Thai Opposition Decries Radio Station Raids

[webfact]

Thai opposition decries radio station raids

BANGKOK, April 26, 2011 (AFP) - Thai police said they had raided Tuesday more than a dozen community radio stations, which are believed to be sympathetic to the opposition "Red Shirt" movement.

Officials from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and the Thai police's Central Investigation Bureau searched about 14 local stations in the Bangkok area, police colonel Supisarn Pakdinaruenart said.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Sukprasert said the raids were in response to a request from telecommunication officials, who said they were unlicensed.

But local media reports said the stations had links to the anti-government Red Shirts, whose mass rallies in Bangkok descended into bloodshed in April and May of last year, and a leader of the movement criticised the raids.

"It gives a strange signal when authorities raid local radio stations while we have border problems," said Jatuporn Prompan, who is also an opposition lawmaker, referring to several days of deadly fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops.

"It's a sign of hiding information from people so as to stage a coup," he told AFP.

Thailand's army has denied the Red Shirts' claims that it is planning to seize power, but the remarks have done little to dampen such rumours in a country that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932.

More than 90 people, mostly civilians, died in a series of street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops in central Bangkok last year.

The authorities used emergency powers during the unrest to arrest hundreds of suspects and silence anti-government media.

The kingdom, which is preparing for elections expected by early July, remains deeply divided following the political violence, the country's worst in decades.

Army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha recently filed a complaint against Jatuporn and two other Red Shirt leaders for allegedly insulting the royals during a speech at a recent rally -- a serious charge in Thailand.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-27

[webfact]

Police raid red shirts' community radios

By The Nation

Authorities yesterday raided many community radio stations in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces for operating illegally.

Most of the targeted community radios are linked to the red shirts.

Police and officials from the Department of Special Investigation, the Internal Security Operations Command, and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) took part in the operation. The police acted after complaints filed by NBTC officials.

At least four community radio stations run by the red shirts were closed down as part of yesterday's operation, according to a red shirt source.

These include the FM 105.40 community radio in Pathum Thani's Lam Lukka district that was closed down yesterday for operating without a permit. The station's broadcasting equipment was confiscated.

However, at the FM 89.85 Kon Thai Huajai Diew Kan station in Bangkok's Sai Mai district, the police were confronted by some 300 red shirts who managed to prevent the police from entering the premises.

The station's director, Somsak Lorphetrungruang, said that he did not resist a search by the police but that he would not allow the broadcasting equipment to be confiscated.

After about 90 minutes of confrontation, the police decided to leave the compound empty-handed, to the joy of the gathering red shirts.

-- The Nation 2011-04-27

[siampolee]

I certainly do not recall the Bangkok nor national Red Shirt brigade protesting vigorously when their Chang Mia associates murdered an elderly man by beating him to death in Chang Mai because the man had a connection to a radio station that showed the Red Shirt brigade in their true light.

Edited April 26, 2011 by siampolee

[whybother]

"It gives a strange signal when authorities raid local radio stations while we have border problems," said Jatuporn Prompan

I agree. They should stop all policing because the army are fighting on the border.

Officials ... searched about 14 local stations in the Bangkok area

At least four community radio stations run by the red shirts were closed down. ... Most of the targeted community radios are linked to the red shirts.

Most of the 14 are linked to the red shirts. Only 4 were shut down. Which means some linked to the red shirts actually know how to get a permit and operate legally.

[elshaheen]

Thai Red shirts should learn how to use Social Media. Much more difficult to close / shut down, without pulling the plug on the Internet connection. Thus affecting all them game players, Korean TV soap opera watchers in Thailand.

[ib1b4]

Thai Red shirts should learn how to use Social Media. Much more difficult to close / shut down, without pulling the plug on the Internet connection. Thus affecting all them game players, Korean TV soap opera watchers in Thailand.

I really do not think so, that would come under Thailands computer crimes act, five years gaol (jail)

[whybother]

I really do not think so, that would come under Thailands computer crimes act, five years gaol (jail)

The Computer crimes act only deals with putting illegal comments/things on the internet. Are you suggesting what the red shirts are saying on these radio stations is illegal?

