Redshirts channel host rejects 'censorship' allegation

[webfact]

Redshirts Channel Host Rejects 'Censorship' Allegation
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Many supporters of the Redshirts have been stunned by the announcement that four core leaders of the movements had been suspended from a cable TV channel long known for its alliance to the Redshirts.

Three of them are leading figures of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD): Ms. Thida Tojirakarn, Mr. Nattawut Saikua, and Mr. Jatupon Prompan. The other suspended host is Mr. Sombat Boon-ngarmanong, the coordinator of Red Sunday group.

Although the channel, called Asia Update, has made no statement explaining its abrupt decision, many believe it is due to the opposition of the four figures against the ′amnesty for all′ plan supported by Pheu Thai Party and the government.

Ms. Thida and Mr. Sombat have previously argued that it is unacceptable that the bill would grant amnesty to the former authorities who launched the crackdown on the Redshirts protests in 2010 crackdown, while Mr. Nattawut and Mr. Jatupon were a part of the handful Pheu Thai MPs who refused to vote for the bill in Parliament last week.

The revelation that the four familiar faces of the Redshirts movements have lost their shows at Asia Update came at a time when the Redshirts appear to be more deeply divided than ever, pitching Pheu Thai hardline supports who agree with the ′blanket amnesty′ against the Redshirts who demand legal prosecution of those involved in 2010 crackdown.

However, Mr. Adisorn Piangked, another host at Asia Update, said today that there is no conflict among the Redshirts leaders, and suggested that the suspension could be "temporary".

He insisted it is normal for channel executives to have contradicting opinions. "I believe they have thought it well before they pull the shows from the program," Mr. Adisorn said, adding that he had not talked to the executives personally about the matter.

"I understand that emotions can get in the way, but we are all true friends," Mr. Adisorn continued, "They just have to understand that if they still maintain their stance, the country won′t find any solution".

"I beg them, please don′t place any further conflict on the people"

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE16VTNNamMzT0E9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-11-05

[klubex99]

Hmmm....

So they suspend the 4 hosts that are vocally opposed to the amnesty bill, then they deny censorship.

Phone call from Oslo threatening to pull funding by any chance??

[NongKhaiKid]

The old saying " when thieves fall out " comes to mind.

If the end product wasn't likely to be very serious it would be fun watching the reds turn on each other and implode.

[mca]

The announcement of the judges line-up for the 2014 season of "The Voice Thailand" disappointed many fans of the show......

[jaidam]

The announcement of the judges line-up for the 2014 season of "The Voice Thailand" disappointed many fans of the show......

I thought it was the Thai version of antiques roadshow, called amulets roadshow.

[Ricardo]

He who pays the piper, calls the tune.

And anyone who shows signs of thinking for themselves, or forms a view to the contrary of the Big Boss, is clearly unfit for continued-employment on his gravy-train band-wagon.

So sacrifices have been made, very visibly and publicly, to encourage the others !

Yay for Red Freedom-Of-Speach !

[Robby nz]

Mr. Nattawut and Mr. Jatupon were a part of the handful Pheu Thai MPs who refused to vote for the bill in Parliament last week.

How did Jutaporn get back to be an MP?

Didn't see his name on the previous list of the 4 who didn't vote.

I thought he got himself kicked out through his own stupidity.

[ratcatcher]

He who pays the piper, calls the tune.

And anyone who shows signs of thinking for themselves, or forms a view to the contrary of the Big Boss, is clearly unfit for continued-employment on his gravy-train band-wagon.

So sacrifices have been made, very visibly and publicly, to encourage the others !

Yay for Red Freedom-Of-Speach !

It is inconceivable that Thaksin would cut these guys, the three most high profile red Shirts, loose after their previous unerring support of him.

But then, nobody knows what goes through Thaksin's deranged mind and what his end game plan is.

This comes to mind.

[Ricardo]

He who pays the piper, calls the tune.

And anyone who shows signs of thinking for themselves, or forms a view to the contrary of the Big Boss, is clearly unfit for continued-employment on his gravy-train band-wagon.

So sacrifices have been made, very visibly and publicly, to encourage the others !

Yay for Red Freedom-Of-Speach !

It is inconceivable that Thaksin would cut these guys, the three most high profile red Shirts, loose after their previous unerring support of him.

But then, nobody knows what goes through Thaksin's deranged mind and what his end game plan is.

rat.jpg

This comes to mind.

"It is inconceiveable ..."

I suspect that Seh Daeng thought much the same thing, or Sondhi & Newin in their day, as loyal supporters and friends ?

Agreed that the separation may prove temporary, if the chastened local-leaders grovel enough, and reinstatement in his favours might be a convenient bone to throw to the Red-Shirts.

Whether he might actually ever think, that he no-longer needs the grass-roots UDD, well who knows ? What might he be being told, by the fawning pilgrims, meeting-up with him in Hong-Kong or Cambodia or Singapore or Dubai ? Might it cause him to make strategic-mistakes, interesting thought, but wandering a little far off-topic.

Edited November 5, 2013 by Ricardo

[GentlemanJim]

I am stunned that Thaksin would try and pull this stunt. Thida is an odious character but she seems scornful and vindictive and more attracted to power over people than money in the bank, Thaksin may have bitten off more than he can chew, in fact with any luck he may have bitten off enough to choke on.

[waza]

Thaksin is cutting off the dead meat, they are no good if they don't support him and if they do, they are no good because they have lost their supporters.

Edited November 5, 2013 by waza

[Pimay1]

There is no honor among thieves.

[rubl]

"However, Mr. Adisorn Piangked, another host at Asia Update, said today that there is no conflict among the Redshirts leaders, and suggested that the suspension could be "temporary""

How does "no conflict between red-shirt leaders" translate into "suspension". Even if some red-shirt leaders are more equal than other red-shirt leaders, who run's Asia Update ?

BTW in all this no reason for suspension is given, just some obfuscation

[siampolee]

Thaksins game of chess has resulted in his Red Shirt pawns being defeated in that classic move '' Fools Mate''.

[yoshiwara]

Well if Thida has been dumped it marks at least for now the end of the idea of an independent left-wing trajectory which was 'using' Thaksin and not vice versa.

Now for those who wish to be considered 'progressives' or 'enlightened reds' (now who might that be?) the supporting of the reds was synonymous with supporting Thaksin, but now that they may be jettisoned like a set of booster rockets for the Thaksin spacecraft, lets just see the essential spinelessness of these guys' positions as they fall into line. Make no mistake, this is and always has been about Thaksin. Those of us who have stood up and said this have been proved 100% right. The so-called 'progressives' are peeing themselves as they are left up the creek without a paddle and all their bluster is peeled away to reveal the sham that it has always been. Cheerio lads, game over.