Bangkok Radio Stations To Be Shut After Ex-thai Premier Calls In

[Prakanong]

Previously exiled people didn't have mobile phones, internet etc. They also didn't have a constituency that had mobile phones, internet etc.

For all we know he might have used a landline to call those stations.

It's not like he accidentally farted in public, his ungentlemanly behaviour has been consistent from the start.

I admire your enacity in trying to defend coup's and no democracy etc

Where do you come from - do they have free speech and democracy there?

[Plus]

"Defend the coup", "no democracy" - how did you get there from Thaksin's phone calls?

[MiG16]

Forego the constitution completion and have an election before December? Under what rules? What parties can run? and a million other practical questions...

actually that is feasible....to hold elections without the need to re-write the entire constitution. but with amendments to some of the acts related to MPs, Senate and Elections.

dont forget that just before the coup a new set of elections commission HAD been appointed.....

[lazeeboy]

Perhaps they thought the phone-in to the taxi driver's pirate radio station might have precipitated another suicide mission from a weary driver, akin to what we witnessed in Bangkok when one couragous driver took his life in his hands by ramming a tank with his Toyota Corolla.

i wonder if the main radio stations in bkk were approach by taksins people and refused to air him,3 up country station is a bit lame,but it did its job stirred the pot of <deleted> ,keeps him in the news ,exactly what he wants ,why does'nt he just go away and enjoy his money and family,he really is an egotistical meglamaniac

[alexth]

I don't even understand why we're talking about elections. The "elections" have already been made and they know who is coming next (if there will be any change). It will still be the junta, but maybe, maybe under a different name and face. The principles will be the same. I have no doubt about it.

[slimdog]

The issue, apparently, is that this radio station did not have the licence to operate. Any media outlet - whether a radio station, newspaper or magazine, must have a Government licence to operate. That's not about free speech or censorship, that's about abiding by the pre-existing rules.

What's happened, in my opinion, is the Government has found an easy option to punish them for giving Taksin a voice. Only the radio station is to blame for not having the licence to operate; if they'd had one then it would have been much harder to hurt them.

There is a reason they didn't have a licence. There is NO regulatory authority to issue one..

The 1997 constitution advocated the greater use of local community stations, as a means of getting information to the local population, as opposed to the tanoy speakers which can be found in most villages. The 1997 constitution also advocated the setting up of a nation broadcasting council, so that frequencies could be allocated (Article 40). Since 1997 the NBC has never been formed, so every radio station set up in the past 10 years (which is every community radio station) is unlicenced, and there are many thousands of these scattered throughout the kingdom, without licences or the possibility of getting a licence. The last attempt to form a NBC was stopped by the administratve court because there was only 13 people for the senate to chose from, rather than the 14 which is mandated (One person dropped out).

[highdiver]

Previously exiled people didn't have mobile phones, internet etc. They also didn't have a constituency that had mobile phones, internet etc.

For all we know he might have used a landline to call those stations.

It's not like he accidentally farted in public, his ungentlemanly behaviour has been consistent from the start.

I admire your enacity in trying to defend coup's and no democracy etc

Where do you come from - do they have free speech and democracy there?

from your favorite country Singapore. or Vitenam or is it china

[Prakanong]

Previously exiled people didn't have mobile phones, internet etc. They also didn't have a constituency that had mobile phones, internet etc.

For all we know he might have used a landline to call those stations.

It's not like he accidentally farted in public, his ungentlemanly behaviour has been consistent from the start.

I admire your enacity in trying to defend coup's and no democracy etc

Where do you come from - do they have free speech and democracy there?

from your favorite country Singapore. or Vitenam or is it china

Hi there google boy

Edited May 18, 2007 by Prakanong

[andy1308]

The issue, apparently, is that this radio station did not have the licence to operate. Any media outlet - whether a radio station, newspaper or magazine, must have a Government licence to operate. That's not about free speech or censorship, that's about abiding by the pre-existing rules.

What's happened, in my opinion, is the Government has found an easy option to punish them for giving Taksin a voice. Only the radio station is to blame for not having the licence to operate; if they'd had one then it would have been much harder to hurt them.

There is a reason they didn't have a licence. There is NO regulatory authority to issue one..