[Buchholz]

"It gives a strange signal when authorities raid local radio stations while we have border problems," said Jatuporn Prompan

I agree. They should stop all policing because the army are fighting on the border.

Red Shirt Leader and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn at his intellectual best by apparently being unaware of the difference between police and army.

[Buchholz]

At least four community radio stations run by the red shirts were closed down as part of yesterday's operation, according to a red shirt source.

These include the FM 105.40 community radio in Pathum Thani's Lam Lukka district that was closed down yesterday for operating without a permit. The station's broadcasting equipment was confiscated.

If they are unlicensed and illegal, then they are illegal. The Red Shirts have become so used to getting away with illegalities, it seems that when confronted with something they do as illegal, their response is, "so what?"

However, at the FM 89.85 Kon Thai Huajai Diew Kan station in Bangkok's Sai Mai district, the police were confronted by some 300 red shirts who managed to prevent the police from entering the premises.

The station's director, Somsak Lorphetrungruang, said that he did not resist a search by the police but that he would not allow the broadcasting equipment to be confiscated.

OR their response is followed by further illegal activity to impede the processing of their initial illegal activity.

.

Edited April 27, 2011 by Buchholz

[animatic]

Because they are politically aligned,

that means they can operate illegally?

Why? Illegal is illegal.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Sukprasert said the raids were in response to a request from telecommunication officials, who said they were unlicensed.

4 of 14 get shut down for operating illegally, not an unreasonable number. One of the hallmarks of the wildcat illegal stations is broadcasting propaganda, not simply opposition thoughts, no worries about laws, since the basis of their transmissions is outside the law, they wouldn't care about other rules or conventions; like balanced truth, vs propaganda...

However, at the FM 89.85 Kon Thai Huajai Diew Kan station in Bangkok's Sai Mai district, the police were confronted by some 300 red shirts who managed to prevent the police from entering the premises.

The station's director, Somsak Lorphetrungruang, said that he did not resist a search by the police but that he would not allow the broadcasting equipment to be confiscated.

So a mob intimidated the police into not confiscating the transmitters. True democracy, eh? Proper rule of law functioning, eh? Red shirts mob says it's our choice, the law doesn't matter... Ok, eh?

Mob rule? Yes certainly.

And their leaders are getting on the PTP party list as potential legislators with immunity. Just meshuganah(crazy)!

Edited April 27, 2011 by animatic

[dunkin2012]

rousing the RED............ This gov. has a finger in every pie........

Red is thriving and strong........hum............they are everywhere in Thailand...

seriously, this country will be torn apart soon........................

More than 90 people, mostly civilians

totally they killed their own people more than in fighting with the Cambodian

[ianbaggie]

"It gives a strange signal when authorities raid local radio stations while we have border problems," said Jatuporn Prompan, who is also an opposition lawmaker, referring to several days of deadly fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops.

"It's a sign of hiding information from people so as to stage a coup," he told AFP.

Yep well done Jatuporn - only in your world is it persecution to be punished for breaking the law - what have border problems to do with the fact that red thugs are operating illegal radio stations? So wheres the coup Jatuporn - I dont see one!! "Siampolee" i remember the old man who was beaten to death in Chiang Mai for broadcasting anti red sentiment - all part of democracy and "the truth today" I bet Jayboy and Oberkommando have to struggle long and hard to come back with anything on this one!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and by the way - NOW i see the cause of the total disregard for the law in Thailand - its because JATUPORN is the lawmaker!! But then we know the murderer in exile is the real lawmaker dont we??

Edited April 27, 2011 by ianbaggie

[Ricardo]

Surely the Red-Shirts would have nothing to do, with illegal radio-stations operating without a license, I mean they must know how to do things properly, if they want to run a country ? Or perhaps they think they're above-the-law, now whose example would they be following, with that ?

There is a history of the authorities, under several governments, trying to control & shut-down pirate-radio here, maybe that's what they really need those second-hand German submarines for ?

