Foreign media strive to avoid simplistic portrayal of Thai woes

[webfact]

Foreign media strive to avoid simplistic portrayal of Thai woes
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation


From left: Larry Jagan and Marwaan Macan-Markar.

Try to explain more complex political process, poll disruption

How do the representatives of foreign media view Thailand's political crisis after the incomplete February 2 general election?

Larry Jagan, a Bangkok-based freelance correspondent, said: "One of the things foreign and Western journalists are concerned about is to try to understand the dynamics of Thai politics, but in many ways when we talk to a foreign audience it's very easy to paint the picture in black and white, the good guys and the bad guys.

"Reporting in our own country for our audience, of course, they understand the complexity of society and issues, but in a country like Thailand the political process is more complex than the more homogenous Western societies. So it's much more difficult for the foreign audience to understand.

"We have to simplify, and one easy way is to find the black and white. There is also a real risk of oversimplification. We also want to make authorities accountable and transparent, so there is a natural tendency for Western journalists to be sympathetic with the opposition in Parliament or on the street.

"We have also seen the government and the protest movement battling each other for democracy, as both claim to be democratic. In a democracy, elections are very important, but there are also issues of rights and protection of minorities and others, but they have been forgotten in this process.

"It's a mistake for the Suthep [Thaugsuban] movement to say, 'If an election is held, we will lose it and therefore we have to oppose it.' The Democrats have the right to boycott the election if they think it will be fraudulent, but trying to prevent people from voting or prevent the distribution of ballots or block the polling stations, that was a mistake.

"That's easily seen as undemocratic, as it does not allow the other side their rights."

Marwaan Macan-Markar, former president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, said: "Western media organisations generally have their own audiences in mind and they share what I call international values, which can't negotiate about elections.

"When Khun Suthep began the protest movement following the outrageous way of the government pushing through the amnesty bill, he tapped anger on the street, not only targeted at government abuse but also mushroomed into anti-corruption.

"November was a wonderful month for democracy because you had a government that was painted in a dark light, and it's natural for people to get on the street. That moment was easy to tell from the perspective of international media values.

"Government abuse, public anger, the black and white, perfect the legitimate rage, but Khun Suthep later turned that into a crusade to overthrow the government. "This challenged the storyline.

"Khun Suthep should have celebrated on December 9 when Yingluck [shinawatra, the prime minister] dissolved the House, which was almost a retreat."

But over the next 60 days after that, Macan-Markar recalled, "the rice-pledging scheme has become a politically explosive issue against the government. Had the Democrat Party not boycotted the February 2 election, and along [with] the Suthep anti-corruption movement, the party could have made further inroads and won more than the 160 seats it previously had and probably could [have formed] a new coalition government."


-- The Nation 2014-02-15

[mightyatom]

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

[GeorgeO]

The fact of the matter is that foreign media correspondents continue to place the focus solely on what they see as the 'undemocratic' issue of the opposition not wanting to partake in elections until reforms had been put in place to ensure that such elections were free and fair. As a result, they have failed to outline the numerous infractions of this government to the outside world.

Many overseas observers are well aware that Thaksin is a convicted person who cannot return to Thailand, but they are fed additional suggestions by the foreign media that the convictions against him "may have been" politically motivated, which is pure nonsense. He was convicted fairly and squarely for fraudulent actions whilst in office.

They also paint a picture of his sister being a good prime minister, which of course, is far from true. I think they should place emphasis on the fact that she has neither the background nor the training for the role, and that in fact, Thailand is currently being run by the convict in exile. Greater emphasis should also be placed on the missing billions during the PTP tenure, focusing particularly on the NACC probe, which is likely to see Yingluck impeached, and probably, imprisoned.

Jonathan Head is an embarrassment to us, as he can see no further then the nose on his face. If the outside world were provided with the full details of the rape and pillage of this country during the PTP tenure, then perhaps there would be less sympathy for Yingluck, a little more sympathy for the impact that it has had on the grass roots people of Thailand, and perhaps a little more than a suggestion for more women in politics from the UN...!!

[GeorgeO]

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

This once again demonstrates the narrow vision of the foreign media. They probably don't even realise how much they distort the actual picture to the rest of the world.

[NongKhaiKid]

Like many posters I have family and friends all over the world and all say Thailand doesn't feature on their news reports and the only information is via the internet and that's not too extensive.

Are Thais really obsessed at being in the world' eye because if they are they couldn't have picked a worse reason for being so ?

Remember foreign investors and tourists are watching.

[Yunla]

If anything the media are making the situation look more complicated than it is.

