Govt To Launch Media War Countering Red Shirts

[Journalist]

The 'war' likely a lot of meaningless PR waffle from Government spindoctors (and they all have them, the UK Govt employs half the PRs in Britain) saying why what appears to be a problem actually isn't a problem, everything is great, and actually doing zilch

This sounds like an initiative to befriend foreign media though. Perhaps free trips as a boondoggle might help change perceptions. It does with me.

Edited April 21, 2009 by Journalist

[johncitizen]

2 posts have been edited by me because not the proper name of the politician is given. Further postings like that will be deleted in whole.

Can I ask who is the politician in question here? And why is it that the mods are coming down on this so hard?

[samgrowth]

I dont understand why governments announce a media war. Obviously the government are going to put their side and their spin, but surely you dont have to state so. That just sounds like we are going to use propoganda, which of course all governments do, and isnt very sophisticated. Why not just do it without announcement?

Blatant arrogance??

The minister in charge of press release needs a cut from the PR fees. So they have to wage a media war, and sign lots of PR contracts. Remember the "Thailand Elite' case, wher someone benefitted for putting all the ads in foreign media, eventhough the card was already closed down.

[Plus]

Why is it that only the reds or yellows have rights to run propaganda war but not the government?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

2 posts have been edited by me because not the proper name of the politician is given. Further postings like that will be deleted in whole.

Can I ask who is the politician in question here? And why is it that the mods are coming down on this so hard?

Yes, you can, but in a private message to a moderator.

Thankfully it seems to now be enforced for ALL politicians.

[sriracha john]

As it involves the rather arbitrary and imprecise nature of transliteration, eg. the former PM name is generally considered to be Thaksin and not the often-repeated-but-yet-generally-accepted-as-erroneous Taksin, perhaps a published list of the preferred English transliterations for some of the more frequently mentioned Thais is warranted for the general membership to follow.

Edited April 23, 2009 by sriracha john

[grandpops]

2 posts have been edited by me because not the proper name of the politician is given. Further postings like that will be deleted in whole.

Can I ask who is the politician in question here? And why is it that the mods are coming down on this so hard?

Yes, you can, but in a private message to a moderator.

Thankfully it seems to now be enforced for ALL politicians.

A good move. May raise the level of debate a bit if we refer to them by their names and not the childish mock ups we (I include myself here) have descended into.

Looked like smiles all round in parliament yesterday. Maybe we are on the path to recovery!

[hammered]

2 posts have been edited by me because not the proper name of the politician is given. Further postings like that will be deleted in whole.

Can I ask who is the politician in question here? And why is it that the mods are coming down on this so hard?

Yes, you can, but in a private message to a moderator.

Thankfully it seems to now be enforced for ALL politicians.

A good move. May raise the level of debate a bit if we refer to them by their names and not the childish mock ups we (I include myself here) have descended into.

Looked like smiles all round in parliament yesterday. Maybe we are on the path to recovery!

While we may be on the ascent in terms of debate (did I really write that?), I suspect everything else in thailand is still on a rapid descent towards a nasty place.

[selftaopath]

I dont understand why governments announce a media war. Obviously the government are going to put their side and their spin, but surely you dont have to state so. That just sounds like we are going to use propoganda, which of course all governments do, and isnt very sophisticated. Why not just do it without announcement?

Good question. Perhaps "common sense " is not so common.

[bulmercke]

Early yesterday - 23 April - The Nation (on-line edition) carried a picture (LHS of page) of monks holding a ritual for slain protesters - red-shirts.

The picture has now completely disappeared and there is also no longer any sign of it in The Nation's photo archive or anywhere else for that matter. Looks like The Nation took it down.

Maybe mistaken - but did anyone else catch that picture?

[webfact]

Early yesterday - 23 April - The Nation (on-line edition) carried a picture (LHS of page) of monks holding a ritual for slain protesters - red-shirts.

The picture has now completely disappeared and there is also no longer any sign of it in The Nation's photo archive or anywhere else for that matter. Looks like The Nation took it down.

Maybe mistaken - but did anyone else catch that picture?

Do you mean the THE NATION photo gallery has disappeared?

