PM Yingluck Denies Thai Govt's Interference With Press Corps

[webfact]

PM Denies Govt's Interference with Press Corps

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has denied a report that the government intentionally excluded a Channel 7 correspondent team from covering the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra repudiated recent reports that the government has asked the Channel 7 television station not to send its correspondent team to cover the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, saying that she has not been informed of the issue but the correspondents themselves should know better than anyone else that she has never interfered with their work.

The prime minister added that she always answers all of their questions and said that there is a mutual respect between her and the press.

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

When the station's executive refused to comply on the ground that preparations had already been made, the team's permission to cover the event was revoked.

The government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration process for its correspondents even though their names were submitted by the Government Spokesman Bureau itself.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-02

[bigbamboo]

I think Channel 7 are missing a trick here. Just send their reporter to Dubai instead and be the first to hear what Yingluck will have to say!

Edited April 2, 2012 by bigbamboo

[Buchholz]

More "furthering"....

A further censoring by the government which is branching out from the internet to television

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5183011

[CalgaryII]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Edited April 2, 2012 by CalgaryII

[RegularReader]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Rubbish.

This is typical of the "it wasn't us" tactics this government inherited from TS 1.

Slowly the "new" media manager (Abhisit's cousin) is turning back the clock to when he was "Goebels" in the last Thaksin government.

[OzMick]

It didn't happen because Yingluk wasn't informed.....................oh. my!

[pimay11]

The prime minister added that she always answers all of their questions and said that there is a mutual respect between her and the press.

I suppose she considers smiling and walking away in silence is an answer. Lights are on but no one's home comes to mind.

[thaihome]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Yes, she did rile Yinluck's supportors to the point they posted her picture on Facebook with the note "Remember her face so that when she is seen anywhere, please 'take care' of her".

What quota would that be? Can you back up your claim that Cambodia is limiting the number of journalist that are allowed to attend by setting quotas? What are the quotas based on? Nationality? Media company? Type of media? Is this more red shirt pillow talk you are repeating here?

TH

[pimay11]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Yes, she did rile Yinluck's supportors to the point they posted her picture on Facebook with the note "Remember her face so that when she is seen anywhere, please 'take care' of her".

What quota would that be? Can you back up your claim that Cambodia is limiting the number of journalist that are allowed to attend by setting quotas? What are the quotas based on? Nationality? Media company? Type of media? Is this more red shirt pillow talk you are repeating here?

TH

Of course he can't. Just more nonsense bs from the resident troll.

Edited April 2, 2012 by pimay11

[ramrod711]

Does anyone know if this is the same station where the staff had to escape through a window and clamber over a wall when the red shirts set fire to cars in the parkade. The co-anchor from the station wrote a gereat article in the New York Times. She was a little upset about the attempt to roast her alive.

[jonclark]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Do you know you've used the word 'mantra' 13 times in your last 5 posts? Seems like you're the one repeating a mantra (not the opposition).

[whybother]

Does anyone know if this is the same station where the staff had to escape through a window and clamber over a wall when the red shirts set fire to cars in the parkade. The co-anchor from the station wrote a gereat article in the New York Times. She was a little upset about the attempt to roast her alive.

That was Channel 3.

[swillowbee]

... hard to believe anything she says on the subject ... she leads a country now known to be a world laggard in press freedom.

... Thailand is still consistently ranked between only 'Partly Free' and 'Not Free' by the many associations rating press freedom worldwide ... Journalist Without Borders, Freedom House, etc.

... the marked erosion of Thailand's press freedom is notable, trending downward for several years, with a huge 23 point drop in 2010 to 153rd in a list of 178 countries.

... coincidentally, all Internet traffic in Thailand is monitored.

... nice going guys ... welcomed to Eastern Europe cir. 1960.

______________________________________________________________

... the greatest threat to Thailand's ruling feudal lords is a 14-year old Thai kid with a library card and a wifi connection.

Edited April 2, 2012 by swillowbee

[thaihome]

.... coincidentally, all Internet traffic in Thailand is monitored.

