TRT Targeted For Dissolution

[Tony Clifton]

Is this part of TRT's reconciliation plan?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Is this part of TRT's reconciliation plan?

:D

[hammered]

Is this part of TRT's reconciliation plan?

With a few obvious exceptions (Yuth, Newin, Sudarat possibly, Chatchuron possibly etc) most of those left in the rump TRT owe their position and power and influence totally to the Thaksin organized phenomenon. Those who had their own base of support have left TRT already knowing they can get back into parliamant whatever party they are in. Without Thaksin most of the others become nothing and lose their power. They will obviously not give up without a big fight. For these people national reconcilliation without Thaksin results in their demise, so why would they pay more than lip service to it? In the coming months unfortunately there are a lot of areas of potential conflict, and unless the current government improves on its fumbling and seemingly divided approach on governing the country these old power elements will have more and more opportunities. We could well be living in interesting times somewhat along the lines of the old Chinese curse if level heads do not prevail.

[Artisan]

TRT targetted for dissolution!!!! I read in the Bangkok Post this morning that they are preparing their campaign for the general election later this year!!!

[John K]

CNS to prosecute Chaturon for visiting Issan

Council for National Security (CNS) will prosecute Chaturon Chaisang, acting leader of Thai Rak Thai Party, for violating a ban on political activities.

Chaturon violated the ban by making a visit to the northeastern provinces to meet with supporters, a CNS spokeswoman said.

The junta decided Tuesday that his trip violated bans on political activities imposed shortly after the military ousted Thaksin in a bloodless coup in September, she said.

"He will be prosecuted for disobeying an official order. All of his activities, including meetings with students and discussions on Thai Rak Thai policies, are political activities."

Chaturon has said he informed the junta of his trip last week, but the junta denied he had told them of his travel plans.

The spokeswoman did not say what the penalty would be for violating the ban.

Chaturon took the reins of TRT after the coup as scores of top-level members defected from the once-mighty party.

TRT has enjoyed broad support in northern Thailand, where Thaksin's populist policies boosted rural incomes and helped pull farmers out of poverty. He is planning to visit northern provinces in the near future.

The junta has refused to lift its ban on political activities more than five months after the coup, even as Thailand is supposed to be preparing for a referendum on a new constitution and elections later this year.

All of the country's major parties have urged the junta to lift the ban so that they can take part in ongoing talks on drafting a new constitution.

The Nation

[blaze]

CNS to prosecute Chaturon for visiting Issan

TRT has enjoyed broad support in northern Thailand, where Thaksin's populist policies boosted rural incomes and helped pull farmers out of poverty.

The Nation

Quite a remarkable statement, considering the source.

[John K]

Decision looms on Thaksin giving

The Constitution Tribunal will decide tomorrow whether to call former Thai Rak Thai Party leader and premier Thaksin Shinawatra to testify and whether to include Democrat executive Suwaroj Palang as a witness in a major electoral fraud case.

Besides Thaksin, Thai Rak Thai's acting leader Chaturon Chaisang, former executives Pongthep Thepkanjana and Prommin Lertsuridej are due to testify in the court next Tuesday.

Pongthep said the party filed defence documents to the court last Friday, and it was eager to know if the Attorney-General or Tribunal would want to ask Thaksin more questions, so it could prepare for him to visit - or appear via video conference.

Testifying by video could be costly and ineffective but travel by Thaksin could also be difficult, Pongthep said. If time was tight, he would ask the Tribunal to delay Thaksin's testimony till next week.

The seventh hearing in the election fraud case against Thai Rak Thai went smoothly yesterday, despite a defence protest against former Election Commission (EC) chairman Vasana Puemlarp, who was among the witnesses.

Vasana questioned how the investigation report from the EC panel chaired by Nam Yimyaem, classed as "Confidential", had got to the media's hands on May 8 last year. He said that when the report was completed, the Nam panel's deputy secretary, Komet Pratheep-thong, gave him a copy and Nam another one. He received his copy at 5pm, but the media had already posted it on their home pages at 3pm.

Komet told the Tribunal Nam signed the report at 5pm and it was still with him unsigned at 3pm. He said Vasana and Nam received a copy of the report but he did not know how the media got a copy.

The copy released on the websites was already signed by Nam.

During last year's political crisis, Vasana and EC members faced protests for alleged bias.

The Nam committee found Thai Rak Thai and Thaksin Shinawatra, as its leader, guilty of election fraud.

Nam and Vasana were in conflict over the investigation. Vasana called for further digging, including questioning more witnesses but Nam said his report was complete.

Vasana told the Tribunal he ordered members of Nam's panel to probe more but Nam refused.

