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

[John K]

Looks like just another dance with the devil.

[Thaising]

Thailand detains Thaksin's supporters amid media crackdown

BANGKOK - Military-run Thailand on Friday detained three supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra while launching a nationwide radio crackdown after closing three broadcasters which aired his comments.

The detentions were the first against dissidents since the military overthrew Thaksin's twice-elected government in September last year.

The men, aged in their 30s, were preparing for an anti-government rally in the former premier's home province of Chiang Mai, 650 kilometres (400 miles) north of Bangkok when they were seized, police said.

TV footage showed military officers putting one Thaksin supporter in the back of a pick-up truck. They also seized dozens of pro-Thaksin booklets at the scene.

The move coincided with the government's nationwide crackdown on 3,000 community radio stations after authorities shut down three Bangkok stations which broadcast telephone calls from Thaksin, who now lives in London.

"The public relations department is checking content on every community radio station to see whether it violates our national security," Phachern Khamphoe, deputy director general of the department, told AFP.

The former prime minister, 57, has remained in self-exile since the September coup.

While he has previously spoken to international media following the putsch, Thaksin's intervention this week marked his first contact with local media since the military takeover.

In the wake of the media crackdown, representatives from 13 community radio stations sent a joint letter to the government Friday, urging it to respect freedom of expression.

But the government reiterated its warning that authorities will take action if stations air comments from Thaksin.

The government will shut down "radio stations that broadcast content deems threat to our national security or could cause divisions among the public," said Thirapat Sereerangsan, a minister attached to the prime minister's office.

"I would like to warn all operators not to be manipulated by politicians," Thirapat, who is in charge of the public relations department, told reporters.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai, where the three Thaksin supporters were detained, is among 35 provinces out of Thailand's 76 provinces that remain under martial law.

The restrictions remain in force across much of the rural north, the powerbase of ousted Thaksin, as well as in some southern provinces where a separatist insurgency rages.

The government lifted martial law in the remaining 41 areas, including Bangkok, in January.

While anti-government protests have become more frequent in the capital, no one has been detained for voicing opposition.

Thaksin called for early elections and voiced concern for the rural poor during the radio shows he called this week.

The ousted premier won support among farmers and low-income workers by injecting money into the rural economy.

Farmers account for roughly 60 percent of Thailand's 65-million population. - AFP

[mumbu]

All previsously ousted Thais behave gentelmanly, Thaksin is the first.

The coup makers expected Thaksin to follow unspoken rules and customs - don't stir up shit, wait out, come back and sit quetly, you'll have enough money for the rest of your life.

Plus,

you are bulshiting as usual. Junta tries to indite khun Thaksin and pretty much all his family without having any ground (as you

said yourself). They try to dessolve major political parties, they disbanded supreme court. What kind of rules you are talking about? I will tell you: you know nothing abput Thailand and reading websites and "Googling" every two minutes does not make you a real observer.

just a bunch of bulshit.

[Tony Clifton]

[sriracha john]

Plus,

you are bullshiting as usual. Junta...........

This is all an absolute bullshit. According to your "theory" all........

I see a pattern developing...

[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.

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?

If you have been following the cases the most conclusive evidence so far has been the bank transfer of money to the recipients \candidates of unknown parties to run alongside TRT in the uncontested seats in the south. Hard to contest that.

The evidence in the Democrat's case is hearsay.

But let's wait for the verdicts and reasoning. Don't forget each individual judge has to publicly explain the rationale behind his decision in writing.

[Siripon]

have you read the book - 1984?

A good book. Orwell knew the East a little, 'Burmese Days', but I never wanted to go to England after reading 'The Road to Wigan Pier' and 'Down and out in Paris and London'

Is it really as dreary as portrayed?

But you shouldn't think the Thai government are like the thought police in '1984'. They're just jumpy about Thaksin, but if you read Thai newspapers and listen to the radio you'll find plenty of criticism of the government.