... nice going guys ... welcomed to Eastern Europe cir. 1960.

______________________________________________________________

There was no internet in 1960.

TH

[geriatrickid]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Yes, she did rile Yinluck's supportors to the point they posted her picture on Facebook with the note "Remember her face so that when she is seen anywhere, please 'take care' of her".

What quota would that be? Can you back up your claim that Cambodia is limiting the number of journalist that are allowed to attend by setting quotas? What are the quotas based on? Nationality? Media company? Type of media? Is this more red shirt pillow talk you are repeating here?

TH

No it's not redshirt pillow talk. The Cambodian government has a right to say who is allowed into its country and to the best of my knowledge, the person in question is not acceptable to the Cambodians. I believe it has to do with previous derisve statements about the nation. That being said, the Thai government could force the issue, but why would it do so for someone that is hostile to the government? The situation isn't that much dfferent to the US White House sending a message to some reporters when they are not allowed on Air Force 1. The Canadian PMO when allocating seats on the Airbus to a foreign destination also has a habit of advising no availability to some reporters. The former Spanish PM's office did it too, and I don't think it is at all unusual for government leaders's offices to not bend over backwards for hostile reporters.

BTW, nothing precludes this person from traveling at her employers expense and covering the event as an independent. All that she needs is permission from the Cambodians. Up to her.

[geriatrickid]

... hard to believe anything she says on the subject ... she leads a country now known to be a world laggard in press freedom.

... Thailand is still consistently ranked between only 'Partly Free' and 'Not Free' by the many associations rating press freedom worldwide ... Journalist Without Borders, Freedom House, etc.

... the marked erosion of Thailand's press freedom is notable, trending downward for several years, with a huge 23 point drop in 2010 to 153rd in a list of 178 countries.

... coincidentally, all Internet traffic in Thailand is monitored.

... nice going guys ... welcomed to Eastern Europe cir. 1960.

______________________________________________________________

... the greatest threat to Thailand's ruling feudal lords is a 14-year old Thai kid with a library card and a wifi connection.

I do not believe Thailand has a public library system, so no worries on that.

The current government program to provide tablets may very well provide wifi capability to the masses, which should cause those that wish to keep the poor cut off from "knowledge"; The tablet's specifications are a wi-fi enabled tablet, seven-inch touch screen, a main storage unit of 16GB, 1GHz dual core CPU or higher, 512MB RAM or higher and an Android 3.2 operating system compatible with Android 4.0.

[geriatrickid]

Does anyone know if this is the same station where the staff had to escape through a window and clamber over a wall when the red shirts set fire to cars in the parkade. The co-anchor from the station wrote a gereat article in the New York Times. She was a little upset about the attempt to roast her alive.

That was Channel 3.

In the eyes of a frother, the numbers all look the same.

[geriatrickid]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Do you know you've used the word 'mantra' 13 times in your last 5 posts? Seems like you're the one repeating a mantra (not the opposition).

I think its better than those that mention Thaksin in every posting. The toilet backed up - Blame Thakin. A Democrat member is accused of premedidated murder and still sits in cacusus - Point to Thaksin to excuse the sitation. The Cambodians are sensitive about Thais who are hostile to Cambodia - Blame Thaksin. Can you dig it?

[Buchholz]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Yes, she did rile Yinluck's supportors to the point they posted her picture on Facebook with the note "Remember her face so that when she is seen anywhere, please 'take care' of her".

What quota would that be? Can you back up your claim that Cambodia is limiting the number of journalist that are allowed to attend by setting quotas? What are the quotas based on? Nationality? Media company? Type of media? Is this more red shirt pillow talk you are repeating here?

In the absence of any corroboration, the answer points to yes.

.

[rubl]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Yes, she did rile Yinluck's supportors to the point they posted her picture on Facebook with the note "Remember her face so that when she is seen anywhere, please 'take care' of her".

What quota would that be? Can you back up your claim that Cambodia is limiting the number of journalist that are allowed to attend by setting quotas? What are the quotas based on? Nationality? Media company? Type of media? Is this more red shirt pillow talk you are repeating here?