The 1997 constitution advocated the greater use of local community stations, as a means of getting information to the local population, as opposed to the tanoy speakers which can be found in most villages. The 1997 constitution also advocated the setting up of a nation broadcasting council, so that frequencies could be allocated (Article 40). Since 1997 the NBC has never been formed, so every radio station set up in the past 10 years (which is every community radio station) is unlicenced, and there are many thousands of these scattered throughout the kingdom, without licences or the possibility of getting a licence. The last attempt to form a NBC was stopped by the administratve court because there was only 13 people for the senate to chose from, rather than the 14 which is mandated (One person dropped out).

I am not doubting what you say, but we (my company) has recently applied for a licence to produce a new magazine and the form (in Thai but translated accurately) applies to all media. I'm not entirely sure which authority has to approve it but the application mentioned all forms of broadcast and print media.

[slimdog]

Print Media is different. Article 40 (which I quoted) states:

Transmission frequencies for radio or television broadcasting and radio telecommunication are national communication resources for public interest.

There shall be an independent regulatory body having the duty to distribute the frequencies under paragraph one and supervise radio or television broadcasting and telecommunication businesses as provided by law.

[sriracha john]

Forego the constitution completion and have an election before December? Under what rules? What parties can run? and a million other practical questions...

actually that is feasible....to hold elections without the need to re-write the entire constitution. but with amendments to some of the acts related to MPs, Senate and Elections.

dont forget that just before the coup a new set of elections commission HAD been appointed.....

Do you mean they can Scotch-tape the '97 paper back together again? There are so many intertwined issues regarding the installation of a Parliament and election laws and etc. that it seems only workable to have an entire constitution written and not just a "mini-version." Besides, what parties are going to run? How much time do we allow for campaigning? How soon is the soon he refers to? Sorry... but it's just vintage Thaksin antagonizing to agitate the situation. There's nothing to be gained by turning everything on its head and then speeding up the elections in order to save a few months. Let things ride out with the new paper, get past the fallout of the May 30th Make or Break Day, assign the candidates..... and have everyone vote on December 16/23.

If the above time-lines start falling by the wayside, THEN start taking action.... but Thaksin, who people waited patiently for, as nearly six years ticked by, hoping things would get better under his tyrannical rule, wants people to not have any patience with the current government. All of a sudden, a period of several months is too long.

Edited May 18, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The issue, apparently, is that this radio station did not have the licence to operate. Any media outlet - whether a radio station, newspaper or magazine, must have a Government licence to operate. That's not about free speech or censorship, that's about abiding by the pre-existing rules.

What's happened, in my opinion, is the Government has found an easy option to punish them for giving Taksin a voice. Only the radio station is to blame for not having the licence to operate; if they'd had one then it would have been much harder to hurt them.

There is a reason they didn't have a licence. There is NO regulatory authority to issue one..

The 1997 constitution advocated the greater use of local community stations, as a means of getting information to the local population, as opposed to the tanoy speakers which can be found in most villages. The 1997 constitution also advocated the setting up of a nation broadcasting council, so that frequencies could be allocated (Article 40). Since 1997 the NBC has never been formed, so every radio station set up in the past 10 years (which is every community radio station) is unlicenced, and there are many thousands of these scattered throughout the kingdom, without licences or the possibility of getting a licence. The last attempt to form a NBC was stopped by the administratve court because there was only 13 people for the senate to chose from, rather than the 14 which is mandated (One person dropped out).

Yes, it's noteworthy that Thaksin, with his TRT and control of Parliament and just about every other ancillary aspect of the entire government, chose not to allow the NBC to get set up, despite nearly six years of unhindered control which would have allowed him to do so in an afternoon.

Why is that?

Edited May 18, 2007 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Leader Abhisit disagrees with closing of community radio that interviews Dr. Thaksin

The Democrat Party leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, disagrees with the closing of the community radio station that broadcasted speeches of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as doing so would make the society view that the former premier was being bullied.

Mr. Abhisit says the interview through community radio by Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra was doable as it was an expression of personal ideas. He says the government and the Council for National Security must consider their actions carefully as any intense measure would add weight to the justification of the former premiere and society would see it as a bullying upon the former premier. Mr. Abhisit says agencies cited in Dr. Thaksin's interview should make clarifications to the public instead of having the government shut down the radio station.

Mr. Abhisit also says he supports the Constitutional Drafting Assembly's removal of Section 2 of Article 68, regarding organizations for the solving of political crises. He says this should reduce conflicts over the donstitution draft.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

ACM Chalit considers interview of Dr. Thaksin w/ community radio as usual

The Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and Council for National Security (CNS) Deputy Chairman, ACM Chalit Pookpasuk, considers former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s interview with a community radio station as normal because a person who will be prosecuted would want to make some movements.