[ianbaggie]

Because they are politically aligned,

that means they can operate illegally?

Why? Illegal is illegal.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Sukprasert said the raids were in response to a request from telecommunication officials, who said they were unlicensed.

4 of 14 get shut down for operating illegally, not an unreasonable number. One of the hallmarks of the wildcat illegal stations is broadcasting propaganda, not simply opposition thoughts, no worries about laws, since the basis of their transmissions is outside the law, they wouldn't care about other rules or conventions; like balanced truth, vs propaganda...

However, at the FM 89.85 Kon Thai Huajai Diew Kan station in Bangkok's Sai Mai district, the police were confronted by some 300 red shirts who managed to prevent the police from entering the premises.

The station's director, Somsak Lorphetrungruang, said that he did not resist a search by the police but that he would not allow the broadcasting equipment to be confiscated.

So a mob intimidated the police into not confiscating the transmitters. True democracy, eh? Proper rule of law functioning, eh? Red shirts mob says it's our choice, the law doesn't matter... Ok, eh?

Mob rule? Yes certainly.

And their leaders are getting on the PTP party list as potential legislators with immunity. Just meshuganah(crazy)!

What the police should have done was burn these radio stations down whilst having cover from snipers in black shirts - they could have shot one of their own men and blamed it on the red shirts - just like the red shirts did in reverse in Central World.

[bitterbatter]

I didn't realize that the FCC was so slack here. Maybe I should start a pirate radio station again... lol

[webfact]

Police Shut Down Illegal Red-shirt Community Radio Stations

Yesterday, police shut down many community radio stations run by red-shirt members, which have been operating without permission and have been airing controversial speeches.

Yesterday, the Internal Security Operations Command or ISOC, together with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission or NBTC, the Thai Metro Police, the Crime Suppression Division Thai police or CSD, and the local police shut down 13 red-shirt community radios which have been operating illegally in and around Bangkok.

Seven of the illegal radio stations are located in the Bangkok area, while six are located in the surrounding provinces.

The police seized all radio broadcasting equipment and arrested the person in charge of the illegal radio stations for legal proceedings.

National Police Spokesman Major General Prawut Thavornsiri said ISOC has ordered the National Police to take legal action against all radio stations that broadcast a speech delivered by Pheu Thai Party MP and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, which was found to have lese majeste comments.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-27

[bangkokeddy]

the ISOC ...

[hammered]

Lots of weird tweets from PTP today about coups, more radio closures and martial law. The tweets go out and later disappear. Who knows what that is all about but some speculation that the stuff being meant only for members is going public

[tragickingdom]

The raids have everything to do with the current dictatorship that is in place in Thailand. Just like in Burma a handful of henchmen is governing for the military. Silence the opposition let everybody read the Nation close down Prachtai or radio stations, let the people believe Cambodia started a fight over temples that are already legally theirs and make the lie as big as possible, Joseph Goebbels knew it, Abhisit knows it.

[xminator]

I wonder how far they will go to ensure the right people win the election.

[MunterHunter]

I wonder how far they will go to ensure the rule of law is upheld?

[tigermonkey]

No objections to putting an end to illegal activities -- 4 out of 14 closed down for this activity, and might have been 5 if the police activities were not thwarted at FM 89.85.

I only have a few questions in the interest of justice.

What was the reason for the raid on all 14 and not merely the ones operating illegally.? Surely, the police knew in advance who had a license.

Had the stations that were operating illegally previously been denied a license for some reason ( political ) ?

How many non-Red stations were raided ?

---end of questions !

Edited April 27, 2011 by tigermonkey

[tigermonkey]

Because they are politically aligned,

that means they can operate illegally?

Why? Illegal is illegal.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Sukprasert said the raids were in response to a request from telecommunication officials, who said they were unlicensed.

4 of 14 get shut down for operating illegally, not an unreasonable number. One of the hallmarks of the wildcat illegal stations is broadcasting propaganda, not simply opposition thoughts, no worries about laws, since the basis of their transmissions is outside the law, they wouldn't care about other rules or conventions; like balanced truth, vs propaganda...