Its still there.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/nationphoto/

look at the bottom

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/n...eid=1&id=45

Edited April 24, 2009 by webfact

[HagenvonTronje]

What about Somkiat?

Somkiat Pongpaiboon - PAD leader and Democrat MP

nah, there isn't so much to discuss. abhisit and the democrats don't have been in power at the time of the airport siege or the occupation of the GH. we didn't saw masses of army in the town, nobody  start in the middle of the night with the crackdown on protesters and the use of use live ammunition, also no arrest of the leaders. but as predicted, if team red will try something similar, they will face under the democrats a much more harder anwser than team yellow have ever seen. hat is the difference.

examples for the PAD Dem's connections, there are many.lets have a look at Chaiwat Sinsuwong,  top core PAD leader, ex-democrat party member, but okay not a member of this parliament of the 2007 election but Chaiwat was a candidate for the Dems, in Buriram, unlucky boy, nobady voted there for him so he didn't got elected. after the election he filed a couple of complaints against the PPP at the supreme court, but the Dems and Abhisit didn't want to look like sore loser, so for tactical reasons he left the party (in good mood of both sides without anger)so that he can be concentrated on his  PAD job.

and because last week so many wrote that the PAD never closed down the airport and offer a strange theory that it was the AOT and not PAD, a lame theory i found only on 100% yellow websites. have a look back at the news of the past- from the 26.11.2008

Protesters seeking to oust Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat stormed the airport complex yesterday, forcing the cancellation of flights and leaving hundreds of travellers, including Australians, holed up inside. 

“The PAD has completely taken control of Suvarnabhumi Airport so any airline that wants to take off or land must seek permission from us directly,” said Chaiwat Sinswuwong, one of the leaders of the protest group the People's Alliance for Democracy. 

“We have allowed one flight for the Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage) to take off, but not others.” (source: 

www.theaustralian.news.com.au

)

Chaiwat Sinsuwong lead also the protests and the siege of the GH. he also got once arrested in a moment when he was outside the GH and had a meeting with the Democrat deputy leader. but he got quick released, freed on bail and charges also dropped. so he could continue with the occupation of the GH and later also the airport. and continue together with Chamlong on the plans to overtrow the government and make sure that Chaiwat Sinsuwong, never ever have to be afraid of losing an election again.

"Chamlong said the PAD has not yet set the detail on how the

People Revolution Government or "Prachapiwat Government"

could be formed but he said the PAD was ready to forgo its "new politics theory" of

having appointed MPs 70 per cent and elected MPs 30 per cent

."

(source:

The Nation

)

next to his title as PAD Core leader and former Democrat member and failed democrat candidate, Chaiwat is also chairman of the Northeastern People’s Assembly, whatever that for a kind of organisation is, but sounds cool, right?

let's go a little more back in time, pre election days, the junta still in power, material law over all provinces and this AFP article form 17.12.2007 is a small report how difficult it was for a PPP candidate to run his campaign. soldiers and restriction everywhere. on a sidenote the election campaign of a democrat candidate is also mentioned, nobody else as Chaiwat Sinsuwong, chairman of the Northeastern People’s Assembly:

"The scene was in stark contrast to that at a recent event in the campaign by Thailand's oldest political outfit, the Democrat Party, which aims to make inroads into Thaksin's electoral bases such as Buriram.

When Democrat candidate Chaiwat Sinsuwong spoke on the top of his campaign pick-up truck here, not a single voter showed up to see him.

The 58-year-old man was visibly angry when asked about campaigning in the pro-Thaksin province, only saying: "This is no longer Thaksin's stronghold.""

(source:

AFP

)

in nineties Chaiwat Sinsuwang was leader of the Phalang Dharma Party, even co-founder together with Chamlong Srimuang, that makes the both of them to the political mum and dad of Thaksin. in the pre 97 crash government he was also a Minister.

as party head he had a couple of visits to north korea

Pyongyang, November 6(1998) (

KCNA

) -- Kye Ung Thae, member of the political bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, today met and conversed with the delegation of the Thai Palang Dharma (Righteous Force) Party led by its leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. Department director Kim Yang Gon of the C.C., the WPK was present there. On the occasion,

Chaiwat Sinsuwong said that his party has come to realize the justness of the Juche idea

through its visit to Korea where it has been fully embodied in all Social realms. He wished greater successes to the Korean people,s firmly united around General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

Pyongyang, March 14 (2000)(

KCNA

) -

The great Kim Jong Il is a greatest statesman ever known in history.

