Politics Thai Journalists Association Defends Media Freedom After PM Confrontation

[snoop1130]

Photo via Facebook/ Ing Shinawatra

 

In response to a recent confrontation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and a journalist, the Thai Journalists Association has urged officials working closely with the PM to avoid intimidating behaviour towards the press. The incident occurred during a June 4 interview concerning a sensitive issue between Thailand and Cambodia, with tensions rising when the PM challenged a reporter's question about territorial encroachment.

 

The 38-year-old Prime Minister deflected the reporter's inquiry, suggesting the journalist visit the conflict zone with officials. The confrontation escalated when the reporter laughed at the suggestion, leading Paetongtarn to respond with noticeable irritation: “Oh, what’s wrong? Journalists are fierce today.”

 

The situation took a turn when images and information about the journalist began circulating on social media, receiving backlash from supporters of the Prime Minister. Although it's unclear whether the leak originated from Paetongtarn’s team, the spread of this information drew criticism for potentially compromising media safety.

 

The Thai Journalists Association released a statement defending press rights, emphasizing the detrimental impact of actions that intimidate journalists and compromise their ability to report truthfully. The association highlighted that recording and sharing journalists' images while confronting public figures constitutes undue pressure and undermines press freedom.

 

Such actions, the association warned, could dissuade journalists from covering sensitive topics, ultimately harming the democratic process. The association called for the PM’s team and related government departments to cultivate an environment that respects and protects journalistic integrity.

 

A parliamentary journalist representative raised the issue on June 11, during a press conference with senior government officials. The representative urged the government to avoid any measures that could infringe upon press freedom. Although the officials acknowledged the concern, they did not provide a response or solution to the request.

 

The association's stance reaffirms the critical role of a free press in democracy and calls for constructive dialogue to safeguard journalistic independence. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the media in maintaining transparency and accountability within governmental affairs.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-12

 

 

[WEBBYB808]

There's never going to be true free speech with the defamation law twisted like it is!

[lordgrinz]

Maybe she has some of her Dad's dictator blood in her after all.

[Enzian]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

Maybe she has some of her Dad's dictator blood in her after all.

Unpopular opinion I know, but maybe there's some advantage to the Asian preference for a "strong man" (or woman as the case may be). Her expression in the photo is impressive. Still, I would have liked to see what Pita could do.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The confrontation escalated when the reporter laughed at the suggestion, leading Paetongtarn to respond with noticeable irritation: “Oh, what’s wrong? Journalists are fierce today.”

Having a bad day or worried about protecting daddy ?

[ronster]

Must be a nightmare being a journalist here as you can't say anything even if true without being threatened with defamation 🙈

[Thingamabob]

The Bangkok Post is noticeably less confrontational than it once was, and has never replaced the sadly missed Bernard Trink and his Nite Owl column which was explicit in depicting Bangkok's nightlife, and ran for nearly 40 years. 

[Aussie999]

media freedom  555, not acceptable to the government or military

[Look Chang]

I miss Bernard Trink and his famous Nite Owl column in the Bangkok Post.

 

 

 

[AustinRacing]

Well it’s Thai culture. Can’t make someone lose face. Period. Speaking of which maybe it was that time of the month. 😬😬😬

[Reddavy]

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo via Facebook/ Ing Shinawatra

 

In response to a recent confrontation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and a journalist, the Thai Journalists Association has urged officials working closely with the PM to avoid intimidating behaviour towards the press. The incident occurred during a June 4 interview concerning a sensitive issue between Thailand and Cambodia, with tensions rising when the PM challenged a reporter's question about territorial encroachment.

 

The 38-year-old Prime Minister deflected the reporter's inquiry, suggesting the journalist visit the conflict zone with officials. The confrontation escalated when the reporter laughed at the suggestion, leading Paetongtarn to respond with noticeable irritation: “Oh, what’s wrong? Journalists are fierce today.”

 

The situation took a turn when images and information about the journalist began circulating on social media, receiving backlash from supporters of the Prime Minister. Although it's unclear whether the leak originated from Paetongtarn’s team, the spread of this information drew criticism for potentially compromising media safety.

 

The Thai Journalists Association released a statement defending press rights, emphasizing the detrimental impact of actions that intimidate journalists and compromise their ability to report truthfully. The association highlighted that recording and sharing journalists' images while confronting public figures constitutes undue pressure and undermines press freedom.

 

Such actions, the association warned, could dissuade journalists from covering sensitive topics, ultimately harming the democratic process. The association called for the PM’s team and related government departments to cultivate an environment that respects and protects journalistic integrity.

 

A parliamentary journalist representative raised the issue on June 11, during a press conference with senior government officials. The representative urged the government to avoid any measures that could infringe upon press freedom. Although the officials acknowledged the concern, they did not provide a response or solution to the request.

 

The association's stance reaffirms the critical role of a free press in democracy and calls for constructive dialogue to safeguard journalistic independence. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the media in maintaining transparency and accountability within governmental affairs.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-12

 

 

Media freddom in Thailand 😱😱 Do me a favour 😤

[crazykopite]

Papa would have organised a backlash against the reporter