Thai Opposition Decries Radio Station Raids

[Pi Sek]

Looks like the Thaksin apologist production line is now go! go! go!

Lots of spare time during the Spring vacation once the marking is out of the way.

'Hello and Good Evening. This is your Thaksin/Jatuporn Gardening Today Programme. Today: How to store bottles of petrol in the back garden and lay more mulch.'

Are you trying to suggest that there are people on Thaivisa who spout pro-Thaksin propaganda like "this government is a junta", "the government killed 90 civilians last May" or "the army are in charge under this government" or similar politically-charged drivel? Suggesting so would mean this discussion forum is full of deceit and the general public should not be using it as a source of valid information.

Out of interest, can you think of any good reasons why anyone would constantly post such propaganda?

[chuang]

Ha ha ha, after the LM saga now closing down community radio stations...lower than kathoy..i think worse than vermin..

[webfact]

Station raid signals coup: red-shirt leaders

By The Nation

Red shirt leaders Wednesday expressed suspicion that Tuesday's raids on many community-radio stations linked to the red shirts could signal an imminent military coup.

Nattawut Saikua, a key red shirt leader, said the police closure of 13 community-radio stations was an attempt to "close the ears and eyes of the people", adding that he suspected there was a plot to stage a coup.

"There is no reason why the closure must be done now. Why did the police raid target the stations run by the red shirts? It is because they are afraid the radios will spread message against the imminent coup?" he said.

Nattawut also called on the owners of the affected radio stations to sue the authorities for malfeasance.

Fourteen community-radio stations in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces were raided on Tuesday. Thirteen of them were closed for operating illegally.

Those radio stations were also investigated for broadcasting messages deemed offensive to the monarchy and inciting violence, according to national police chief General Wichean Potephosree.

Jatuporn Prompan, another key red shirt leader and an MP of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, yesterday also linked the radio station raids to possible coup.

"Are they trying to provoke the red shirts to take to the streets so that they will stage a coup again?" he said, adding that he expected a coup to take place within Saturday. "If a coup really happens, all of us should gather at the Democracy Monument," he said.

Jatuporn, who was among the leaders of last year's anti-government rally by the red shirts, noted that the radio station raids coincided with the Cabinet decision on the same day to approve the Internal Security Operations Command's request for Bt8.79 billion. "Are they plotting to do something with this money?" he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-27

[Insight]

Ha ha ha, after the LM saga now closing down community radio stations...lower than kathoy..i think worse than vermin..

Nice to have an LCM51 member in the house.

[NoBrainer]

The Red Shirt crowd talks about a Coup so much that they probably actually want one, and will be disappointed when it doesn't happen.

Maybe worried about Loss of Face if they do not achieve power at the polls.

They have been demanding fresh elections for quite some time now, and when they finally get them, they are still not happy.

Looks like they will not be able to be pleased no matter what happens.

Actually they should be Happy that it appears many of the Yellow supporters will not be voting anyway.

I think if you sat the Reds down and tried to ascertain what it is that would really satisfy them, you could never reach a consensus.

Station raid signals coup: red-shirt leaders

By The Nation

Red shirt leaders Wednesday expressed suspicion that Tuesday's raids on many community-radio stations linked to the red shirts could signal an imminent military coup.

Nattawut Saikua, a key red shirt leader, said the police closure of 13 community-radio stations was an attempt to "close the ears and eyes of the people", adding that he suspected there was a plot to stage a coup.

"There is no reason why the closure must be done now. Why did the police raid target the stations run by the red shirts? It is because they are afraid the radios will spread message against the imminent coup?" he said.

Nattawut also called on the owners of the affected radio stations to sue the authorities for malfeasance.

Fourteen community-radio stations in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces were raided on Tuesday. Thirteen of them were closed for operating illegally.

Those radio stations were also investigated for broadcasting messages deemed offensive to the monarchy and inciting violence, according to national police chief General Wichean Potephosree.

Jatuporn Prompan, another key red shirt leader and an MP of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, yesterday also linked the radio station raids to possible coup.

"Are they trying to provoke the red shirts to take to the streets so that they will stage a coup again?" he said, adding that he expected a coup to take place within Saturday. "If a coup really happens, all of us should gather at the Democracy Monument," he said.

Jatuporn, who was among the leaders of last year's anti-government rally by the red shirts, noted that the radio station raids coincided with the Cabinet decision on the same day to approve the Internal Security Operations Command's request for Bt8.79 billion. "Are they plotting to do something with this money?" he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-27

[gkinbkk]

Whatever the political story is around these closures it seems that there is a crackdown on EVERYTHING in the lead up to the election. Do these stations operate outside the law? Of course. In normal times everything outside the law is tolerated. Not at the moment I would say.

If you are doing something outside the law, be it a job thats not on your work permit or operating a business that is not completely legal, I would go to ground for the next few months and be very careful about who knows your business. Uneasy times ahead!

(IMO of course)

[rreddin]

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.

What an assenine comment! Others may consider it as incitement to commit arson and murder. Do not forget that this forum is in the public domain. With posts like yours, it is little wonder that Thais in general, and a certain politician in particular, have a low opinion of farangs.

[yoshiwara]

Looks like the Thaksin apologist production line is now go! go! go!

Lots of spare time during the Spring vacation once the marking is out of the way.

'Hello and Good Evening. This is your Thaksin/Jatuporn Gardening Today Programme. Today: How to store bottles of petrol in the back garden and lay more mulch.'