The panel then investigated witnesses accused of being close to Thai Rak Thai executives and of hiring candidates from small parties. Nam had earlier claimed they refused to testify, Vasana said.

Although Vasana saw no clear evidence Thaksin and TRT chiefs were involved, he left it to the Attorney-General to decide on.

Nam said yesterday he had followed the law in the probe and acted fairly.

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

[sriracha john]

CNS sets its sights on Chaturon

Faces legal action for upcountry 'activities'

Mr Chaturon and a few Thai Rak Thai executives contended that they were on personal trips aimed at following up projects started during the government of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Election Commission (EC), as the registrar of political parties, will issue a warning to Mr Chaturon and other Thai Rak Thai figures engaging in what could be seen as political campaigns upcountry. If they do not stop, the EC will ask the Constitution Tribunal through the attorney-general to dissolve the party. If the dissolution goes through, Mr Chaturon, as the acting party leader, will also be suspended from politics for five years, Col Sansern said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Feb2007_news01.php

[sriracha john]

Nam insists Thai Rak Thai bankrolled smaller parties

Nam Yimyaem, who formerly headed the Election Commission (EC) panel probing alleged election fraud by five political parties, yesterday told the Constitution Tribunal that Thai Rak Thai executives had bankrolled two smaller parties to field candidates in the April 2 elections last year. Former EC chairman Pol Gen Wasana Permlarp, who also testified before the tribunal, said his commission did not take action against then Thai Rak Thai leader, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, because there was no proof of his involvement. Mr Nam said former deputy party leader Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya and former deputy secretary-general Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, had given financial support to the little-known Pattana Chart Thai and Phaendin Thai parties.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Feb2007_news05.php

[Tony Clifton]

PTV 'to employ same methods as ASTV but not biased'

PTV co-founder Jatuporn Promphan says the fact that anti-Thaksin media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul’s banned ASTV has been allowed to broadcast via the state-run Channel 11 is the major catalyst for his station being established.

Jatuporn Promphan, co-founder of the controversial People's Television (PTV), talks to The Nation's Sucheera Pinijparakarn about the new satellite-based station that has defied the authorities' order not to start broadcasting tomorrow, as planned.

Jatuporn and co-founder Veera Musigapong have quit executive positions in Thai Rak Thai but remain party members.

What's the real intention behind the founding of PTV?

When the government asked all media owners to tone down their reporting, it was an intervention into the people's right to know.

I understand those mass media but we [the co-founders] think the people should have the right to know, especially about information they haven't heard.

So, we agreed that we should start a new TV station to offer a choice to the public. We will report the facts from all angles.

This TV set-up was just an idea until Sondhi Limthongkul's ASTV was allowed to broadcast via Channel 11 of the Public Relations Department (PRD). That was the major catalyst for PTV's establishment.

Was PTV set up to counterattack ASTV?

Yes. I have never seen a plaintiff defend an accused before. PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan made an arbitrary decision to approve Sondhi's talk show [on Channel 11] even though the government's PRD is in litigation at the Supreme Administrative Court to shut down ASTV.

Sondhi's talk show is biased. It was unacceptable when the PM's Office minister effectively guaranteed Sondhi [to go ahead]. PTV should be given the same chance by the government too. *PTV NEVER APPLIED FOR A LICENCE, ASTV WAS DENIED ONE UNDER THAKSIN

PTV will employ the same methods as ASTV has done, which is to put its programmes on the Internet and broadcast via satellite. But we will not be biased like them.

Do you think ASTV is run illegally?

If ASTV is operating against the law, why have they been allowed to broadcast via a channel belonging to the PRD, who has sued them?

I believe the ASTV will argue in court that the PRD has effectively endorsed them by allowing them to broadcast via a PRD station.

*HE DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION

Is PTV owned by the Thai Rak Thai Party?

No. People may not believe what I say. People know Veera [Musigapong, the station's president] and me are from the TRT, and we have always defended the party for a long time. It's like our trademark. But time will tell. Many politicians have entered the TV business, but why weren't they criticised like us?

Will PTV create disharmony in the country?

No matter whether PTV will be allowed to operate or not, there is no reconciliation in the country.But I can say that PTV will not stir up trouble.

Even though we are likely to oppose the junta because they seized power from the Thai Rak Thai government, I insist that our TV won't create disharmony.

Nonetheless, the Council for National Security and the government are not untouchable. They have to be investigated by the media and PTV will report on the junta's performance to the audience. PTV won't try to oust the CNS and the government - we will just act as media.

What content will be provided by PTV?

PTV is a news station, so we will tell the truth. We will report the facts with no bias. People will see for themselves from our programmes.