However, at the FM 89.85 Kon Thai Huajai Diew Kan station in Bangkok's Sai Mai district, the police were confronted by some 300 red shirts who managed to prevent the police from entering the premises.

The station's director, Somsak Lorphetrungruang, said that he did not resist a search by the police but that he would not allow the broadcasting equipment to be confiscated.

So a mob intimidated the police into not confiscating the transmitters. True democracy, eh? Proper rule of law functioning, eh? Red shirts mob says it's our choice, the law doesn't matter... Ok, eh?

Mob rule? Yes certainly.

And their leaders are getting on the PTP party list as potential legislators with immunity. Just meshuganah(crazy)!

I think the Yiddish word that you are looking for is messhuggah -- adjective meaning crazy. Meshugana is a noun meaning a crazy person.

[aaacorp]

Guess who deliver the licences for radio.......and you will find who wants the red to shut up

[Buchholz]

Joseph Goebbels knew it, Abhisit knows it.

Where's Oberkommando?

We've been Godwinned!

[Buchholz]

Guess who deliver the licences for radio.......and you will find who wants the red to shut up

Guess who deliver the licenses for radio.......and you will find out who knows the stations are operating illegally.

[yoshiwara]

Lots of weird tweets from PTP today about coups, more radio closures and martial law. The tweets go out and later disappear. Who knows what that is all about but some speculation that the stuff being meant only for members is going public

The raids have everything to do with the current dictatorship that is in place in Thailand. Just like in Burma a handful of henchmen is governing for the military. Silence the opposition let everybody read the Nation close down Prachtai or radio stations, let the people believe Cambodia started a fight over temples that are already legally theirs and make the lie as big as possible, Joseph Goebbels knew it, Abhisit knows it.

Some ('hello and welcome') brand new red supporters whipping themselves up into a frenzy, thinking nobody is spotting their game. Which is? ( leaving aside coming straight from the forum production line to order): Laying down the infrastructure for recommencing street violence. They failed to bring down the government ahead of the election so now they are losing interest in the election going the distance and the exercise of ballots if Thaksin hasn't got it as a slam dunk. Usual dog-whistle words: 'Goebbels', 'Burma', 'henchmen', 'dictatorship'. Posing on the left but sitting on Thaksin's shoulder directing the traffic.

[tigermonkey]

Guess who deliver the licences for radio.......and you will find who wants the red to shut up

Guess who deliver the licenses for radio.......and you will find out who knows the stations are operating illegally.

Dear Herr Buchholz (ERA 5.33 ) -- we all know who delivers the licenses for radio. So why raid 14 if only 4 or 5 are illegal ??? Read my earlier post -- even you ,must admit that this is harrassment.

[animatic]

I wonder how far they will go to ensure the rule of law is upheld?

Simple answer, Not far enough.

But anything is better than nothing.

[tigermonkey]

Lots of weird tweets from PTP today about coups, more radio closures and martial law. The tweets go out and later disappear. Who knows what that is all about but some speculation that the stuff being meant only for members is going public

The raids have everything to do with the current dictatorship that is in place in Thailand. Just like in Burma a handful of henchmen is governing for the military. Silence the opposition let everybody read the Nation close down Prachtai or radio stations, let the people believe Cambodia started a fight over temples that are already legally theirs and make the lie as big as possible, Joseph Goebbels knew it, Abhisit knows it.

Some ('hello and welcome') brand new red supporters whipping themselves up into a frenzy, thinking nobody is spotting their game. Which is? ( leaving aside coming straight from the forum production line to order): Laying down the infrastructure for recommencing street violence. They failed to bring down the government ahead of the election so now they are losing interest in the election going the distance and the exercise of ballots if Thaksin hasn't got it as a slam dunk. Usual dog-whistle words: 'Goebbels', 'Burma', 'henchmen', 'dictatorship'. Posing on the left but sitting on Thaksin's shoulder directing the traffic.

It is far better to ask intelligent and probing questions than to merely spout biased venom.

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before we have all the evidence .. it biases the judgement" -- SherlocjK Holmes