations are joining in AND CRYING (right when the camera is on them) as well. I've known more than a few folks who have lost their jobs, and some who have lost their businesses, both here and in the US and for the most part have taken it like grown men and women.

Maybe it's because you're too young yet Heng, and you've never really -had to- suffer yourself in your private and/or business life, otherwise you wouldn't be making such a statement.

Maybe 'your folks' ACTED like grown men and women when they lost their jobs or business....but, were you in the bedroom also at night....?

LaoPo

Grown men and women don't cry. If they are as good as they think they will easily find another nice job.

...rubbish! Grown men and women do cry - emotional issues bring emotional responses, one of which is to cry!

When initially faced with a sudden and potentially devastating disruption to ones life, it is extremely difficult not to react. Some prefer not to be seen crying in public, but at the time, losing face is often the last consideration.

Imagine the terror of suddenly finding that your family may have to lose things it holds dear, your home, your car, disruption to the kids schooling - all huge changes for anyone - but made all the worse by the involuntary nature of it.

Hundreds of people in the very specialised areas of media suddenly appearing looking for work in the niche job market that the media represents means that finding continuity of income is absolutely NOT guaranteed.

I know very well about this industry as it has been my work for the last 35 years.

I don't work at iTV, but I know people who do, and I can only imagine how they must feel. I note that the station has now been allowed to continue on-air operations, so at least that's something...for now.

Yessssss! That's telling them, Greer. 100% on your side. What a load of crap about "grown men and women don't cry". Been trying to tell meself not to be drag into this, ohhh, what the hel_l.

[Plus]

Actors and actresses Heng mentioned had been earning far in excess of 40,000 baht for the past few years with ITV, they'll survive. They took a gamble and went along with law breakers - ITV management. One night of little scare is not really a punishment. They are lucky their assets are not fined as well, only the station goes down.

[thaigene2]

Call it what you like. Cheer that they 'waied' then magically came back to life with a different name at midnight. Make me sick.

They folded a long, long time ago.

You think there's an editor or reporter there now - or even a year ago - that has the guts to be really "independent"?

Wake me up when an iTV reporter or a T-ITV reporter - or any bloody Thai reporter - has the goolies to start asking why so many Thais with such low salaries seem to be living such high-rolling lifestyles. Will never happen since most of these kids would be reporting on their civil-servant parents!

Sure blame Thaksin - blame yoursleves rich little Thai news reporters...where did mummy and daddy get THEIR money, hmm?

Oh and by the way, don't think that daddy is immune because he wears a golden tie when he gets in his Merc to drive to his 40,000-baht-per-month job. What goes around comes around - eventually.

Report that you little p++cks.

Extremely well said thaigene2. Perfect.

Thank you, thank you...surprised I wasn't banned for the 'tie' remark. If it's a problem with the mods (no taunting intended), I'll just edit it to read: "Don't think that daddy is immune because he - takes you to the golden arches every week - when he gets into his merc"...etc..

[thaigene2]

Watched again tonight and saw the same old crap they got b!tch slapped for by the get-back-at-thaksin-committee. Some game show. My wife loved it..as they do.

Well it seems to be all variety and entertainment again..<deleted>?

No news is good news I'm sure these guys are thinking..