Let the courts decide the cases, the evidence must be clear, if Thaksin is so sure he's innocent why should he be worried?

Edited May 19, 2007 by Siripon

[ratcatcher]

All previsously ousted Thais behave gentelmanly, Thaksin is the first.

The coup makers expected Thaksin to follow unspoken rules and customs - don't stir up shit, wait out, come back and sit quetly, you'll have enough money for the rest of your life.

Plus,

you are bulshiting as usual. Junta tries to indite khun Thaksin and pretty much all his family without having any ground (as you

said yourself). They try to dessolve major political parties, they disbanded supreme court. What kind of rules you are talking about? I will tell you: you know nothing abput Thailand and reading websites and "Googling" every two minutes does not make you a real observer.

just a bunch of bulshit.

Mumbu Jumbu!

Edited May 19, 2007 by ratcatcher

[John K]

Plus,

you are bullshiting as usual. Junta...........

This is all an absolute bullshit. According to your "theory" all........

I see a pattern developing...

Should I start profiling?

[younghusband]

have you read the book - 1984?

A good book. Orwell knew the East a little, 'Burmese Days', but I never wanted to go to England after reading 'The Road to Wigan Pier' and 'Down and out in Paris and London'

Is it really as dreary as portrayed?

But you shouldn't think the Thai government are like the thought police in '1984'. They're just jumpy about Thaksin, but if you read Thai newspapers and listen to the radio you'll find plenty of criticism of the government.

Let the courts decide the cases, the evidence must be clear, if Thaksin is so sure he's innocent why should he be worried?

Actually Orwell knew the East, or at least Burma, very well having served there for several years as a policeman.In "Burmese Days" he brilliantly conveys the moral bankruptcy of colonialism, and the stupendous boredom of life for British officials.Observers of Orwell at the time have pointed out that he didn't appear that different to the other pukka sahibs.

Yes the England described in "Wigan Pier" (title is a rather laboured joke by the way) and "Down and Out" is very depressing, made more so by Orwell's horror of dirt and squalor.However since both were written nearly 70 years ago, you might want to consider a more up to date guide if you're considering an English vacation.

I tend to agree though the government at the moment would like to censor criticism, in practice it is unable to very efficiently.

[Bryan in Isaan]

Is Thaksin that popular, and the junta that fragile that they have to practice this level of censorship and keep half of the provinces under martial law? Are they afraid that he could actually return to power if there was a free media and open elections?

[younghusband]

Is Thaksin that popular, and the junta that fragile that they have to practice this level of censorship and keep half of the provinces under martial law? Are they afraid that he could actually return to power if there was a free media and open elections?

Short answer is yes on all counts.

[marquess]

Is Thaksin that popular, and the junta that fragile that they have to practice this level of censorship and keep half of the provinces under martial law? Are they afraid that he could actually return to power if there was a free media and open elections?

Short answer is yes on all counts.

I am no Thaksin supporter, as I think he was one of biggest liars and cheats to enter Thai politics. However one possible lasting effect of his legacy, is that the small man, may at last be on the road to empowerment, and if in the long term it means the long term marginilisation of the Phu Yai, in favour of the rank and file, then that has to be better for the country. After all what right do they think that they have to know what is best for everyone? Money, Education, or some God given right?

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

[John K]

Is Thaksin that popular, and the junta that fragile that they have to practice this level of censorship and keep half of the provinces under martial law? Are they afraid that he could actually return to power if there was a free media and open elections?

Short answer is yes on all counts.

Longer answer;

Thaksin did a good job at dividing the country as it suited his agenda. It would have allowed him to declare a state of emergency of the same magnitude as the south. Right now the healing process is at a fragile and the Junta wants to see it proceed with the least amount of aggravation. It certainly will take much longer for the undereducated Thais to understand things and that is where Thaksin’s power still is although diminished some.

The rallies in the last several weeks have all been self serving and certainly don’t have Thailand’s best interest in mind. The have been keep me out of jail, don’t dissolve my party, Thaksin is the victim of the junta, the government is too slow, and so on.