It boils down to a very simple concept called "crime and punishment" and how sadly we see a lot of the former but not enough of the latter. That is the root cause of the problems, and it is as simple as it gets. There is no deterrent for politicians if they feel they can commit crimes and then pay their way out, leave the country, choose to delay their trials, or just issue amnesty on everyone. Obviously most nations have disparity between classes when it comes to justice, the rich and powerful always have a stronger hand in surviving the legal process. But in Thailand the disparity is enormous.

But the actual party policy disagreements are not a problem, they are normal democratic wheat/straw work, and can be resolved by debating issues to a near-consensus nexus point in Parliament. The problem is that state level crime is unpunished, that whole sphere is almost unregulated and so politicians do not fear repercussions and feel they can act in criminal ways, which then enrage the public and lead to physical protests, which in turn are hijacked by the same crooked political-sphere players who caused the problems to begin with.

Edited February 15, 2014 by Yunla

[khunsiam]

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

the PDRC is mainly the PADocrat faction of the Democrats

[GeorgeO]

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

the PDRC is mainly the PADocrat faction of the Democrats

Thank you for that very insightful contribution to a debate which was actually proceeding quite well...!!

[PaullyW]

Thais want the world to take them so seriously and they truly believe their society is so complicated. Come on man. They are among the most simple people I've encountered. Like children really which I admit is a good thing in some regards.

The country is not democratic. It's feudal as others have mentioned.

Morality is low. Education is low.

People don't follow values. Instead, they follow their clan leader. This is why it SEEMS so complicated. Most people are uneducated, low moral people of no values they understand other than 'follow the leader' and whatever conflicting things are said from day to day.

Easy.

[khunsiam]

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

the PDRC is mainly the PADocrat faction of the Democrats

Thank you for that very insightful contribution to a debate which was actually proceeding quite well...!!

just to say that most western media that I follow are telling it as it is and making it very clear for people to understand what it's all about and who is on the stages of the protest and who is behind it all.

[lemonjelly]

Too much opinion and not enough facts from Larry.

[englishoak]

The fact of the matter is that foreign media correspondents continue to place the focus solely on what they see as the 'undemocratic' issue of the opposition not wanting to partake in elections until reforms had been put in place to ensure that such elections were free and fair. As a result, they have failed to outline the numerous infractions of this government to the outside world.

Many overseas observers are well aware that Thaksin is a convicted person who cannot return to Thailand, but they are fed additional suggestions by the foreign media that the convictions against him "may have been" politically motivated, which is pure nonsense. He was convicted fairly and squarely for fraudulent actions whilst in office.

They also paint a picture of his sister being a good prime minister, which of course, is far from true. I think they should place emphasis on the fact that she has neither the background nor the training for the role, and that in fact, Thailand is currently being run by the convict in exile. Greater emphasis should also be placed on the missing billions during the PTP tenure, focusing particularly on the NACC probe, which is likely to see Yingluck impeached, and probably, imprisoned.

Jonathan Head is an embarrassment to us, as he can see no further then the nose on his face. If the outside world were provided with the full details of the rape and pillage of this country during the PTP tenure, then perhaps there would be less sympathy for Yingluck, a little more sympathy for the impact that it has had on the grass roots people of Thailand, and perhaps a little more than a suggestion for more women in politics from the UN...!!

Everything here is politically motivated and manipulated George, be it real corruption or an anti democratic attempt to install a peoples council. its really not complicated other than the fact there are factions and people that cannot be discussed by law here to fill in the details.

It really is simply the rich few and unelectable just demanding they control the majority because they cant do it democratically. Nothing complicated about the basics of it.

No need for sympathy because the system allowed it to happen due to the many coups and instability of governments over the past 80 years. That people here think the rest of the world dosnt get it just goes to show the effect of draconian laws here on the psyche. They get it pretty well at the basic level everyone else isnt wrong m8 its the ones here with blinkers on turned inwards that dont get it... the rest of the world does.

[MaxLee]

Well I've got one word for you:

Thai politics and business is mostly about white-black lying and save face by all means...

[noitom]

tripe content. Thailand politics is "more complex" than the more "homogenous" Western countries. Nonsense. Where does he get this notion?

[Blackmirage2013]

Not a bad article, but here is the main point:

If you do not agree with Suthep's approach of boycotting the elections and trying to block people from participating, what is YOUR solution?

I don't like it, but I can't come up with a better way. It is easy to CRITICISE others when they do things that seem "wrong" or unethical, but given the situation, what is the option?

For those who say follow the peace process or negotiate, yes, in theory that is right. But theory is academic. We live in the real world.

Give us a workable solution then I think everyone, including ole' Suthep would listen.