TH

No it's not redshirt pillow talk. The Cambodian government has a right to say who is allowed into its country and to the best of my knowledge, the person in question is not acceptable to the Cambodians. I believe it has to do with previous derisve statements about the nation. That being said, the Thai government could force the issue, but why would it do so for someone that is hostile to the government? The situation isn't that much dfferent to the US White House sending a message to some reporters when they are not allowed on Air Force 1. The Canadian PMO when allocating seats on the Airbus to a foreign destination also has a habit of advising no availability to some reporters. The former Spanish PM's office did it too, and I don't think it is at all unusual for government leaders's offices to not bend over backwards for hostile reporters.

BTW, nothing precludes this person from traveling at her employers expense and covering the event as an independent. All that she needs is permission from the Cambodians. Up to her.

The Cambodian government has indeed the right to refuse entry. Being a political reporter can be tough, not all countries as so media friendly as Thailand.

Mind you the article states

"However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

When the station's executive refused to comply on the ground that preparations had already been made, the team's permission to cover the event was revoked.

The government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration process for its correspondents even though their names were submitted by the Government Spokesman Bureau itself."

In other words, it's only on dear member Calgaryll's say so that the Cambodians got involved and causing you to start defending them.

Interesting, interesting indeed

[jonclark]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Do you know you've used the word 'mantra' 13 times in your last 5 posts? Seems like you're the one repeating a mantra (not the opposition).

I think its better than those that mention Thaksin in every posting. The toilet backed up - Blame Thakin. A Democrat member is accused of premedidated murder and still sits in cacusus - Point to Thaksin to excuse the sitation. The Cambodians are sensitive about Thais who are hostile to Cambodia - Blame Thaksin. Can you dig it?

I wouldn't say its better. I'd say it's equally poor and that i can dig!!

[Unkomoncents]

If they say they didn't do something as specific as this, you can be nearly certain that they did do it. Basically, with the Thai government, just take what they say and presume the exact opposite. This works amazingly well for ascertaining the truth in Thailand (though not so much in many other countries).

[geriatrickid]

However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit.

Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

This litle lady has a lot of baggage. She wrote two books worshipping and idolizing Mr. Abhisit, and then attacked Ms. Y to the point of raising the ire of Ms. Y. supporters......... Trying to characterize an attack as 'tough questions' has been the media mantra of her supporters......... Most of you know this history.....But I understand there is one additional 'peel to this onion' not disclosed in the above article. That being Cambodia refused her and her team. Apparently reporters go as an advance team, and the quota was filled previously....But never mind. Considering the history noted above, one could expect 'tough sledding' for this little lady in covering Ms. Y. Best to re-assign her to cover Bangkok sewer development issues.

Yes, she did rile Yinluck's supportors to the point they posted her picture on Facebook with the note "Remember her face so that when she is seen anywhere, please 'take care' of her".

What quota would that be? Can you back up your claim that Cambodia is limiting the number of journalist that are allowed to attend by setting quotas? What are the quotas based on? Nationality? Media company? Type of media? Is this more red shirt pillow talk you are repeating here?

TH

No it's not redshirt pillow talk. The Cambodian government has a right to say who is allowed into its country and to the best of my knowledge, the person in question is not acceptable to the Cambodians. I believe it has to do with previous derisve statements about the nation. That being said, the Thai government could force the issue, but why would it do so for someone that is hostile to the government? The situation isn't that much dfferent to the US White House sending a message to some reporters when they are not allowed on Air Force 1. The Canadian PMO when allocating seats on the Airbus to a foreign destination also has a habit of advising no availability to some reporters. The former Spanish PM's office did it too, and I don't think it is at all unusual for government leaders's offices to not bend over backwards for hostile reporters.

BTW, nothing precludes this person from traveling at her employers expense and covering the event as an independent. All that she needs is permission from the Cambodians. Up to her.

The Cambodian government has indeed the right to refuse entry. Being a political reporter can be tough, not all countries as so media friendly as Thailand.

Mind you the article states

"However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

When the station's executive refused to comply on the ground that preparations had already been made, the team's permission to cover the event was revoked.

The government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration process for its correspondents even though their names were submitted by the Government Spokesman Bureau itself."

In other words, it's only on dear member Calgaryll's say so that the Cambodians got involved and causing you to start defending them.

Interesting, interesting indeed

Fair criticism. However, you will no doubt agree, the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times. These people seem to screw up 50% of whatever they touch. I consider the press office to be one of the weakest parts of the government and their statements and actions cause the PM damage. I don't know what it is with Thai governments, but it has been the same for all of them. Abhisit's and Thaksin's media relations people were just as bad. The only ones that ever were able to avoid inflicting self damage was the military junta and a great part of that was due to its refusal to talk to the media, Maybe the incompetence isn't that and just a reflection that Thai politcians have for the media, I don't know. One thing I do know is that the PMO's media relations people dropped the ball on this and have provided confusing and incomplete statements.

[rubl]

No it's not redshirt pillow talk. The Cambodian government has a right to say who is allowed into its country and to the best of my knowledge, the person in question is not acceptable to the Cambodians. I believe it has to do with previous derisve statements about the nation. That being said, the Thai government could force the issue, but why would it do so for someone that is hostile to the government? The situation isn't that much dfferent to the US White House sending a message to some reporters when they are not allowed on Air Force 1. The Canadian PMO when allocating seats on the Airbus to a foreign destination also has a habit of advising no availability to some reporters. The former Spanish PM's office did it too, and I don't think it is at all unusual for government leaders's offices to not bend over backwards for hostile reporters.

BTW, nothing precludes this person from traveling at her employers expense and covering the event as an independent. All that she needs is permission from the Cambodians. Up to her.

The Cambodian government has indeed the right to refuse entry. Being a political reporter can be tough, not all countries as so media friendly as Thailand.

Mind you the article states

"However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

When the station's executive refused to comply on the ground that preparations had already been made, the team's permission to cover the event was revoked.

The government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration process for its correspondents even though their names were submitted by the Government Spokesman Bureau itself."

In other words, it's only on dear member Calgaryll's say so that the Cambodians got involved and causing you to start defending them.

Interesting, interesting indeed

Fair criticism. However, you will no doubt agree, the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times. These people seem to screw up 50% of whatever they touch. I consider the press office to be one of the weakest parts of the government and their statements and actions cause the PM damage. I don't know what it is with Thai governments, but it has been the same for all of them. Abhisit's and Thaksin's media relations people were just as bad. The only ones that ever were able to avoid inflicting self damage was the military junta and a great part of that was due to its refusal to talk to the media, Maybe the incompetence isn't that and just a reflection that Thai politcians have for the media, I don't know. One thing I do know is that the PMO's media relations people dropped the ball on this and have provided confusing and incomplete statements.

Yes, I can agree with "the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times". The "government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration pro...." is just a whitewash. One may wonder though what about the "government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn" and "station's executive refused to comply ... the team's permission to cover the event was revoked".

Thailand's status regarding press freedom will never improve when this type of censorship is continuing if only alleged at the moment. Just like MCOT dropping the Dem's broadcast. Doesn't look good.

[CalgaryII]

Somewhere in this discussion dealing with alleged media censorship, it is worth remembering the total banning and elimination of the UDD/Red Shirt TV channel , D-Channel - by the coupists during R'song, while ASTV was allowed to merrily go on its' way, promoting those who were being protested against. Arguably, there is no Thai Media censorship in recent memory which had a greater impact in terms of antagonizing a dominant electoral block so shockingly, than that did, at that time. To all-of-a-sudden see a screen go black that thousands were glued to every day, was Orwellian to say the least. For every one of the thousands of protesters in Bangkok, there were 10 or more back home, watching their progress.......... I notice some people making dubious and unsupported negative comments about protester actions, without referencing what provoked them, such as the above. This is being disengenuous. During any protest as in this case, there are cause and effect. Referencing one without the other is misleading. Especially when one side is demonized. During protests as during divorce, there are always two sides to the story. One action begets another. Describing one without the other doesn't fly.

Edited April 2, 2012 by CalgaryII

[phiphidon]

No it's not redshirt pillow talk. The Cambodian government has a right to say who is allowed into its country and to the best of my knowledge, the person in question is not acceptable to the Cambodians. I believe it has to do with previous derisve statements about the nation. That being said, the Thai government could force the issue, but why would it do so for someone that is hostile to the government? The situation isn't that much dfferent to the US White House sending a message to some reporters when they are not allowed on Air Force 1. The Canadian PMO when allocating seats on the Airbus to a foreign destination also has a habit of advising no availability to some reporters. The former Spanish PM's office did it too, and I don't think it is at all unusual for government leaders's offices to not bend over backwards for hostile reporters.

BTW, nothing precludes this person from traveling at her employers expense and covering the event as an independent. All that she needs is permission from the Cambodians. Up to her.

The Cambodian government has indeed the right to refuse entry. Being a political reporter can be tough, not all countries as so media friendly as Thailand.

Mind you the article states

"However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

When the station's executive refused to comply on the ground that preparations had already been made, the team's permission to cover the event was revoked.

The government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration process for its correspondents even though their names were submitted by the Government Spokesman Bureau itself."

In other words, it's only on dear member Calgaryll's say so that the Cambodians got involved and causing you to start defending them.

Interesting, interesting indeed

Fair criticism. However, you will no doubt agree, the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times. These people seem to screw up 50% of whatever they touch. I consider the press office to be one of the weakest parts of the government and their statements and actions cause the PM damage. I don't know what it is with Thai governments, but it has been the same for all of them. Abhisit's and Thaksin's media relations people were just as bad. The only ones that ever were able to avoid inflicting self damage was the military junta and a great part of that was due to its refusal to talk to the media, Maybe the incompetence isn't that and just a reflection that Thai politcians have for the media, I don't know. One thing I do know is that the PMO's media relations people dropped the ball on this and have provided confusing and incomplete statements.

Yes, I can agree with "the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times". The "government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration pro...." is just a whitewash. One may wonder though what about the "government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn" and "station's executive refused to comply ... the team's permission to cover the event was revoked".

Thailand's status regarding press freedom will never improve when this type of censorship is continuing if only alleged at the moment. Just like MCOT dropping the Dem's broadcast. Doesn't look good.

One may wonder though what about the "government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn" and "station's executive refused to comply ... the team's permission to cover the event was revoked".

Yes rubl one could wonder and wonder about that statement but you won't get anywhere seeing it was from the usual get out clause "the source".

It was only in the last week or so the usual suspects were giggling to themselves and egging each other on like schoolboys to say ever more outrageous things after they had read that Yingluck had invited a korean born thai boy band member to Korea for the summit. Of course that was the gospel truth from The Nation told them by "a source".

The fact that this never happened did not suprise me in the least nor did the lack of backtracking posts admitting they were wrong from the usual suspects.

Some things on here are a given.

[ramrod711]

Does anyone know if this is the same station where the staff had to escape through a window and clamber over a wall when the red shirts set fire to cars in the parkade. The co-anchor from the station wrote a gereat article in the New York Times. She was a little upset about the attempt to roast her alive.

That was Channel 3.

In the eyes of a frother, the numbers all look the same.

I find it humorous that you don't like to be reminded about the acts of the red shirts. I mean, they burned city halls, manufactured M79 grenade launchers, tried to blow up the main power line into Bangkok, tried to burn the fuel supply at the airport and forced the evacuation of a hospital. You should be proud, it was all done for the cause, don't deny it and call me names. Stand up and say "yes we did it, and we would do it again"

[WackySomchai]

The ugly face of the fugitive's dictatorship is returning all around us. When will a majority of Thais wake up?

[rubl]

Fair criticism. However, you will no doubt agree, the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times. These people seem to screw up 50% of whatever they touch. I consider the press office to be one of the weakest parts of the government and their statements and actions cause the PM damage. I don't know what it is with Thai governments, but it has been the same for all of them. Abhisit's and Thaksin's media relations people were just as bad. The only ones that ever were able to avoid inflicting self damage was the military junta and a great part of that was due to its refusal to talk to the media, Maybe the incompetence isn't that and just a reflection that Thai politcians have for the media, I don't know. One thing I do know is that the PMO's media relations people dropped the ball on this and have provided confusing and incomplete statements.