If allowed to progress along the present timetable I feel most Thais will accept it. If there was no end in sight then I could see the rallies and protest having substance. At the moment the censorship is the only thing worth having a rally about as it seems to have become somewhat of a weed.

Censoring to more than anti government I see as questionable at the least. I feel the junta is using the Ministry of Culture as a front to employ more censorship. Hopefully common sense will prevail when the new government is seated. I don’t see much use for the Ministry of Culture when the natural order of things is to evolve and change. If she wishes to embrace Thai culture then having a Mia noi, topless women in public, and extreme male dominance and abuse of women is part of the past.

To answer you question, there are two things to consider. One of the things they teach in the military is never underestimate the enemy, and the other is Thaksin will do anything to get his way. By disallowing Thaksin the opportunity to start a civil war, that will keep tanks off the streets and keep the timetable for elections from being revised.

[younghusband]

Is Thaksin that popular, and the junta that fragile that they have to practice this level of censorship and keep half of the provinces under martial law? Are they afraid that he could actually return to power if there was a free media and open elections?

Short answer is yes on all counts.

I am no Thaksin supporter, as I think he was one of biggest liars and cheats to enter Thai politics. However one possible lasting effect of his legacy, is that the small man, may at last be on the road to empowerment, and if in the long term it means the long term marginilisation of the Phu Yai, in favour of the rank and file, then that has to be better for the country. After all what right do they think that they have to know what is best for everyone? Money, Education, or some God given right?

The competition for liars and cheats in Thai politics is very stiff, and while I too am no Thaksin supporter I'm not sure he deserves a place in the first division - but let that pass.

Broadly speaking your thesis is accurate.The genie is out of the bottle and the Thai majority can never again be taken for granted, with all the shift in economic resources, including education, that implies.However it is not necessary for the establishment classes to be marginalised and much will depend on their talent for enlightened self interest.Realistically political leadership tends to come from the monied and educated classes in all countries.

In Thailand in the future there will be greater social mobility and an end to feudal attitudes.Even though the educated and middle classes will continue to provide political leadership, it will be on the basis that the Thai people as a whole will have the right to choose that leadership.I think the current dreadful government will be seen in the future as a unpleasant aberration.However if the attitude continues to be that the Thai majority are just ignorant and corrupt peasants, we should not be surprised if one day -and god help us all if that day comes-when the tumbrils roll like drums in the night.

[Bryan in Isaan]

That would be the happy ending, that the rich and educuted, who run the country will see that genie is indeed out of the bottle.

Even if Thaksin was as bad for the country as some people think he was - I won't argue that point here - he was a populist. If the upcountry poor, the majority, are ignored again, there will be other "Thaksins".

[younghusband]

Is Thaksin that popular, and the junta that fragile that they have to practice this level of censorship and keep half of the provinces under martial law? Are they afraid that he could actually return to power if there was a free media and open elections?

Short answer is yes on all counts.

Longer answer;

Thaksin did a good job at dividing the country as it suited his agenda. It would have allowed him to declare a state of emergency of the same magnitude as the south. Right now the healing process is at a fragile and the Junta wants to see it proceed with the least amount of aggravation. It certainly will take much longer for the undereducated Thais to understand things and that is where Thaksin’s power still is although diminished some.

The rallies in the last several weeks have all been self serving and certainly don’t have Thailand’s best interest in mind. The have been keep me out of jail, don’t dissolve my party, Thaksin is the victim of the junta, the government is too slow, and so on.

If allowed to progress along the present timetable I feel most Thais will accept it. If there was no end in sight then I could see the rallies and protest having substance. At the moment the censorship is the only thing worth having a rally about as it seems to have become somewhat of a weed.

Censoring to more than anti government I see as questionable at the least. I feel the junta is using the Ministry of Culture as a front to employ more censorship. Hopefully common sense will prevail when the new government is seated. I don’t see much use for the Ministry of Culture when the natural order of things is to evolve and change. If she wishes to embrace Thai culture then having a Mia noi, topless women in public, and extreme male dominance and abuse of women is part of the past.