Edited February 15, 2014 by Blackmirage2013

[noitom]

The fact of the matter is that foreign media correspondents continue to place the focus solely on what they see as the 'undemocratic' issue of the opposition not wanting to partake in elections until reforms had been put in place to ensure that such elections were free and fair. As a result, they have failed to outline the numerous infractions of this government to the outside world.

Many overseas observers are well aware that Thaksin is a convicted person who cannot return to Thailand, but they are fed additional suggestions by the foreign media that the convictions against him "may have been" politically motivated, which is pure nonsense. He was convicted fairly and squarely for fraudulent actions whilst in office.

They also paint a picture of his sister being a good prime minister, which of course, is far from true. I think they should place emphasis on the fact that she has neither the background nor the training for the role, and that in fact, Thailand is currently being run by the convict in exile. Greater emphasis should also be placed on the missing billions during the PTP tenure, focusing particularly on the NACC probe, which is likely to see Yingluck impeached, and probably, imprisoned.

Jonathan Head is an embarrassment to us, as he can see no further then the nose on his face. If the outside world were provided with the full details of the rape and pillage of this country during the PTP tenure, then perhaps there would be less sympathy for Yingluck, a little more sympathy for the impact that it has had on the grass roots people of Thailand, and perhaps a little more than a suggestion for more women in politics from the UN...!!

Sorry, plunder of Thailand was going on for decades well before the Thaksins. Try reading Chris Baker's Jungle Book and other sources.

[PaullyW]

tripe content. Thailand politics is "more complex" than the more "homogenous" Western countries. Nonsense. Where does he get this notion?

These foreigners who have been in Thailand too long most of time KNOW that in order to be listened to by Thais, it is a requirement that they say whatever the majority of Thai people would expect them to say. 9 times out of 10, you can safely ignore them as their opinions are simply ridiculous and totally detached from reality. However, many of the most successful farangs in Thailand have learned this trick. It's one of the cornerstone traits that one should adopt to be endeared to the Thais.

To everyone else, it looks rather pathetic.

[Somtamnication]

Vewy vewy simple...... It is two feudal families fighting for their rice bowl.

That is it.... Pure and vewy simple.

[Blackmirage2013]

Vewy vewy simple...... It is two feudal families fighting for their rice bowl.

That is it.... Pure and vewy simple.

Fighting over their rice bowl?!!!

They should go look at the warehouses and they will find thousands of tons of jasmine rice rotting away, waiting to be eaten.... fight there!!!!

lols

[GeorgeO]

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

the PDRC is mainly the PADocrat faction of the Democrats

Thank you for that very insightful contribution to a debate which was actually proceeding quite well...!!

just to say that most western media that I follow are telling it as it is and making it very clear for people to understand what it's all about and who is on the stages of the protest and who is behind it all.

Really? Then please let me know where the substance is in yesterday's WSJ report:

http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-455106/

It shows Chalerm as a calm, affable individual with a desire to negotiate....???!!!

There is no mention whatsoever of the fraudulent activities that have actually given rise to the current situation in Thailand, nor is there any mention of the rice fiasco and the disturbance that may potentially occur when the farmers reach Government House on Monday and are asked to accept down-payments on the money that they are due...!

The foreign media outlets are currently making fools of themselves. If they fail to report each and every one of the issues that have given rise to the current crisis, then they are demonstrating selective reporting, which is of no use or interest to anyone...!!

[LeamchabangLarry]

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

This once again demonstrates the narrow vision of the foreign media. They probably don't even realise how much they distort the actual picture to the rest of the world.

Remember that dumba$$ CNN idiot Dan Rivers? That fool just mailed in his reporting without a single care of the actual issues at hand.

Yes, the word democracy is thrown around conveniently but at least they are trying to dig deeper this time around.

And I for one am glad we kicked that idiot Dan Rivers so far out of this country he's nowhere to be seen

[GeorgeO]

The fact of the matter is that foreign media correspondents continue to place the focus solely on what they see as the 'undemocratic' issue of the opposition not wanting to partake in elections until reforms had been put in place to ensure that such elections were free and fair. As a result, they have failed to outline the numerous infractions of this government to the outside world.

Many overseas observers are well aware that Thaksin is a convicted person who cannot return to Thailand, but they are fed additional suggestions by the foreign media that the convictions against him "may have been" politically motivated, which is pure nonsense. He was convicted fairly and squarely for fraudulent actions whilst in office.

They also paint a picture of his sister being a good prime minister, which of course, is far from true. I think they should place emphasis on the fact that she has neither the background nor the training for the role, and that in fact, Thailand is currently being run by the convict in exile. Greater emphasis should also be placed on the missing billions during the PTP tenure, focusing particularly on the NACC probe, which is likely to see Yingluck impeached, and probably, imprisoned.