Are you trying to suggest that there are people on Thaivisa who spout pro-Thaksin propaganda like "this government is a junta", "the government killed 90 civilians last May" or "the army are in charge under this government" or similar politically-charged drivel? Suggesting so would mean this discussion forum is full of deceit and the general public should not be using it as a source of valid information.

Out of interest, can you think of any good reasons why anyone would constantly post such propaganda?

Source of valid information? Sometimes. Source of entertainment? Certainly! Caveat Emptor!

For sure an army of colourful new names suddenly descended on this forum during last year's May events like a scene out of the movie 'I Robot'

Why? To shore up the defences. Is it happening again? Tick-tock..........

[Crushdepth]

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?

A lot of community radio stations operate without a license, and are illegal no matter what they are saying. A lot of these stations actually provide useful and educational services by the way (political activities aside).

Edited April 27, 2011 by Crushdepth

[ianbaggie]

Looks like the Thaksin apologist production line is now go! go! go!

Lots of spare time during the Spring vacation once the marking is out of the way.

'Hello and Good Evening. This is your Thaksin/Jatuporn Gardening Today Programme. Today: How to store bottles of petrol in the back garden and lay more mulch.'

Are you trying to suggest that there are people on Thaivisa who spout pro-Thaksin propaganda like "this government is a junta", "the government killed 90 civilians last May" or "the army are in charge under this government" or similar politically-charged drivel? Suggesting so would mean this discussion forum is full of deceit and the general public should not be using it as a source of valid information.

Out of interest, can you think of any good reasons why anyone would constantly post such propaganda?

Only reasons I can think of -

1) maybe misinformed

2) Too long in the sun last year at Rachprasong

3) 500 baht per day.

4) Maybe wife from Isan is controlling them

5) They actually believe what Thaksin says!!

No - surely I shouldnt entertain point 5

[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.

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.

There seems to be a disparity in the reporting. I would take the OP to mean they were all unlicensed and thus illegal.

the raids were in response to a request from telecommunication officials, who said they were unlicensed.

p.s. the ERA will come down..guaranteed. Early season inflated stats after a couple of off outings.

Edited April 27, 2011 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Nattawut also called on the owners of the affected radio stations to sue the authorities for malfeasance.

Sometimes Natthawut is as bad as Jatuporn.

Encouraging someone committing an illegal act to sue the police for stopping that illegal act.

And he's slotted to become a Pheu Thai Party-list MP???? Sounds perfect for the job.

[Buchholz]

Yes, it is about right and wrong -- you choose to carry on about the 4 that were closed down for being illegal. Were the other 10 raided just to say " hello " ? I am no "red apologist", but my brain tells me that raiding ten radio stations that seem to be legal, can only be for the purpose of harrassing and silencing opposition voices. The police would know before they raided, whether they were legal or otherwise. This is not right and it is certainly not democratic . Just what kind of democaracy do you believe in ?

Subsequent news reports have 13 of the 14 being closed.

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post and replies to it have been removed.

[tigermonkey]

Yes, it is about right and wrong -- you choose to carry on about the 4 that were closed down for being illegal. Were the other 10 raided just to say " hello " ? I am no "red apologist", but my brain tells me that raiding ten radio stations that seem to be legal, can only be for the purpose of harrassing and silencing opposition voices. The police would know before they raided, whether they were legal or otherwise. This is not right and it is certainly not democratic . Just what kind of democaracy do you believe in ?

Subsequent news reports have 13 of the 14 being closed.

Links or sources ---please.

[Buchholz]

Yes, it is about right and wrong -- you choose to carry on about the 4 that were closed down for being illegal. Were the other 10 raided just to say " hello " ? I am no "red apologist", but my brain tells me that raiding ten radio stations that seem to be legal, can only be for the purpose of harrassing and silencing opposition voices. The police would know before they raided, whether they were legal or otherwise. This is not right and it is certainly not democratic . Just what kind of democaracy do you believe in ?

Subsequent news reports have 13 of the 14 being closed.

Links or sources ---please.

Post # 33

Post # 16

[thaihome]

Lost in all the rhetoric and hyperbole about repression and free speech is the fact that the radio stations were closed because they had been re-broadcasting the Jutaporn’s recent speech.

You all remember that one, it’s the one the caused Chavalit to the PTP quit (and a lot of others to think real hard about what the is going on) as he did not want to associated with the message it contained. Amazing how the so many don’t want to talk about content and just want to rant on and on about repression of free speech.

TH

[Emptyset]

Lost in all the rhetoric and hyperbole about repression and free speech is the fact that the radio stations were closed because they had been re-broadcasting the Jutaporn’s recent speech.

You all remember that one, it’s the one the caused Chavalit to the PTP quit (and a lot of others to think real hard about what the is going on) as he did not want to associated with the message it contained. Amazing how the so many don’t want to talk about content and just want to rant on and on about repression of free speech.

TH

So they were in fact closed because they had broadcast a certain speech. But it's not a free speech issue. Thanks for clarifying.

I do want to talk about the content actually, but you realize to discuss it could be illegal right? Anyway, it's good to know that this has absolutely nothing to do with free speech.

[Buchholz]

They were closed because they were illegal.

"complaints from local residents about the illegal radio stations' frequencies interfering with regular radio broadcasts"

If the Red Shirts want to whine about free speech, get their illegal radio stations legal first, and then take it from there. Until such time, they don't have a leg to stand on.

[webfact]

related topic

No Political Motivation Behind Closure Of Red-Shirt Radio Stations

Follow this link: