Thai Army Chief Prayuth cautions media against criticism

[webfact]

Army Chief Cautions Media Against Criticism
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- The chief of Royal Thai Army has advised the media to be strictly cautious when covering the news of court inquests over deaths in 2010 crackdown.

The inquests have suggested the roles of the military in the crackdown which killed scores of civilians during the Redshirts protests of April-May 2010; the latest inquest, for instance, stated that two Redshirts protesters were killed by a gunfire from the military position in the night of 10 April 2010.

The military has denied any involvement in those deaths, and today Gen. Prayuth Chantara-ocha has repeated that stance by claiming that the matter is far from conclusion and that the public should wait for more legal procedures before they come to their judgement.

"Please don′t conclude things hastily. If you do that, there will be chaos in our country," said Gen. Prayuth.

He also stressed that the media should refrain from providing commentaries about the court inquests as it would amount to "pressuring" the authorities.

"No matter what colour and what side you are on, you cannot pressure the state personnel. You cannot intimidate their children or their wives. I ask you this, is that fair? Or you want to live without legal system? You cannot do that as the country will break apart," Gen. Prayuth is quoted as saying.

Furthermore, the army chief called for the media to "be respectful" to the military. He accused an unspecified media agency of unjustly criticising him, before adding that "Don′t use [angry] emotion in your writing. If I have [angry] emotion as well, we won′t be able to coexist".

He insisted that he had been "patient" with the critical coverage from the press but nevertheless warned that the media should take care not to accuse the Royal Thai Army of being politically biased because "the Army has only one side: the country. We defend the nation, the religion, and the monarchy".

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE1URXpOalUwTkE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-10-07

[Tatsujin]

So be quiet, or we'll have another coup . . . you have been warned.

[soi41]

We are getting closer and closer to a dictatorship!!

Don't criticise the government, don't criticise the army, whats next? Don't question TAT's numbers?

[DocN]

We are getting closer and closer to a dictatorship!!

Don't criticise the government, don't criticise the army, whats next? Don't question TAT's numbers?

You question the TAT numbers??????????

[Patje]

That's real mockratie !!!!

[clockman]

The truth always hurts!

[FarangTalk]

Prayuth is nothing more than a little fascist bully.

the Army has only one side: the country. We defend the nation, the religion, and the monarchy".

A dangerous statement of intent.

The sooner the Thai military is reduced to the role of self-important little thugs for hire that they so clearly are the better.

They know their demise is imminent once their handlers lose their grip on power once and for all.

Only a matter of time now.

[LuckyLew]

""No matter what colour and what side you are on, you cannot pressure the state personnel. You cannot intimidate their children or their wives. I ask you this, is that fair?"

Pressure and intimidation is the domain of red thugs and PTP ... how dare the media use their tactics. Reporting the truth is not allowed

[Thai at Heart]

"Don′t use [angry] emotion in your writing. If I have [angry] emotion as well, we won′t be able to coexist"

I think a statement like that is worthy of investigation by the constitutional court.

[siampolee]

The sooner the Thai military is reduced to the role of self-important little thugs for hire that they so clearly are the better.

That already is their current status as has been so for many a year.

"Please don′t conclude things hastily. If you do that, there will be chaos in our country," said Gen. Prayuth.

An interesting comment. Innuendo or a warning one must ask?

Is it a veiled threat to the current powers that be, a hint of events to come or a none to subtle warning to those involved in the judicial process and the fourth estate too?

Edited October 7, 2013 by siampolee

[RubbaJohnny]

When was the last coup led by poor.oppressed,workers,monks,students,other groups as happens all over the world?

While not an expert on dates I seem to have lived through many coups which have all been from one anti-democratic source.

The justification is that we cannot trust the poor not to seek justice.USA shamefully supports its client,

What is so hard to believe is how these valiants achieved so many medals (co -opearating with Hirohito ?)

[Pib]

I guess we'll get to find out if the pen is mightier than the sword, but in Thailand that old proverb may be reversed.

[anon210]

He insisted that he had been "patient" with the critical coverage from the press but nevertheless warned that the media should take care not to accuse the Royal Thai Army of being politically biased because "the Army has only one side: the country. We defend the nation, the religion, and the monarchy".

The "religion"? Which religion?! Last time I checked, I did not know Thailand was a theocracy not any different from Islamic caliphates...

Seems to confirm that as the foundations of Buddhism erode more and more in Thailand due to the corruption of monks, the only thing left is to give it in the hands of the army.

Guess that it won't be long before we get the Rohingyas "solution" in Thailand, and "religious" cleansing by fanatic buddhist mobs.

[Jim walker]

We all know what the legal procedures and judgements are like in Thailand we dont need to wait General we can easily make our own judgements thank you very much most of us watched the troubles on the international news channels and saw for ourselves exactly what was happening .

I think what the Thai military need is another TV channel to get their story over and if they keep repeating it often enough how wonderful they were at defending the Thai people during the troubles someone might almost believe them.

[Jim walker]

Respect is what you earn its not an order Gen. Prayuth the international media will give you all the respect you deserve I am sure of that.

[MikeOboe57]

After the Government and PolGen Pisit it is the Army chief's turn to ask for exemption from criticism. I think we have got all bases covered now.

[poohy]

Surely it would be easier if the army just controlled all news tv and papers still showed Thai soaps to keep most people happy, it would get rid of any pesky other journalists that might write with bad breath

All would be happy in paradise apart from those damn foreign news and thankfully they ignore Thailand 99.9 of the time as its such an insignificant tin pot regime

just an idea colonel! ( courtesy of Allo Allo)

[bigbamboo]

Pheu Thai seem to be winning all the frontline court battles just now so maybe this is a pincer movement from the army to try and restore the balance.

[Arkady]

What does he mean by telling the media to be cautious when reporting court proceedings relating the military's role in the events of 2010? Their job is just to report what happened in court or does he mean they should not report anything or always report that the army was exonerated, even if they weren't. Seems a strange statement for an army chief.

[nicknostitz]

What does he mean by telling the media to be cautious when reporting court proceedings relating the military's role in the events of 2010? Their job is just to report what happened in court or does he mean they should not report anything or always report that the army was exonerated, even if they weren't. Seems a strange statement for an army chief.

He basically means to say that of utmost importance is to protect the three pillar ideology, and as the military's supreme duty is the protection of the three pillars, any weakening of the military would automatically equate leaving the three pillars in a vulnerable position. Which, following this logic, the army cannot allow to happen. He reminds the media here what their duty within this context should be as well, in his duty as army chief, and therefore chief protector.

I would lie if i would say that those sort of statements would not make me slightly uncomfortable...

[pisico]

When was the last coup led by poor.oppressed,workers,monks,students,other groups as happens all over the world?

While not an expert on dates I seem to have lived through many coups which have all been from one anti-democratic source.

The justification is that we cannot trust the poor not to seek justice.USA shamefully supports its client,

What is so hard to believe is how these valiants achieved so many medals (co -opearating with Hirohito ?)

QUOTE (co -operating with Hirohito ?) END QUOTE

Thais invariable retort when reminded of those years of Thai shameful history: "But that was a long time ago!!!"

TSK, TSK, TSK! Thainess; will we ever be able to understand it?

[backtonormal]

The 3 pillars of Thainess. That old chestnut...covered up many a discretion as that

[backtonormal]

As mentioned in another thread, when they actual rewrite Thai history and the roles of individuals and certain groups is laid bared with regard to some of Thailands darkest days...it will be one hell of a read

[bobmac10]

They live in a parallel universe, one where everyone worships bright shiny uniforms and men of high military rank.

They're good at shoving the weak around but how would they perform against a properly trained military force?

I have my doubts.

[rametindallas]

Maybe the nice general would like a law similar to Lese Majesty for the Military. Prosecution for anyone who complains about the Military. Thailand has no idea of what makes a country free and democratic and is too inward looking to find out.

[mayday49]

When was the last coup led by poor.oppressed,workers,monks,students,other groups as happens all over the world?

While not an expert on dates I seem to have lived through many coups which have all been from one anti-democratic source.

The justification is that we cannot trust the poor not to seek justice.USA shamefully supports its client,

What is so hard to believe is how these valiants achieved so many medals (co -opearating with Hirohito ?)

That swill is Poison , Kind Sir ...

[unanimosity]

The truth always hurts!

"Please don′t conclude things hastily. If you do that, there will be chaos in our country," said Gen. Prayuth.

Not if there is no culpability on behalf of the state in the murders of civilians. Haste would exonerate the military leaders. The phrase Freudian Slip comes to mind. Does he know something others don't?

[NCFC]

When was the last coup led by poor.oppressed,workers,monks,students,other groups as happens all over the world?

While not an expert on dates I seem to have lived through many coups which have all been from one anti-democratic source.

The justification is that we cannot trust the poor not to seek justice.USA shamefully supports its client,

What is so hard to believe is how these valiants achieved so many medals (co -opearating with Hirohito ?)

QUOTE (co -operating with Hirohito ?) END QUOTE

Thais invariable retort when reminded of those years of Thai shameful history: "But that was a long time ago!!!"

TSK, TSK, TSK! Thainess; will we ever be able to understand it?

If you are going to bash the Thais today for their role in World War two, then what do you have to say for the Italians? Vichy France? The Dutch who volunteered to join the German army? Just consider yourself fortunate that you didn't have to live through those times.

[gemini81]

When was the last coup led by poor.oppressed,workers,monks,students,other groups as happens all over the world?

While not an expert on dates I seem to have lived through many coups which have all been from one anti-democratic source.

The justification is that we cannot trust the poor not to seek justice.USA shamefully supports its client,

What is so hard to believe is how these valiants achieved so many medals (co -opearating with Hirohito ?)

QUOTE (co -operating with Hirohito ?) END QUOTE

Thais invariable retort when reminded of those years of Thai shameful history: "But that was a long time ago!!!"

TSK, TSK, TSK! Thainess; will we ever be able to understand it?

If you are going to bash the Thais today for their role in World War two, then what do you have to say for the Italians? Vichy France? The Dutch who volunteered to join the German army? Just consider yourself fortunate that you didn't have to live through those times.

He's pointing out the limp wristed, castrated passiveness approach here, instead of fighting, which is still reflected in today's feminine and metro approach to men in modern Thai society. It's true Just look around. In WWII, they shut down those who wanted to take up arms against Japan.

Muay Thai is about the last glimpse of manliness here. No wonder the girls crave foreign guys, cool, more for us to choose from and play with.

Edited October 8, 2013 by gemini81

[Frank James]

I hope for some of your sakes that The General is not a reader of Thai Visa forums. Tough crowd today, as usual.

I see he defines the role of the military as... "defend(ing) the nation, the religion, and the monarchy". I never heard that it was the military's job to defend the religion. Is that in the Thai constitution? I thought there was no official state religion in Thailand. Would the military protect Thai Muslims if they were persecuted like the Royhingas, by militant Buddhists?