Peuan Pong Nong Phi Co [the company that operates PTV] isn't yours, is it?

No, it's not mine. The company was founded in 2002 by a group of Ramkhamhaeng University students who were my juniors in the school. The company then produced print media. When we decided to start the new TV station, we found that it would take a long process to register a new company, so I asked the company's founders to help set up the new station and they agreed.

The company previously had registered capital of Bt5 million, and we have increased the capital to Bt50 million this year. Now, we [the former TRT men] have become the major shareholders.

Where does the capital come from?

We have no big capitalist to support us financially. The money comes from our brotherly friends.

I admit that I have no money, so I borrowed from friends and promised to pay them back when the company makes a profit.

Also, some of PTV's executives are businessmen, so we had no need to ask for TRT funding. However, we will also raise funds from the public.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/28...cs_30028066.php

[John K]

Bungee Jumping.

Check list:

100 foot tall tower

50 yards of bungee cord.

[sriracha john]

BREAKING NEWS

Chaturon cancels trip to North

Thai Rak Thai party leader Chaturon Chaisaeng Wednesday canceled his trip to visit supporters in the Northern region, after Council for National Security had resolved to take legal action against him Tuesday. He said he decided to call off his personal trip, scheduled for this coming Saturday and Sunday, so that the CNS and the government would be at ease. "My action doesn't violate the law of the country and the announcements of CDR (currently the CNS)...But I will cancel the trip so the CNS and the government wouldn't waste their time solving major problems of the nation," Mr Jaturon told reporters during a press conference. He also confirmed about his innocence since the Sep 19 coup. "What I and the party members have done since Sep 19 till now does not violate the CDR's announcements," he said. Gen Sonthi confirmed that Mr Chaturon would face legal action if authorities found that his trips violate the announcements as CNS's decision is based on the rule of law.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117120

[sriracha john]

PTV transmission tension

Uncertainty clouded the launch today of controversial new broadcaster PTV - People's Television - after it encountered technical problems yesterday.

PTV co-founder Veera Musigapong said yesterday a test broadcast had failed because CAT Telecom refused to link its signal with satellites.

The station management is demanding an explanation. "Our legal staff and station director Natthawut Sai-kua will ask for an explanation from the Public Relations Department," he said.

Veera said PTV had no problems with the department. But he accused Thirapat Serirangsan, Prime Minister's Office Minister with responsibility for the department, of double standards, citing recent developments with ASTV.

Authorities had earlier threatened to take legal action against PTV if it continued with its broadcast schedule.

Veera said the station was prepared for today's scheduled launch, both in terms of personnel and equipment.

He added station executives were confident PTV would start airing programmes today as planned.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

PTV newsmen barred. A PTV car is stopped outside Government House yesterday. Six PTV newsmen were refused press passes on the grounds they had not yet been accredited.

The Nation Photos in the News

[sriracha john]

Chaturon continues to protest innocence over trip

Thai Rak Thai Party caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang continues to deny he violated a junta ban on political activity by visiting Northeast provinces last weekend.

Chaturon called a news conference to deny allegations he had engaged in politics. He denied he had deliberately violated the ban to seek public sympathy.

The Council for National Security (CNS) intends to prosecute Chaturon for alleged breach of two orders made immediately after the September coup.

Chaturon said he would fight the charges.

He has cancelled a planned visit to the North this weekend. The former deputy prime minister insisted his trip was in response to invitations to visit a herbal garden and deliver a speech.

He vows to make more journeys to the provinces, arguing they are not challenges to the CNS but an exercise of his rights in accordance with the interim constitution.

"The CNS does not have the authority to stop one from visiting the provinces or abroad,'' he said.

Chaturon criticised the CNS for discrimination, saying it appeared to take action only against himself and the Thai Rak Thai.

"I am not asking why don't they take action against other parties. I am only asking why only me and my party,'' he said.

Leading party members Pongthep Thepkanchana and Pongpol Adireksarn joined Chaturon at the news conference.

CNS chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin does not believe Chaturon intentionally violated the ban or was attempting to generate conflict. However, if Chaturon breaks the law he must face legal action, he said.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said Chaturon's actions were inappropriate.

"Chaturon should keep quiet for a while and wait until the constitution is complete,'' he said.

Banharn opposes calls to scrap the political ban, calling for caution until "political undercurrents have died down". He accused Chaturon of launching a political campaign and disguising it as a personal matter. "This is a directly political matter,'' he said.

In addition, Banharn suggested the Anti-Money Laundering Office investigate funding of between Bt50 million and Bt100 million for rebel broadcaster PTV, or People's Television.