Jonathan Head is an embarrassment to us, as he can see no further then the nose on his face. If the outside world were provided with the full details of the rape and pillage of this country during the PTP tenure, then perhaps there would be less sympathy for Yingluck, a little more sympathy for the impact that it has had on the grass roots people of Thailand, and perhaps a little more than a suggestion for more women in politics from the UN...!!

Sorry, plunder of Thailand was going on for decades well before the Thaksins. Try reading Chris Baker's Jungle Book and other sources.

Of course it was, but that doesn't mean to say that since it's always been that way, it should be allowed to continue...!

I've heard intelligent people here in Thailand commenting that "Thaksin may be bad, but you should have seen those that were there before him"...! <deleted>? So, he's only 90% as bad as those before him, so that's alright then...?!

What we have had in the interim period is what's referred to as social development, recognition that such activities have to come to an end, and that is where we currently stand in Thailand. What is happening right now is an effort to bring to an end this acceptance of the plundering of Thai coffers.

Thai people need to be aware that their obvious acceptance of corruption in the past has been the very reason why they are so worse off today, and then perhaps there will be a desire to ensure that there are checks and balances in place to ensure that no politicians are allowed to rob the nation of its wealth in the future.

Edited February 15, 2014 by GeorgeO

[seajae]

when you read on the ABC report that thaksin is a self exiled ex pm set up by the courts and loved by all the people you really have to wonder just how independant they are. When you see pics of protesters only and never the reds or how the reds were the victims because they were protecting democracy knowing full well they are simply thaksins malitia again you have to wonder. As long as thaksin has his paid lackies doing the reporting/stories the bullsh*t will continue, where are the so called independant reporters as they do not seem to be here at all. For once I would like to read facts not fiction, the truth on the rice scheme, the water scheme, the trillion baht loan etc but the press will not be honest as they want to stay in favour with the ptp/thaksin. They should report the whole truth whether it is anti protester or anti ptp with no bias for either side, the truth is what is important, I am sick of the innuendo and lies foreign news agencies put out.

[LomSak27]

Posted Today, 06:18

Foreign media strive to avoid simplistic portrayal of Thai woes

Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

The Nation

Well sure - Its simplistic if it does not tow the PDRC, Dems, Yellows, party line as disseminated by their media division AKA:

THE NATION

[khunsiam]

the PDRC is mainly the PADocrat faction of the Democrats

Thank you for that very insightful contribution to a debate which was actually proceeding quite well...!!

just to say that most western media that I follow are telling it as it is and making it very clear for people to understand what it's all about and who is on the stages of the protest and who is behind it all.

Really? Then please let me know where the substance is in yesterday's WSJ report:

http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-455106/

It shows Chalerm as a calm, affable individual with a desire to negotiate....???!!!

There is no mention whatsoever of the fraudulent activities that have actually given rise to the current situation in Thailand, nor is there any mention of the rice fiasco and the disturbance that may potentially occur when the farmers reach Government House on Monday and are asked to accept down-payments on the money that they are due...!

The foreign media outlets are currently making fools of themselves. If they fail to report each and every one of the issues that have given rise to the current crisis, then they are demonstrating selective reporting, which is of no use or interest to anyone...!!

no, Chalerm is not portrayed as such, he is not portrayed at all, that's just your perception. "Most western media": European news channels and french, dutch, german papers included.

[kerrysum]

The fact of the matter is that foreign media correspondents continue to place the focus solely on what they see as the 'undemocratic' issue of the opposition not wanting to partake in elections until reforms had been put in place to ensure that such elections were free and fair. As a result, they have failed to outline the numerous infractions of this government to the outside world.

Many overseas observers are well aware that Thaksin is a convicted person who cannot return to Thailand, but they are fed additional suggestions by the foreign media that the convictions against him "may have been" politically motivated, which is pure nonsense. He was convicted fairly and squarely for fraudulent actions whilst in office.

They also paint a picture of his sister being a good prime minister, which of course, is far from true. I think they should place emphasis on the fact that she has neither the background nor the training for the role, and that in fact, Thailand is currently being run by the convict in exile. Greater emphasis should also be placed on the missing billions during the PTP tenure, focusing particularly on the NACC probe, which is likely to see Yingluck impeached, and probably, imprisoned.

Jonathan Head is an embarrassment to us, as he can see no further then the nose on his face. If the outside world were provided with the full details of the rape and pillage of this country during the PTP tenure, then perhaps there would be less sympathy for Yingluck, a little more sympathy for the impact that it has had on the grass roots people of Thailand, and perhaps a little more than a suggestion for more women in politics from the UN...!!