However, ACM Chalit would like the justice and legal system to resolve the case. He says he believes this is not a worrying issue and public members do understand the actual situation. He says if the action is legal, then nothing can be done. In addition, he reiterates that the CNS and the Royal Thai Army has done nothing to make Dr. Thaksin feels irate following the political reformation. He says the CNS has done what is right or better for the country.

ACM Chalit has turned down the rumours that CNS Chairman Sonthi Boonyaratglin and the government are at odds, saying the two sides have always worked together to solve national problems. He says it is up to how people perceive the news and information. He has asked people not to be worried as everyone needs to bring peace back to the country and help amend the constitution draft.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2007

[Mid]

ACM Chalit considers interview of Dr. Thaksin w/ community radio as usual

The Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and Council for National Security (CNS) Deputy Chairman, ACM Chalit Pookpasuk, considers former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s interview with a community radio station as normal because a person who will be prosecuted would want to make some movements.

However, ACM Chalit would like the justice and legal system to resolve the case. He says he believes this is not a worrying issue and public members do understand the actual situation. He says if the action is legal, then nothing can be done. In addition, he reiterates that the CNS and the Royal Thai Army has done nothing to make Dr. Thaksin feels irate following the political reformation. He says the CNS has done what is right or better for the country.

ACM Chalit has turned down the rumours that CNS Chairman Sonthi Boonyaratglin and the government are at odds, saying the two sides have always worked together to solve national problems. He says it is up to how people perceive the news and information. He has asked people not to be worried as everyone needs to bring peace back to the country and help amend the constitution draft.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2007

usual does not equal normal ,

to wit , I'm logged in to Tv as usual but not in the normal way .......................................

Edited May 18, 2007 by Mid

[jumnien]

Very sad to see the Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force commenting on community radio and free speech, but that's where we're at post-junta. Of course, Sonthi says it never was a coup, just a military intervention. For these guys to be judging anyone, let alone Thaksin and the Democratic Party is absurd.

Edited May 18, 2007 by mdeland

[slimdog]

The issue, apparently, is that this radio station did not have the licence to operate. Any media outlet - whether a radio station, newspaper or magazine, must have a Government licence to operate. That's not about free speech or censorship, that's about abiding by the pre-existing rules.

What's happened, in my opinion, is the Government has found an easy option to punish them for giving Taksin a voice. Only the radio station is to blame for not having the licence to operate; if they'd had one then it would have been much harder to hurt them.

There is a reason they didn't have a licence. There is NO regulatory authority to issue one..

The 1997 constitution advocated the greater use of local community stations, as a means of getting information to the local population, as opposed to the tanoy speakers which can be found in most villages. The 1997 constitution also advocated the setting up of a nation broadcasting council, so that frequencies could be allocated (Article 40). Since 1997 the NBC has never been formed, so every radio station set up in the past 10 years (which is every community radio station) is unlicenced, and there are many thousands of these scattered throughout the kingdom, without licences or the possibility of getting a licence. The last attempt to form a NBC was stopped by the administratve court because there was only 13 people for the senate to chose from, rather than the 14 which is mandated (One person dropped out).

Yes, it's noteworthy that Thaksin, with his TRT and control of Parliament and just about every other ancillary aspect of the entire government, chose not to allow the NBC to get set up, despite nearly six years of unhindered control which would have allowed him to do so in an afternoon.

Why is that?

To the best of my knowledge, the two panels that needed to be set up, one involving telecoms and the other tv and radio were supposed to be Independant authorities, nominated in such a way as to eliminate Political interference. So it wasn't in either Thaksin's or prior to that Chuan's power to set the panels up

[Plus]

They were supposed to be selected by the Senate that was under Thaksin's control. Not legally, not on paper, but nevertheless.

[Tony Clifton]

Calling radio stations shows the same attitude he had when having a meeting in Singapore, knowing full well it will upset many and keep his name in the news . He keeps talking about reconciliation, has promised he was out of politics but keeps insisting on making waves. Selfish prick.

[alexth]

Calling radio stations shows the same attitude he had when having a meeting in Singapore, knowing full well it will upset many and keep his name in the news . He keeps talking about reconciliation, has promised he was out of politics but keeps insisting on making waves. Selfish prick.