Yes, I can agree with "the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times". The "government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration pro...." is just a whitewash. One may wonder though what about the "government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn" and "station's executive refused to comply ... the team's permission to cover the event was revoked".

Thailand's status regarding press freedom will never improve when this type of censorship is continuing if only alleged at the moment. Just like MCOT dropping the Dem's broadcast. Doesn't look good.

One may wonder though what about the "government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn" and "station's executive refused to comply ... the team's permission to cover the event was revoked".

Yes rubl one could wonder and wonder about that statement but you won't get anywhere seeing it was from the usual get out clause "the source".

It was only in the last week or so the usual suspects were giggling to themselves and egging each other on like schoolboys to say ever more outrageous things after they had read that Yingluck had invited a korean born thai boy band member to Korea for the summit. Of course that was the gospel truth from The Nation told them by "a source".

The fact that this never happened did not suprise me in the least nor did the lack of backtracking posts admitting they were wrong from the usual suspects.

Some things on here are a given.

A given that some posters will keep on trying to bring up irrelevant issues.

"Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra repudiated recent reports that the government has asked the Channel 7 television station not to send its correspondent team to cover the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, saying that she has not been informed of the issue but the correspondents themselves should know better than anyone else that she has never interfered with their work."

One may wonder how the 'not been informed' had originally been in Thai? Not being informed as usual gives our PM a very plausable denyability brought to you with smile.

[Buchholz]

The Cambodian government has indeed the right to refuse entry. Being a political reporter can be tough, not all countries as so media friendly as Thailand.

Mind you the article states

"However, a source at the Government House disclosed that the government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn, a political reporter who was intimidated by the red shirt group for posing tough questions to the premier, from the list of correspondents who are to travel to Phnom Penh to cover the summit.

When the station's executive refused to comply on the ground that preparations had already been made, the team's permission to cover the event was revoked.

The government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration process for its correspondents even though their names were submitted by the Government Spokesman Bureau itself."

In other words, it's only on dear member Calgaryll's say so that the Cambodians got involved and causing you to start defending them.

Interesting, interesting indeed

Fair criticism. However, you will no doubt agree, the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times. These people seem to screw up 50% of whatever they touch. I consider the press office to be one of the weakest parts of the government and their statements and actions cause the PM damage. I don't know what it is with Thai governments, but it has been the same for all of them. Abhisit's and Thaksin's media relations people were just as bad. The only ones that ever were able to avoid inflicting self damage was the military junta and a great part of that was due to its refusal to talk to the media, Maybe the incompetence isn't that and just a reflection that Thai politcians have for the media, I don't know. One thing I do know is that the PMO's media relations people dropped the ball on this and have provided confusing and incomplete statements.

Yes, I can agree with "the PMO has a press office that borders on incompetence at times". The "government claimed that the station failed to clear the online registration pro...." is just a whitewash. One may wonder though what about the "government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn" and "station's executive refused to comply ... the team's permission to cover the event was revoked".

Thailand's status regarding press freedom will never improve when this type of censorship is continuing if only alleged at the moment. Just like MCOT dropping the Dem's broadcast. Doesn't look good.

One may wonder though what about the "government demanded the station remove Somjit Navakruasunthorn" and "station's executive refused to comply ... the team's permission to cover the event was revoked".

Yes rubl one could wonder and wonder about that statement but you won't get anywhere seeing it was from the usual get out clause "the source".

It was only in the last week or so the usual suspects were giggling to themselves and egging each other on like schoolboys to say ever more outrageous things after they had read that Yingluck had invited a korean born thai boy band member to Korea for the summit. Of course that was the gospel truth from The Nation told them by "a source".

The fact that this never happened

and yet....... there he was... right in Seoul with Yingluck and cousin Foreign Minister Surapong...

.