To answer you question, there are two things to consider. One of the things they teach in the military is never underestimate the enemy, and the other is Thaksin will do anything to get his way. By disallowing Thaksin the opportunity to start a civil war, that will keep tanks off the streets and keep the timetable for elections from being revised.

For the benefit of those who are struggling with Polish? being transformed into a form of English gobledegook by Google translator, the answer is yes on all counts.Seriously, with the best will in the world I haven't the faintest idea what the poster is on about.Mia noi, topless women, extreme dominance,junta using Ministry of Culture as a front:my mind is reeling and I haven't had a drink for months.If there is an intelligible thought process at work, perhaps someone would let me know.

[Siripon]

That would be the happy ending, that the rich and educuted, who run the country will see that genie is indeed out of the bottle.

Even if Thaksin was as bad for the country as some people think he was - I won't argue that point here - he was a populist. If the upcountry poor, the majority, are ignored again, there will be other "Thaksins".

The rural majority have never been ignored, in the past rural fiefdoms run by the local bosses such as Banharn, Snoh, Suwit, Suwat, Somsak,Pijit, Chavalit, Newin, etc ensured their constituents and factions received benefits compatible with their number of seats. They were local populists.

For an example visit Supanburi and its 4 lane roads and sports centres.

All Thaksin did was buy them all up and promise freebies on a national scale.

Tell me one example of a genuine peasant in the TRT cabinets. They were all rich businessmen!

Tell me one example of empowerment of the masses by Thaksin.

I disagree with Surayud's decision to cancel elections for village heads and puyai ban, but guess who first introduced those elections?

The Army Peace-Keeping Council who overthrew Chartchai in 1991, somewhat ironic!

[John K]

Sorry younghusband, I got carried away on seemingly what is becoming select censorship to repaint Thai history in a different light (Mia noi and so on). There are two censorship forces at work at the moment. The Minister of culture who seems to be attacking any woman that looks better and is sexier than her, and the junta who is looking to avoid rough seas leading up to the elections. From what I see and unless I missed something you can fairly clearly see who is saying what to unplug. Politics the junta, sexy and provocative the Minister of culture. I just wanted to point out in no uncertain way that part of the censorship in Thailand seems to be driven by vanity.

[younghusband]

Sorry younghusband, I got carried away on seemingly what is becoming select censorship to repaint Thai history in a different light (Mia noi and so on). There are two censorship forces at work at the moment. The Minister of culture who seems to be attacking any woman that looks better and is sexier than her, and the junta who is looking to avoid rough seas leading up to the elections. From what I see and unless I missed something you can fairly clearly see who is saying what to unplug. Politics the junta, sexy and provocative the Minister of culture. I just wanted to point out in no uncertain way that part of the censorship in Thailand seems to be driven by vanity.

I'm sorry but you continue to be completely unintelligble.I can decipher your actually rather sexist comment (forum rules abuse?) about the Minister of Culture, but you have lost me with the rest of this (censored!).

[PeaceBlondie]

At least you folks seem to be limiting your attacks against each other to what you actually say (although ignorant drivel is carrying it too far), but let's not be too mean to the Ministress of Culture, since she has to play the game with the cards (facially) that she was dealt.

Thank you; please carry on.

[Rhys]

Baliff .. whack his pp... 555555

[Siripon]

have you read the book - 1984?

I see the deputy chief constable of Hampshire Police, Mr Ian Redhead, described England as turning into a country like '1984' with CCTV cameras even in villages with low crime levels.

My boss told me he couldn't risk taking his mia noi to London anymore as the number of CCTV cameras meant it was impossible to be discreet!

[Plus]

That would be the happy ending, that the rich and educuted, who run the country will see that genie is indeed out of the bottle.

Even if Thaksin was as bad for the country as some people think he was - I won't argue that point here - he was a populist. If the upcountry poor, the majority, are ignored again, there will be other "Thaksins".