Leader of the Palang Dharma (Righteous Force) Party of Thailand Chaiwat Sinsuwong said this, giving an impression of the DPRK, in an interview before his departure after visiting the DPRK as the head of the party delegation on the occasion of the February holiday.

Kim Jong Il has wisely led the worker's party, the state and the army of Korea for scores of years to triumphantly advance the cause of socialism and has applied the unique army-first revolutionary line in the realities of the DPRK, he said.

He said that witnessing the realities of the DPRK he could know well the might of the idea of giving great importance to arms and he could keenly feel that the army-first politics is, indeed, a great politics which makes it possible to bring prosperity to the country and successfully accomplish the cause of socialism.

He was deeply moved by the realities of Korean-style socialism which was advancing on the strength of the might of ideology, he said.

The DPRK, he noted, is an ideologically strong country in which men strong in ideology and faith, who are absolutely trusting and following the Juche idea, the revolutionary idea of the President Kim Il Sung, are rallied close around Kim Jong Il. The imperialists can never undermine Korean-style socialism in which only the leader's idea is prevalent in the whole of society through the application of the Juche idea and all the people are united single-heartedly on the basis of the leader's idea, he said, adding: Korean-style socialism in which the dignity of man is measured by his thinking ideology and the unity and cohesion of all the people based on ideology is achieved will be always invincible.

so if it's in the future unclear again who is responsible for the airport closure, keep in mind that the PAD had taken over from the first moment, i remember that pretty well. because of the stranded muslims and that the PAD did only allowed one single flight out for them, not more. and this single flight did the PAD propaganda sell as a big gift to the muslim community.

[bulmercke]

Early yesterday - 23 April - The Nation (on-line edition) carried a picture (LHS of page) of monks holding a ritual for slain protesters - red-shirts.

The picture has now completely disappeared and there is also no longer any sign of it in The Nation's photo archive or anywhere else for that matter. Looks like The Nation took it down.

Maybe mistaken - but did anyone else catch that picture?

Do you mean the THE NATION photo gallery has disappeared?

Its still there.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/nationphoto/

look at the bottom

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/n...eid=1&id=45

No - the photo gallery hasn't disappeared - it's just that this particular photo is no longer there -

It was - early yesterday - one of five being displayed at the top of the page in the rolling photo bar.

[HagenvonTronje]

Cartoons losing their funny side?

By [email protected] Published on April 29, 2009

Rayong Democrat MP Satit Pitutacha attacked Thai Rath cartoonist "Sia" Sakda Iew, saying he was bent on destroying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Democrat Party.

In a press conference on Sunday, Satit said Sia's cartoons were clearly biased against the PM and the Democrat Party.

"Sia did not exercise media ethics and professionalism in his work. He did not offer a professional, honest criticism or offer his opinions in a creative manner so it would lead to a straightforward consumption of news. He did not use his intellect either at a time when the country is facing problems," he said. "I ask for Sia to be fair, unbiased, professional, ethical and work within media standards."

He said he would put forward a compilation of pieces done by Sia when he filed complaint with the National Press Council of Thailand.

However, his remarks did not stop Sia from expressing his opinion. Yesterday's cartoon showed Abhisit sitting in his chair with the messages "it is time a standard label was attached to the chair" and "muzzling the media means muzzling the people" in the background. And as usual, there is a cobra wound around Abhisit's neck.

Actually, some Thai Rath fans say the newspaper's cartoons are neutral and balanced by the work of another cartoonist Somchai Katanyutanan or "Chai Ratchawat".

Chai was criticised by some as supporting the Democrat Party, something he denied. He challenged his fans to find a cartoon done by him that cheered the Democrats, adding that he could easily find one that openly criticised them.

Meanwhile, cartoonist Arun Watcharasawat said MPs should not try to read too much into caricatures or they will always find them biased.