"The previous government used AMLO to check assets of the Nation Group. This government has not used AMLO [to crack down on opponents],'' he said.

- The Nation

============================================================

No word yet on whether this is the type of "herbal garden" that Chaturon has in mind for his visit, but judging by his actions, it may very well be.

[sriracha john]

PTV due to start operating today, but lacks satellite slot

PTV has everything it needs to go to air today, such as studios, staff and equipment _ but still lacks a satellite slot. Veera Musikapong, chairman of Poengpong Nongpee, the firm which runs PTV, said yesterday CAT Telecom had yet to release a satellite slot for the station, so it may not go on air at 9am as scheduled. Mr Veera admitted he had been in contact with Mr Thaksin, who gave him moral support in the PTV operation. But he denied receiving financial support from the former Thai Rak Thai leader. A PTV news crew was denied access to Government House after it failed to produce ID cards for news correspondents, issued by Government House, and the company's ID cards.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Mar2007_news07.php

[Tony Clifton]

Did not bother applying for a broadcast license, did not bother getting their reporters accredited. How professional.

[jumnien]

The OP referred to "TRT targeted for dissolution". After 287 posts isn't it time for all of us to admit it's "DEMOCRACY TARGETED FOR DISSOLUTION"?

[John K]

The OP referred to "TRT targeted for dissolution". After 287 posts isn't it time for all of us to admit it's "DEMOCRACY TARGETED FOR DISSOLUTION"?

The more I look at it the more it appears the TRT was a carefully crafted facade to have the appearance of democracy, but in actuality it was a tool used to gather power and wealth and to only make changes to secure that goal. The fact that Thaksin listened to noone and was transparent as a piece of lead support that, and the TRT supported him as they saw he knew how to make things happen in their favor.

[jumnien]

The OP referred to "TRT targeted for dissolution". After 287 posts isn't it time for all of us to admit it's "DEMOCRACY TARGETED FOR DISSOLUTION"?

The more I look at it the more it appears the TRT was a carefully crafted facade to have the appearance of democracy, but in actuality it was a tool used to gather power and wealth and to only make changes to secure that goal. The fact that Thaksin listened to noone and was transparent as a piece of lead support that, and the TRT supported him as they saw he knew how to make things happen in their favor.

Yes, I agree with you regarding previously elected governments. My post however was referring to the present government and its policy of dissolving democratic institutions and practices.

[John K]

The OP referred to "TRT targeted for dissolution". After 287 posts isn't it time for all of us to admit it's "DEMOCRACY TARGETED FOR DISSOLUTION"?

The more I look at it the more it appears the TRT was a carefully crafted facade to have the appearance of democracy, but in actuality it was a tool used to gather power and wealth and to only make changes to secure that goal. The fact that Thaksin listened to noone and was transparent as a piece of lead support that, and the TRT supported him as they saw he knew how to make things happen in their favor.

Yes, I agree with you regarding previously elected governments. My post however was referring to the present government and its policy of dissolving democratic institutions and practices.

Well I guess it is how you look at it, but as I seem to recall and seeing as this thread was started before the coup, the present government is just trying to insure that the accused stay away from manipulating the system in their favor. Manipulating the system in their favor is what this is all about and is why they stand to be dissolved.

[sriracha john]

Did not bother applying for a broadcast license, did not bother getting their reporters accredited. How professional.

Heck, Tony... they are lucky if they remembered to gas up the Toyota before they left their "hotel studio."

`

[sriracha john]

The OP referred to "TRT targeted for dissolution". After 287 posts isn't it time for all of us to admit it's "DEMOCRACY TARGETED FOR DISSOLUTION"?

Yep, just as soon as the thread title is realized and the TRT Party is dissolved, then they can begin to work on zeroing in on that target of Democracy.

[sriracha john]

The OP referred to "TRT targeted for dissolution". After 287 posts isn't it time for all of us to admit it's "DEMOCRACY TARGETED FOR DISSOLUTION"?

The more I look at it the more it appears the TRT was a carefully crafted facade to have the appearance of democracy

That facade was a highly cracked mirror with the multi-distorted face of democracy staring back in it. The facade lasted for a time... faking and deceiving people along the way, but ultimately with most people wising up to it's damaged status.

It took longer than optimal for most people to see the distortions in the mirror, but it is now so truly cracked that even the blind should be able to sense it, even without seeing the face in the mirror.

Impatience with the current government reflects that in that people are less tolerant of imperfections in the glass. They want an intact mirror... Thailand longs for an uncracked mirror. They deserve it and someone will will do their best to ensure it is obtainable by throwing the cracked pieces in the trash bin.