His populist platform was written by former communists. It is a genie out of the bottle, indeed, to a degree that communism empowers lower classes.

[John K]

Ok younghusband then all I can say is check some of the other threads that were spawned by the Ministry of culture. Popular people posing nud_e to raise money for a charity, certain groups of dancers under attack, magazine cover content and so on. That has nothing at all to do with culture and everything to do with being sexy. I can’t even see the connection between that and culture. I see culture more as personal and not professional. Enough on this.... for now. We can take this up in one of the other related threads, just pm me if you wish to debate it there.

[Bryan in Isaan]

That would be the happy ending, that the rich and educuted, who run the country will see that genie is indeed out of the bottle.

Even if Thaksin was as bad for the country as some people think he was - I won't argue that point here - he was a populist. If the upcountry poor, the majority, are ignored again, there will be other "Thaksins".

His populist platform was written by former communists. It is a genie out of the bottle, indeed, to a degree that communism empowers lower classes.

So - Would you say that Thaksin is something like a Hugo Chavez? Or a left-winger from USA?

They draws their support from redistribution of wealth.

Edited May 22, 2007 by Bryan in Isaan

[Siripon]

That would be the happy ending, that the rich and educuted, who run the country will see that genie is indeed out of the bottle.

Even if Thaksin was as bad for the country as some people think he was - I won't argue that point here - he was a populist. If the upcountry poor, the majority, are ignored again, there will be other "Thaksins".

His populist platform was written by former communists. It is a genie out of the bottle, indeed, to a degree that communism empowers lower classes.

So - Would you say that Thaksin is something like a Hugo Chavez? Or a left-winger from USA?

They draws their support from redistribution of wealth.

Thaksin was certainly adept at redistributing wealth- from the taxpayer and general public to his pockets, his state concession regarding the mobile phone in the early 1990s cost a pricey 500 baht rental per customer per month, a monopoly like the present UBC in those days.

His off- the- balance sheet loans from state banks, lavish spending tours to promote TRT, remember the mobile cabinet tours by train with hundreds of police and civil servants and countless promotions cost the long suffering paying public a fortune.

His true genius was in his loans to the poor, either through the village fund, paid by the taxpayer, no questions asked, but nothing too much like over 10,000 baht usually- just enough to buy a mobile phone, AIS naturally.

And if they couldn't pay back in time, well, of course he set up a finance company with high interest rates 'Capital OK' ! A true win -win situation!

[Aujuba]

Thaksin is a dirtbag and will always be. His story is written. If anyone likes his genius, there are many other rotten historical figures who they might like too. Thaksin saw the deaths of many Thais under his administration while he filled his pockets 'helping' Thailand. If he's gone forever Thailand would be much better off.

Thaksin was not alone. There are lots of disgusting corrupt Thais who really worthless to the people of their country. Corruption is out of control here. Sadly a lot of people including foreigners quietly accept corruption and by doing so empower the corrupt. Corruption is the rape of society. Change will come for Thailand but with so many diehard bloodsuckers in Thailand that change might not come through peaceful actions.

[dkstoney]

I'm surprised we're even allowed to have an opinion about the actions of the government concerning their decision to act like fascists and close down a radio station and then threaten the rest of them with a crackdown. (Basically, if you know what's good for you you'll,......)

[Tony Clifton]

Thaksin is a dirtbag and will always be. His story is written. If anyone likes his genius, there are many other rotten historical figures who they might like too. Thaksin saw the deaths of many Thais under his administration while he filled his pockets 'helping' Thailand. If he's gone forever Thailand would be much better off.

Thaksin was not alone. There are lots of disgusting corrupt Thais who really worthless to the people of their country. Corruption is out of control here. Sadly a lot of people including foreigners quietly accept corruption and by doing so empower the corrupt. Corruption is the rape of society. Change will come for Thailand but with so many diehard bloodsuckers in Thailand that change might not come through peaceful actions.