"Cartoons are all about interpretation. If an MP thinks the cartoonist is biased against him or his party, he will always see him as criticising them even if they are being praised," Arun said.

Tulsathit Taptim, former chairman of the Thai Journalists Association's press freedom committee, reminded the current government leaders of the time when they condemned the suppression of the media during Thaksin Shinawatra's era.

"When I heard about the cartoon issue, I just couldn't believe it," he said.

According to Arun, readers need to use a certain level of intellect and thought to interpret a cartoon, like when a viewer considers a koan - a Buddhist riddle that never has a clear answer.

"It is important to both cartoonists and readers not to take a cartoon too seriously," Arun advised. "Otherwise, it is not cartoon."

-- The Nation 29.04.2009

[dee123]

As it involves the rather arbitrary and imprecise nature of transliteration, eg. the former PM name is generally considered to be Thaksin and not the often-repeated-but-yet-generally-accepted-as-erroneous Taksin, perhaps a published list of the preferred English transliterations for some of the more frequently mentioned Thais is warranted for the general membership to follow.

For once I can agree with you SJ........(OOPS I mean sriracha john).....coming down heavy on spelling errors might be the next step to be introduced by Abhisit and his pals at ISOC if their recent form is anything to go by!! what a fantastic idea!!!.......how to wipe out with one stroke of the brush all the opinions of poor issan folk who for decades could only educate themselves with what they had learnt from biased state run TV and media

Edited April 30, 2009 by dee123

[HagenvonTronje]

Govt Launches Publicity Blitz on Political Unrest

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The government plans to release 1 million VCDs and start a new political website to provide more information to the public about the recent political unrest.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wong-nongtey expressed concern that information being presented by the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, the political rival of the anti-government red shirts, would actually cause confusion about the government's actions and position.

He said the government is working to present the facts concerning the recent anti-government protests and military crackdown during the Songkran festival. He said it would use photos, video and print contents to describe the extent of the rioting by the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, or DAAD, and the methods used by the military to disperse the rioters.

The website, www.factreport.go.th, will debut on Sunday.

Sathit was asked by reporters why the DAAD's D-Station satellite TV station was closed down after the red-shirt protests, while the PAD's ASTV station was allowed to continue broadcasting after the yellow-shirt demonstrations last year. Sathit said the Administrative Court had issued an injunction order temporarily protecting ASTV and that its broadcasts had been allowed by the National Telecommunications Commission.

Sathit also asked all television stations to broadcast the Prime Minister's activities on May 5th, the Coronation Day.

-- Tan Network Thursday, April 30, 2009

From

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014254

[HagenvonTronje]

Army's Assistant Chief of Staff Visits Northeast to Clarify Riot Suppression

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Army's assistant chief of staff has visited northeastern provinces to create public understanding on the suppression of the recent red-shirt riot.

Army Assistant Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dapong Ratanasuwan has met with Loei and Nongbualumpoo provincial administrative officials at Loei Rajabhat University in Loei Province.

Dapong said the aim of his visit is to clarify the truth about the security mission of suppressing the red-shirt riots. More than 1,500 local officials, including village headmen and district chiefs, are attending the conference.

He stated that the Army wants to make people understand army procedure under a state of emergency so that authorities can provide people in the region with the truth.

Lieutenant General Dapong also presided over a meeting of about 3,000 state officials in Udon Thani Province to explain to them the truth behind each of the incidents that occurred during the anti-government protests in an effort to make them understand the Army’s intention to maintain the country’s security.

He also asked the officials to provide the public with correct information.

-- Tan Network April 30, 2009

From

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014235

[HagenvonTronje]

Govt Denies Launching Political Propaganda in Northeast

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Deputy Prime Minister has denied accusations that the Army is trying to win over villagers in the Northeast by sending out thousands of soldiers on a political propaganda mission.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees national security affairs, said he was not even aware of the rumor that 4,000 soldiers and other Army staff officials had been sent to the region to wage pro-government propaganda among villagers.

Suthep denied the rumor but said some Army personnel had been sent to the Northeast to promote understanding among local villagers, adding that recent political conflicts have damaged the Army's reputation because many people had been given false information.