HMMMMMM.... But isn't saying the Dems are the PDRC over-simplifying the issue to the point of distortion?

The democrats and the PDRC are totally different and don't even totally agree on a lot of issues.

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

This once again demonstrates the narrow vision of the foreign media. They probably don't even realise how much they distort the actual picture to the rest of the world.

I agree with you both...... Can't say much more than what you have said......

kilosierra........

[Yunla]

I've heard intelligent people here in Thailand commenting that "Thaksin may be bad, but you should have seen those that were there before him"...! <deleted>? So, he's only 90% as bad as those before him, so that's alright then...?!

Yes, the choice between a big pile of **** versus a slightly smaller pile of **** is no choice at all, unless you are growing roses.

[GeorgeO]

just to say that most western media that I follow are telling it as it is and making it very clear for people to understand what it's all about and who is on the stages of the protest and who is behind it all.

Really? Then please let me know where the substance is in yesterday's WSJ report:

http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-455106/

It shows Chalerm as a calm, affable individual with a desire to negotiate....???!!!

There is no mention whatsoever of the fraudulent activities that have actually given rise to the current situation in Thailand, nor is there any mention of the rice fiasco and the disturbance that may potentially occur when the farmers reach Government House on Monday and are asked to accept down-payments on the money that they are due...!

The foreign media outlets are currently making fools of themselves. If they fail to report each and every one of the issues that have given rise to the current crisis, then they are demonstrating selective reporting, which is of no use or interest to anyone...!!

no, Chalerm is not portrayed as such, he is not portrayed at all, that's just your perception. "Most western media": European news channels and french, dutch, german papers included.

...or perhaps its your perception that he is not portrayed in a good light, because you don't see the dark side of him...!

[LivinLOS]

I think you need to explain that the Dems never once voiced support for the blocking of the election. They just didn't agree with it.

The leader of the Democrat party didnt vote and called the election unconstitutional...

How much more support do you expect them to give ??

[Publicus]

just to say that most western media that I follow are telling it as it is and making it very clear for people to understand what it's all about and who is on the stages of the protest and who is behind it all.

Yes, and as I think you and others very likely appreciate, that's called doing one's job.

All of the paradoxes of the current chaos immediately became apparent and clear to foreign media from the democracies when Suthep and his mobs camped at Democracy Monument. Western media especially went there like the proverbial moth to the flame, in full anticipation of meeting the Thai Nelson Mandela, the Thai Aung San Suu Kyi.

Then media found out the "absolute" democracy the Thai cogniscenti wanted is an anonymous appointed "People's Council" with an unknown blank check/cheque slate of "reforms" implementation of which required a forceful driving out of the legitimately elected democratic government and the undemocratic installation forever of the mob's proxies.Western media quickly and shockingly learned who the revolting masses were, and exactly and precisely what they are about.

You can fool some of the people some of the time, but no one can fool any Western media any time at all with the PCAD's trail of buffalo dung. It instantly doesn't pass any smell test of any kind. No Western journalist needs to look any further than that to get the scent of the fundamental core of the story - the people on either side, their vital issues, the deep background that motivates everyone for one reason or another, in one direction or the other.

The one thing demanded by the editor whether it be in Tokyo, New York, London - where ever - is a coherent and intelligible body of information s/he can go with in the upcoming news cycle. And if there's a pool you're prohibited diving into then sit on the edge of it and dip your toe so that soon you can get both feet in, cause next time you're really gonna raise a big splash and maybe win a prize.

And talking about "media' is much akin to talking about "Africa", as if it mass media were a monolith instead of the varied, diverse multiplicity of organizations and message specific platforms that comprise not only journalism, but civil society organizations that publish regularly, such as the private, non-profit Council on Foreign Relations in NYC since 1921, among many dozens of others in many countries in many languages and which have a proliferation of political perspectives, market audiences and values and so much more..That however is in itself the deserving topic of a real stemwinder of a post.. , .

tripe content. Thailand politics is "more complex" than the more "homogenous" Western countries. Nonsense. Where does he get this notion?

You know and virtually everyone knows he's Thai - end of story basically and fundamentally. Hell, in China the Chinese loved to say to us the Chinese are "complex." I'd just look 'em in the eye and tell 'em they've been a miserable continuous dictatorship for 2500 years, period. They of course didn't appreciate my perspective, to understate the matter, so then I'd tell 'em they hate democracy without knowing the first thing about it, that there's nothing complex about being globally sub-cultural, politically ancient, socially primitive - not to mention irridentist and revanchist..