[ThaiGoon]

That facade was a highly cracked mirror with the multi-distorted face of democracy staring back in it. The facade lasted for a time... faking and deceiving people along the way, but ultimately with most people wising up to him.

It took longer than optimal for most people to see the distortions in the mirror, but it is now so truly cracked that even the blind should be able to sense it, even without seeing the face in the mirror.

Impatience with the current government reflects that in that people are less tolerant of imperfections in the glass. They want an intact mirror... Thailand longs for an uncracked mirror. They deserve it and someone will will do their best to ensure it is obtainable by throwing the cracked pieces in the trash bin.

I hope you are right. I hate seeing the same old faces in Thai politics taking turns raping the country. Hopefully a new generation of politicians like Apisit and Apirak won't let us down when they have their chances.

[sriracha john]

The OP referred to "TRT targeted for dissolution". After 287 posts isn't it time for all of us to admit it's "DEMOCRACY TARGETED FOR DISSOLUTION"?

The more I look at it the more it appears the TRT was a carefully crafted facade to have the appearance of democracy, but in actuality it was a tool used to gather power and wealth and to only make changes to secure that goal. The fact that Thaksin listened to noone and was transparent as a piece of lead support that, and the TRT supported him as they saw he knew how to make things happen in their favor.

Yes, I agree with you regarding previously elected governments. My post however was referring to the present government and its policy of dissolving democratic institutions and practices.

Giving a laxative to rid one's body of a well-entrenced constipation can sometimes, in and of itself, be less than desireable, but it is, nonetheless, a sometimes needed and effective treatment and once the blockage is cleared out of your system, the laxative is no longer needed.

[sriracha john]

That facade was a highly cracked mirror with the multi-distorted face of democracy staring back in it. The facade lasted for a time... faking and deceiving people along the way, but ultimately with most people wising up to him.

It took longer than optimal for most people to see the distortions in the mirror, but it is now so truly cracked that even the blind should be able to sense it, even without seeing the face in the mirror.

Impatience with the current government reflects that in that people are less tolerant of imperfections in the glass. They want an intact mirror... Thailand longs for an uncracked mirror. They deserve it and someone will will do their best to ensure it is obtainable by throwing the cracked pieces in the trash bin.

I hope you are right. I hate seeing the same old faces in Thai politics taking turns raping the country. Hopefully a new generation of politicians like Apisit and Apirak won't let us down when they have their chances.

...or even a newer generation. Ones that are in the background now and unknown.

Finding good, sincere, decent, honest, thoughtful, giving, hard-working, compassionate, selfless Thais is NOT that difficult.

I encounter them every day.

[ThaiGoon]

I hope you are right. I hate seeing the same old faces in Thai politics taking turns raping the country. Hopefully a new generation of politicians like Apisit and Apirak won't let us down when they have their chances.

...or even a newer generation. Ones that are in the background now and unknown.

Finding good, sincere, decent, giving, hard-working, thoughtful, compassionate, selfless Thais is NOT that difficult.

I encounter them every day.

[John K]

PTV fails to go on air

Thursday's inaugural broadcast for PTV, the new satellite TV station, turned out to be a dress rehearsal as the station management failed to secure the Internet access to relay the programme from Bangkok to an uplink station in Hong Kong.

The PTV management blamed CAT Telecom Plc for refusing to grant the cyberspace linkage while the government-controlled service provider countered that it had never received the station's application for its service.

Despite of the technical glitch, station executives turned out in full force at the morning's inaugural ceremony to greet 300 well-wishers and supporters of the Thai Rak Thai Party, expected to become the station's core audience.

Key executives included Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Promphan, Nattawut Saikua and Jakrapob Penkair.

After three hours of failed attempts to activate the Internet access, Veera decided to launch the studio broadcast for half-hour demonstration. The demonstration session was recorded in CDs which would be distributed to the public later.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

PTV fails to air on its first day

The People's Television, or PTV, failed to get on the air on its first day Thursday as planned, because CAT Telecom has not released a satellite slot for the station, station director Nattawut Saikua said. After the station missed its scheduled air time by two hours this morning, Chatuporn Prompan, co-founder of PTV, spoke to about 100 supporters who were present at the station's headquarters at Imperial department store, Lad Prao, and told them that the station would definitely air its program Thursday. PTV planned to begin its broadcast at 9 a.m. Meanwhile, Jirachai Srichon, CAT Telecom's executive vice-president for network operations, said Thursday that PTV has not asked for permission from the company to link its signal with satellites.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117142

==========================================

oops... yet one more thing that forgot to do.

They seem to think that opening a television station is no more involved than to begin selling som tam at a roadside cart.