Suthep insisted the Army was not attempting to persuade villagers to support the Democrat Party in the next general election.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtaey said it was only natural that the Army would want to refute the anti-government Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship's allegations concerning the Songkran crackdown.

Sathit expressed concern about what he said were the red-shirt group's untrue claim that the Army killed many of its supporters when dispersing their protests.

-- Tan Network April 30, 2009

From http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014256

[HagenvonTronje]

Govt Launches Publicity Blitz on Political Unrest

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The government plans to release 1 million VCDs and start a new political website to provide more information to the public about the recent political unrest.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wong-nongtey expressed concern that information being presented by the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, the political rival of the anti-government red shirts, would actually cause confusion about the government's actions and position.

He said the government is working to present the facts concerning the recent anti-government protests and military crackdown during the Songkran festival. He said it would use photos, video and print contents to describe the extent of the rioting by the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, or DAAD, and the methods used by the military to disperse the rioters.

The website, www.factreport.go.th, will debut on Sunday.

Sathit also asked all television stations to broadcast the Prime Minister's activities on May 5th, the Coronation Day.

From

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014254

unlike the old print media outlets, TAN/TOC has also photos to offer. but i wish they would give those photos also a caption. explanation.

why is there a screenshot of ASTV-Channel - will that be part of the VCD or stand it for "information being presented by the PAD"? viz. ASTV would actually cause confusion? what the avid ASTV fans have here to say or are they confused anyway. confusion caused by ASTV?

and good, we are getting "official" photos and videos on a website, can't wait for that. grassy knoll discussions will come. i hope the have some videos from the action and not just photos of soldiers who helping grandma over the street. and a drawing how much of the greater bangkkok area wouldn't exist anymore if that gas truck had exploded. real pictures, please.

what's about the PM on all channels on Coronation Day? the Etonian on all channels - Hooray!!! but on coronation day? is thailand a republic now? Abhisit the new Thaksin?

Govt Launches Publicity Blitz on Political Unrest, doesn't that instigate even more unrest?

[Thai at Heart]

Judging by the rather dozy look on most of their faces, either they have been put to sleep by the info, or maybe a hypnotic trance?

[HagenvonTronje]

Army Asks All Sides to Stop Harming Country

Monday, May 04, 2009

Joining the “Stop Harming Thailand” unity campaign today, the Army urges all sides to stop harming the country’s security and put an end to the use of violence to address problems.

General Staff Chief Officer Lieutenant General San Jariyawattana led about 2,000 soldiers from the Army along with state officials to carry the national flag to show their unity and declared a stand urging all sides to stop the use of violence and discrimination which has so severely damaged the country’s image.

The declaration called on all sides to stop harming the country’s security by committing acts of lese majeste and asked financiers and powerful people to stop provoking the public into acts of disorder.

The declaration also offered a confirmation from soldiers, saying that they would not get involved in politics and that political rallies can be held if conducted lawfully.

-- May 04, 2009

From http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014328

[HagenvonTronje]

"Stop Harming Thailand" Campaign Held across Country

UPDATE : 4 May 2009

People across the country attended a series of unity-promoting rallies today under the theme "Stop Harming Thailand".

People in Satun, Uthai Thani, Pitsanulok, Ayutthaya and other provinces attended the Stop Harming Thailand rallies held by the public sector to demonstrate their desire to bring peace and nonviolence to Thailand.

Those attending pledged to conduct a mass media campaign including local radio stations, newspapers and television stations.

The Interior Ministry, the King Pradjadhipok's Institute and Thai Journalists Association organized the campaign to convince Thai people to stop harming Thailand. They also asked people to use the national flag as a symbol of peace and unity.

From

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014316

[LawnGnome]

"Stop Harming Thailand" Campaign Held across Country

UPDATE : 4 May 2009

People across the country attended a series of unity-promoting rallies today under the theme "Stop Harming Thailand".

People in Satun, Uthai Thani, Pitsanulok, Ayutthaya and other provinces attended the Stop Harming Thailand rallies held by the public sector to demonstrate their desire to bring peace and nonviolence to Thailand.