Tony, what's your problem? Have you been raped by Thaksin? I don't really understand what your point is, since he got replaced by more greedy, selfish, stupid and closed minded military guys and the country is going down faster everyday...

[Siripon]

So why did Thaksin choose to call yesterday?

The 15 year anniversary of Black May. He's trying to show he's a true democrat.

But where was he at the time of Black May? Was he in the front line along with Jamlong Srimuang who later gave Thaksin his party Palang Tham, Thaksin's introduction to politics.

No, of course not, he had just concluded a state concession deal with 'Big Jord', one of the 3 army generals who had led the coup against the democratically elected leader Chartchai, how could he demonstrate against the great dictators!?

[admiraldy]

The governing Junta are doing more harm to themselves than to Taksin , by banning his speeches and interviews , because in this way the people will be more eager to listen to what Taksin is saying .

Why are they so afraid from him , to not allow him to speak? , i do believe in this way Taksin will start to win again the sympathy of the Thai people .

[Siripon]

Very sad to see the Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force commenting on community radio and free speech, but that's where we're at post-junta. Of course, Sonthi says it never was a coup, just a military intervention. For these guys to be judging anyone, let alone Thaksin and the Democratic Party is absurd.

'These guys' are not judging the party dissolution cases. The Constitutional Court judging the cases comprises members of the Adminstrative Court and the Supreme Court; both are considered to have judges that consider legal matters as opposed to political concerns, paramount.

[Plus]

The governing Junta are doing more harm to themselves than to Taksin , by banning his speeches and interviews , because in this way the people will be more eager to listen to what Taksin is saying .

True only if people know Thaksin is talking - "What did he say? Did you hear that?". Junta's goal is to shut him up, out of people's minds and memories.

Whether you like the coup or not but Thaksin constant blabbering something and trying to get into the news doesn't do the country any good.

[blaze]

Very sad to see the Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force commenting on community radio and free speech, but that's where we're at post-junta. Of course, Sonthi says it never was a coup, just a military intervention. For these guys to be judging anyone, let alone Thaksin and the Democratic Party is absurd.

'These guys' are not judging the party dissolution cases. The Constitutional Court judging the cases comprises members of the Adminstrative Court and the Supreme Court; both are considered to have judges that consider legal matters as opposed to political concerns, paramount.

And if the evidence- IF the evidence points to a guilty verdict for the Democrats but a not guilty verdict to the TRT- the judges will rule accordingly?

[chownah]

Junta's goal is to shut him up, out of people's minds and memories.

censorship, mind control, and rewriting history

Edited May 18, 2007 by chownah

[marquess]

Junta's goal is to shut him up, out of people's minds and memories.

censorship, mind control, and rewriting history

Wasn't that Winston Smith's job at the Ministry of Truth? I wonder how many people they have working in the fiction dept?

Edited May 22, 2007 by Jai Dee
Font formatting codes removed for better readability

[nick2k]

Very sad to see the Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force commenting on community radio and free speech, but that's where we're at post-junta. Of course, Sonthi says it never was a coup, just a military intervention. For these guys to be judging anyone, let alone Thaksin and the Democratic Party is absurd.

'These guys' are not judging the party dissolution cases. The Constitutional Court judging the cases comprises members of the Adminstrative Court and the Supreme Court; both are considered to have judges that consider legal matters as opposed to political concerns, paramount.

these people go to the middle east for consultations, and then, dictate to people what they should say, or not say. and now, you want us to believe they are not influencing the judges perhaps even with bodily harm?

personally, I am about to leave the "land of smiles". I can see the writing on the wall.

[nick2k]

have you read the book - 1984?

[endure]

Chip in as well. Watching BBC World last night around 10.30 - a badlight break in the cricket - they included a very brief item on the soon to be Man City chairman, "talking about no stability if election dates not met"- I presume the newsreader was reporting what he said to the radio stations over libary pictures of him out on the stump - but they then added a warning had been issued that if media outlets reported this, then they would be taken off air. I can see absolutely no record of this on their main internet site this morning so I am guessing that the BBC are following the junta's ruling.....

So, censorship extends right to the world's permier impartial broadcaster.....what we are really waiting for is Sondhi to get jealous of what is happening next door with the russkies and that junta and for him to triumphantly annouce his own plans for nuclear reactors......

I don't think so...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6666907.stm