PDRC newspaper records anti-govt protesters' 'historic' fight
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The first edition of the Rajdamnoen Today newspaper was launched this week for the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), with a mission to provide facts about the people's movement to protesters and the public.

According to the PDRC, the newspaper is a symbol of unity - demonstrating that the group's fight against the "Thaksin regime" is not about to end.

This is not the first time that demonstrators have used the media to support their cause.

Sangtham Chunchadathan, editor of Rajdamnoen Today, said that during the October 14, 1973 uprising, the journalist's pen was an important weapon in the fight against injustice.

"I think a newspaper is a classic way to provide news, so I suggested that the PDRC should produce a paper - one that cannot be found in the mainstream media - to get their message across to the people.

Protesters can also collect it as a reminder of their taking part in these historic events," he said.

Before the massive rally last Sunday, PDRC leaders met with Sangtham, an ASTV anchor and editor of DemoCrazy magazine, to plan the first edition to be launched the day after Sunday's demonstrations.

They guessed it was the right time to do this, as the fight against the government was bound to continue, Sangtham said. He then presented a four-page layout of the first edition to the PDRC's spokesman Akanat Promphan for consideration. Akanat finally said "yes" and agreed to become the newspaper's director.

"The name of newspaper was discussed at length before we settled on Rajdamnoen Today. Some suggested "Nokwheet Rai Wan" (The Daily Whistle), because the whistle had become a symbol of our fight. But others were concerned that the name was not hard-hitting enough, so Rajdamnoen Today was chosen," Sangtham said.

The newspaper, which is run by a team of five to six journalists, has no field reporters. Instead the team monitors the protests via news websites and the BlueSky Channel. Sangtham always contacts the newspaper's staff via phone, or calls a meeting in the evening to select three to four issues to lead on the front page.

Sangtham said he believed the role of the media was to deliver facts to the public and then offer a response.

"Previously, the media's role in society was to act like a mirror and report the facts. I don't think that is enough anymore. The media should be a lamp - lighting the way, so that people are made aware of the real situation," he said.

Sangtham, who is the son of Thanya Chunchadathan - a political activist in the October 14, 1973 uprising against the military dictatorship - said his father believed that the PDRC was the biggest such movement in Thai political history. "I always think of the October 14, 1973 uprising as a historic milestone. I had a dream that my generation would one day make history - now I am doing it," Sangtham said.

He added that he had no idea what would happen next. "I just know that I am fighting alongside a movement [the PDRC] with influential people whose ideology is also my own.

"When the fighting ends, I hope I am remembered for the part I played," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-28

I notice that the editor is also the editor of DemoCrazy magazine.

I suppose you could take that title two ways............

I thought influential people was the problem to start with?

Their ideology, I am yet to understand.

"Sangtham said he believed the role of the media was to deliver facts to the public and then offer a response."

Believe it or not, unbiased reporting is the most helpful to society. Although I can't imagine it happening here.

This paper will be breathless rants covered in spittle.

They need a good logo? And a theme song?

"The media should be a lamp - lighting the way, so that people are made aware of the real situation," he said."

So the media should no longer just report the news, but also interpret it. Not too much wrong so far. But "lighting the way" and "making aware" sounds quite arrogant. The simple readers wouldn't understand otherwise. Next they'll propagate the census voting again: only educated people allowed to vote...

The only Historic thing about this movement is that it belongs in the 16th Century, not the 21st Century.

So now the movement have two "newspapers", this rag and The Nation!!

So now the movement have two "newspapers", this rag and The Nation!!

has

If they have a newspaper why not print the reforms planned, by Suthep, if god forbid he ever ascends to a position of power. Let all of Thailand know exactly how these reforms will take place and name 300 of your friends who will sit on this reform council. Time to put some meat on the skeleton of this elite uprising.

come on stop seeling yourselves short

First paper, I think not

-- The Nation 2013-12-28

Theres the PDRC paper and they have been working at it for a long time now

Great a information paper with a platform for all the reforms ideas solutions and list of the 300 and roadmap forward................................ not

Great a information paper with a platform for all the reforms ideas solutions and list of the 300 and roadmap forward................................ not

an

Let's call it by it's correct name. A propaganda rag.

The newspaper, which is run by a team of five to six journalists, has no field reporters. Instead the team monitors the protests via news websites and the BlueSky Channel.

Sounds like 'The Nation' to me.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

At last, a decent newspaper!

wow, they can haz a newspaper and they can haz tis too:

... another super hero character for the Chula art kids to paint on the wall

I guess its historic. Your father fought for democracy in 1973, and now you fight to end it in 2013.

Heck of a father and son team.

I guess its historic. Your father fought for democracy in 1973, and now you fight to end it in 2013.

Heck of a father and son team.

Dad will have been proud!

Will they have guest articles from North Korea's state newspaper?

Before the massive rally last Sunday, PDRC leaders met with Sangtham, an ASTV anchor and editor of DemoCrazy magazine, to plan the first edition to be launched the day after Sunday's demonstrations.

Are they serious? They call themselves DemoCrazy?

Hey, they said it, not me. We better believe it.