Those attending pledged to conduct a mass media campaign including local radio stations, newspapers and television stations.

The Interior Ministry, the King Pradjadhipok's Institute and Thai Journalists Association organized the campaign to convince Thai people to stop harming Thailand. They also asked people to use the national flag as a symbol of peace and unity.

From

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014316

Amen!

[Thai at Heart]

Army Asks All Sides to Stop Harming Country

Monday, May 04, 2009

Joining the “Stop Harming Thailand” unity campaign today, the Army urges all sides to stop harming the country’s security and put an end to the use of violence to address problems.

General Staff Chief Officer Lieutenant General San Jariyawattana led about 2,000 soldiers from the Army along with state officials to carry the national flag to show their unity and declared a stand urging all sides to stop the use of violence and discrimination which has so severely damaged the country’s image.

The declaration called on all sides to stop harming the country’s security by committing acts of lese majeste and asked financiers and powerful people to stop provoking the public into acts of disorder.

The declaration also offered a confirmation from soldiers, saying that they would not get involved in politics and that political rallies can be held if conducted lawfully.

-- May 04, 2009

From http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/TOC/ViewData...?DataID=1014328

All a little bit too much like China or North Korea or as one supposedly great man said, " You are either with us or against us"

[HagenvonTronje]

TJA to publish 'fact' books on Songkran riot.

Published on May 6, 2009

Thai Journalist Association (TJA) will publish "fact" books of the red-shirted demonstration and crackdown during Songkran festival, said Veerasak Pongaksorn, TJA rights committee.

Veerasak said the book would be presented through the media's views, adding that the content would focus on the red-shirted demonstration on six spots: Pattaya, Din Daeng intersection, Interior Ministry head office, Nang Lerng community, Petchaburti Soi five and Soi seven.

The purpose of the publication is to record history for the sake of education.

The Nation

-- The Nation Published on May 6, 2009

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/option/pri...newsid=30102113

[HagenvonTronje]

ICT opens a hotline to receive information on inappropriate websites

BANGKOK, 6 May 2009 (NNT) - The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) opens hot line 1212 for people who want to give hints on inappropriate website.

ICT Minister Second Lieutenant Ranongrak Suwannachawee revealed that currently the ministry had opened a hot line 1212 and E-mail [email protected] to support the internet security operation center (ISOC) in order to monitor and suppress illegal activities on the internet more quickly and efficiently.

People could inform immediately when they encountered an inappropriate website. The staffs would receive petition around the clock, and all reports would be sent to ISOC in order to deal with those websites.

The Minister added that ISOC had closed 2,400 inappropriate websites such as porn website, gambling website. She also asked people to help monitoring the unsuitable content, which were presented on the websites, if they found such websites, they could inform authorities through the hotline or via email.

-- NNT 6 May 2009

go here to the article

[HagenvonTronje]

Officials clarify the crowd dispersal situation in Phrae

PHRAE, 7 May 2009 (NNT) - Authorities from Internal Security Operations Command today convened to clarify the situation of crowd dispersal during Songkran festival to local administration organization heads in Phrae.

Lieutenant General Dapong Ratanasuwan, the director of Bureau of Policy and Planning, Internal Security Operations Command, was welcomed by Acting Phrae Governor Serikam Peerathammo in his meeting with 300 district and village chiefs and local administration organization heads in Phrae province today. In the meeting, the footage of the crowd dispersal during Songkran period was displayed along with the explanation of the security officers’ operation towards the situation.

Lt. Gen. Dapong said to the audience that in the crowd termination,military and police officers , with the mission to protect the people’ s lives and properties, did not resort to weapons in their operations. In this meeting, a hearing of people’s opinions about the situation of crowd dispersal was set.

In the past, Phrae's political gatherings have taken place peacefully, and no disorder has been reported so far.

-- NNT 7 May 2009

article here

[TAWP]

TJA to publish 'fact' books on Songkran riot.

Published on May 6, 2009

Thai Journalist Association (TJA) will publish "fact" books of the red-shirted demonstration and crackdown during Songkran festival, said Veerasak Pongaksorn, TJA rights committee.

