Bangkok Shutdown: Grabbing global attention

[webfact]

THAI POLITICS
Grabbing global attention
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The anti-government protests have grabbed global attention, with major newspapers and agencies ranging from The New York Times, CNN, BBC to Al Jazeera reporting on the "Bangkok shutdown".

The Wall Street Journal ran a front-page article titled "Thai protesters threaten bourse" yesterday. In the article, 49-year-old Nitithorn Lamlua was quoted as saying: "We have to escalate things from time to time. If Yingluck doesn't resign by January 15, we have to look at what more we can do."

At 4.41am, its article titled "Protesters, angry at premier, fill Bangkok's Central Business District" was deemed the "most-shared". The article said: "The protest was the boldest move in two months of street demonstrations and cut off most traffic to Thailand's costliest real estate and most prestigious addresses. Protest leaders said they would remain on the streets indefinitely."

On Monday, CNN introduced a bar on its home page titled Bangkok "shutdown". At press time, it contained four articles including updated info for tourists.

Coverage of the protests appeared in other global media like the Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC and Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera's report titled "Thai protesters launch Bangkok shutdown" said: "The demonstrators want the embattled prime minister to step down to make way for an appointed government that would oversee electoral reforms to curb the political dominance of her billionaire family and tackle a wider culture of money politics."

-- The Nation 2014-01-15

[Raspberry]

Self absorption is everywhere, not blaming Thailand. Many countries are alike. While there are foreign language articles outside in foreign media here and there, there really isn't that many considering the Protest to be a life changing sort of thing for many Thais. Yes, it pops up once in a while so far. For the last year or so, I've searched and searched, and always ended up reading the Bangkok Post and Nation which...well, let's not go there, but they were my only sources.

Thailand won't let outsiders report what they want to report. The stories of Thai politics from say 2000's remain secretive because of laws like lese majeste. What is reported is the bickering between the parties and politicians. I think Western media see that as cat fights or family feuds, not worthy of news. Instead world news that have regularly popped up on American news like CNN, NPR, ABC, etc. are middle east stories, North Korean stories, European stories. Thai political stories sometimes even are the butt of jokes.

[belg]

shots in the footh, bang bang bang

nails in the coffin, tak tak tak

tourism is always claim to be only 6-9% of the economy anyway, so?

[Time Traveller]

Actually other countries don't really care about what's happening in Thailand (as much as the Thais would like to believe they do) But global news networks have "world news" departments that need to run some story each day so they just show something.

The fact that the protesters are attempting to disrupt the Stock Exchange and the Airport indicates they are desperate for attention and fast losing friends among the Bangkok business community. Foreign allies would add legitimacy to their attempt to overthrow the government.

Would be nice if they could explain how shutting down these is going to help the country. Most foreign investors don't understand or care about the difference between the yellow and red sides, all they see is groups trying to sabotage the country and the economy.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Time Traveller

[mimithewoof]

Having been a fan in past years of the BBC's formerly-respected coverage of international news, I have to say that Jonathan Head's lame efforts over the present protests have finally persuaded me to give up on the 'Beeb'.

I'm aware that the BBC reporters are actually in BKK, which restricts them from commenting on certain aspects of this conflict, but even the Nation and BKK Post are regularly telling it like it (almost) is as regards analysis of the crisis and the reasons behind it.

Shame on you, BBC!

[Ulysses G.]

Most foreign investors don't understand or care about the difference between the yellow and red sides, all they see is groups trying to sabotage the country and the economy.

...And, unfortunately, doing a damn good job of it.

[Suradit69]

Self absorption is everywhere, not blaming Thailand. Many countries are alike. While there are foreign language articles outside in foreign media here and there, there really isn't that many considering the Protest to be a life changing sort of thing for many Thais. Yes, it pops up once in a while so far. For the last year or so, I've searched and searched, and always ended up reading the Bangkok Post and Nation which...well, let's not go there, but they were my only sources.

Thailand won't let outsiders report what they want to report. The stories of Thai politics from say 2000's remain secretive because of laws like lese majeste. What is reported is the bickering between the parties and politicians. I think Western media see that as cat fights or family feuds, not worthy of news. Instead world news that have regularly popped up on American news like CNN, NPR, ABC, etc. are middle east stories, North Korean stories, European stories. Thai political stories sometimes even are the butt of jokes.

"Thai political stories sometimes even are the butt of jokes."

Rather a pathetic attempt on your part to make it seem that media coverage of Thai political theater is different from any other country in the world.

Politics everywhere is treated as a joke by the media ... mainly because it is a joke, and nowhere more of a slapstick farce than in the "important" western countries.

"I think Western media see that as cat fights or family feuds, not worthy of news. "

Based on nothing more than your childish wish to put down everything Thai. Really struggling to come up with some imaginative Thai bashing, yes? Name the politics, and politicians, of one country that the media does not usually treat as laughable.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Suradit69

[Raspberry]

Self absorption is everywhere, not blaming Thailand. Many countries are alike. While there are foreign language articles outside in foreign media here and there, there really isn't that many considering the Protest to be a life changing sort of thing for many Thais. Yes, it pops up once in a while so far. For the last year or so, I've searched and searched, and always ended up reading the Bangkok Post and Nation which...well, let's not go there, but they were my only sources.

Thailand won't let outsiders report what they want to report. The stories of Thai politics from say 2000's remain secretive because of laws like lese majeste. What is reported is the bickering between the parties and politicians. I think Western media see that as cat fights or family feuds, not worthy of news. Instead world news that have regularly popped up on American news like CNN, NPR, ABC, etc. are middle east stories, North Korean stories, European stories. Thai political stories sometimes even are the butt of jokes.

"Thai political stories sometimes even are the butt of jokes."

Rather a pathetic attempt on your part to make it seem that media coverage of Thai political theater is different from any other country in the world.

Politics everywhere is treated as a joke by the media ... mainly because it is a joke, and nowhere more of a slapstick farce than in the "important" western countries.

"I think Western media see that as cat fights or family feuds, not worthy of news. "

Based on nothing more than your childish wish to put down everything Thai. Really struggling to come up with some imaginative Thai bashing, yes? Name the politics, and politicians, of one country that the media does not usually treat as laughable.

First, sorry if I picked on Thailand. But, that's what I meant about self absorption is everywhere, every country it seems. Whatever country X always feels that the world is watching, yes, they are watching, but no they aren't watching that closely (the general population). If I'm in country X, and I"m an average citizen, I may hear a thing or two about country Y on the news, but I don't really care to know in detail. It is not that important.

About your political caricature, yes, I've seen that. But no, I have not seen a political caricature of Thai politicians in foreign newspaper. Most foreign readers won't get it. ...Anyhow.

Lastly, you're correct. I always find myself struggling to be imaginative. Honestly, that is the truth.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Raspberry

[tingtongteesood]

Those cartoons are very funny ! But if you try and do that in Thailand then people try to sue you. Very sad. That law is among many that need changing...