Veerasak said the book would be presented through the media's views, adding that the content would focus on the red-shirted demonstration on six spots: Pattaya, Din Daeng intersection, Interior Ministry head office, Nang Lerng community, Petchaburti Soi five and Soi seven.

The purpose of the publication is to record history for the sake of education.

The Nation

-- The Nation Published on May 6, 2009

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/option/pri...newsid=30102113

This will be interesting.

Does anyone wanna declare the TJA's allegiance before they know the outcome of this fact's book or will they wait until they see what is written?

[hammered]

TJA to publish 'fact' books on Songkran riot.

Published on May 6, 2009

Thai Journalist Association (TJA) will publish "fact" books of the red-shirted demonstration and crackdown during Songkran festival, said Veerasak Pongaksorn, TJA rights committee.

Veerasak said the book would be presented through the media's views, adding that the content would focus on the red-shirted demonstration on six spots: Pattaya, Din Daeng intersection, Interior Ministry head office, Nang Lerng community, Petchaburti Soi five and Soi seven.

The purpose of the publication is to record history for the sake of education.

The Nation

-- The Nation Published on May 6, 2009

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/option/pri...newsid=30102113

This will be interesting.

Does anyone wanna declare the TJA's allegiance before they know the outcome of this fact's book or will they wait until they see what is written?

I will guess that team red wont accept any version of what happened except for the one they say, which is even very different from the versions of international journos let alone local ones.

The news cycle though is pretty much over on this event and it hasnt been kind to team red at all either in local or international media or at diplomatic level.

Edited to add: I exclude obviously those red leaders and ex-TRT who have accepted that they did indulge in violence.

Edited May 8, 2009 by hammered

[HagenvonTronje]

ICT opens a hotline to receive information on inappropriate websites

BANGKOK, 6 May 2009 (NNT) - The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) opens hot line 1212 for people who want to give hints on inappropriate website.

ICT Minister Second Lieutenant Ranongrak Suwannachawee revealed that currently the ministry had opened a hot line 1212 and E-mail [email protected] to support the internet security operation center (ISOC) in order to monitor and suppress illegal activities on the internet more quickly and efficiently.

People could inform immediately when they encountered an inappropriate website. The staffs would receive petition around the clock, and all reports would be sent to ISOC in order to deal with those websites.

The Minister added that ISOC had closed 2,400 inappropriate websites such as porn website, gambling website. She also asked people to help monitoring the unsuitable content, which were presented on the websites, if they found such websites, they could inform authorities through the hotline or via email.

there is no webadress, no webpage!!! i can only call them with telephone or send them a e-mail, okay.

i searched with google and ended finally up to look around at the MICT page, there i found the press release, it's about IOOC and the phone number 1212:

http://www.mict.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=206...;filename=index

everybody should call, or it's for all people here to help and it's not only the government job to look for to block. that how people and government can work together. as normal citizen you can demand the block of somebodyelse website too. and the Internet Security Operation Center promised to be fast. in 3 days everything done.

there are also numbers for currently blocked websites by the ISOC, in total 11138, thereof 8314 because breach of peace, safety of the state; 2752 websites with pornographic content and 72 gambling websites. so that are some official numbers now?

only one month ago, also from the ministry, came the information that the ISOC had blocked over 7000 websites and that 1403 of them are pornographic

http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/1073 but at this time they just had a normal land line bangkok number and not such a fancy 4 diggit fast food number.

on the MICT page i found a press release from 31.03. that had a few other points on topic, but also the over 7000 blocked sites and that the ministry want established a coupple of hundred learning centres all over the country that explains the people what is not appropriate and atreat to the society in the internet communication.

http://www.mict.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=192...;filename=index

it's all thai, but worth a look, had a couple of photos how such brainstroming sessions in the ministry looks like., if they have a meting at Long Beach Garden Hotel Chonburi. and discuss also budget issues for the sake of the Nation and all people.

i wonder about how many calls ISOC will they get at all at 1212 and how many calls will be just prank calls, pretend to be drunk, franco-canadien or SGT. HARTMANN want to order a pizza, cheese sticks and salad and don't give up so easy.