Thai PBS replaces programme host Nattaya after NCPO's tough stance

[Lite Beer]

Thai PBS replaces programme host Nattaya after NCPO's tough stance
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai PBS has replaced the anchor of a programme on reforms following dissatisfaction expressed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) about her style.

In a statement issued yesterday, Thai PBS said it supported Nattaya Wawweerakup as she was professional, however, it said she would be temporarily replaced in order to avoid a possible impact on the show.

Nattaya hosted "People's Voices that Need to be Heard before the Reform".

The decision to replace her came after a group of military officers requested that the show be pulled off the air, citing an order from their "bosses" in the NCPO.

Thai PBS also insisted that it was sticking by its policy of maintaining independence, adding that the show would really benefit the reform process and the general public. The statement also said the channel would provide an explanation about the programme to the military officers.

Thienchay Kiranandana, president of the National Reform Council, earlier yesterday voiced concerns about the NCPO reaction to the show. He added that the NRC would set up a forum to listen to people's ideas on national reform.

"I believe shows like this will be suspended again because of martial law," Thienchay said. "The government is clear on martial law - it is still active, and I cannot ask the NCPO to lift martial law."

He said the reform process would be pursued in another form, with the NRC setting up a centre where people can lodge suggestions and complaints.

The suspension of the show has resulted in much criticism. It followed a meeting of the military with Thai PBS executives.

It came after Nattaya hosted the programme in Songkhla, with villagers and activists criticising the coup in response to provocative questions.

The officers who met with the executives also wanted the programme to shift its focus and broadcast general news and remove Nattaya as host.

Thai PBS executives said the station had complied.

An NCPO source said Nattaya was removed because the junta did not like her questions, which centred on whether southerners were comfortable under the NCPO and the government.

The source said that after high-ranking military officers heard about the show, the junta ordered three of its members to meet Thai PBS chief Somchai Suwanban and ask for his cooperation regarding the matter.

Somchai said he understood the situation and would solve the problem, but Nattaya still went to Nakhon Pathom to report on a similar topic, resulting in another meeting between the junta and the Thai PBS chief.

The source said that had resulted in Thai PBS being told it would need the junta's permission to air the show.

Criticism has been directed not just at the junta but also at Thai PBS.

The military also intervened to shut down a public forum that was due to be held at Alliance Francaise in Bangkok tomorrow under the topic "Thailand and Inequality".

It feared that the gathering would affect the political situation or result in criticism being directed at the government, given that social critic Sulak Sivaraksa was to appear.

However, the organiser of the event said it was to have been a mere "talk show" to entertain people, and Sulak was to have spoken on history.

The organiser said the military wanted certain speakers removed, but they were all qualified to be part of the event.

However, it was hopeful the junta would give it permission today for the event to proceed.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Thai-PBS-replaces-programme-host-Nattaya-after-NCP-30247847.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-15

[Lex Talionis]

Censorship of the press. A sign of the times and it does not bode well for the future.

[NongKhaiKid]

Rule 1 : NO, absolutely NO criticism.

Rule 2 : Openness, transparency, free speech and public input encouraged BUT first refer to Rule 1.

This situation and others like it is what the public are assured that world leaders understand which is being passed of as acceptance, agreement etc.

Edited November 14, 2014 by NongKhaiKid

[Mango Bob]

Freedom of Speech and Expression is suppressed by the military junta once again. "It feared that the gathering would affect the political situation or result in criticism being directed at the government" And you can't have that happening. You don't want people to hear another side. You wonder why the rest of the world is telling the good PM to stop the Martial Law and bring back basic Freedoms to the people.

[chooka]

Not playing by the propaganda script and upsetting the dear leader. Voices of the people are not permitted in the new Thailand. Just report the scripted propaganda issued.

[NongKhaiKid]

Not playing by the propaganda script and upsetting the dear leader. Voices of the people are not permitted in the new Thailand. Just report the scripted propaganda issued.

The general speaks to the nation every week and assures all is well, progress everywhere and of course happiness.

A television host presents a show which has guests expressing contrary views so she is removed and the revamped show needs approval to go to air !

Hmmm !

[Robby nz]

Bad move, they are getting too carried away with silencing people, particularly in this case when it was ordinary people and villagers and not activists who were involved.

[apetley]

Getting rid of a programs host at the request of the military doesn't seem to be sticking to ones independence to me.

[ChrisY1]

Prayuth has just, supposedly, completed addressing world leaders on how Thailand is changing......and here we have a blatant, gross example of media censoring.........

And the PM thinks the international leaders and media, take him and his junta seriously.........it's examples such as this, that destroy the legitimacy of the current Thai administration.

Edited November 15, 2014 by ChrisY1

[smedly]

well it is obvious that if the show is critical of the process and the current situation rather than encouraging or offering productive ideas about the reform process then it has no place on any media, we have had enough of divisive factions and propaganda running loose on Thai TV - there is a reform process that is moving forward - lets stick to the program like it or not

[Lupatria]

The good news is: this victim wasn't pushed of a balcony.

[MaxYakov]

well it is obvious that if the show is critical of the process and the current situation rather than encouraging or offering productive ideas about the reform process then it has no place on any media, we have had enough of divisive factions and propaganda running loose on Thai TV - there is a reform process that is moving forward - lets stick to the program like it or not

I think you lost a lot more that just "3 days" on your "whiskey diet", like it or not.

[retarius]

Don't need to be a prophet to see where this is going.

[iReason]

"The decision to replace her came after a group of military officers requested that the show be pulled off the air, citing an order from their "bosses" in the NCPO."

"The source said that had resulted in Thai PBS being told it would need the junta's permission to air the show."

"The military also intervened to shut down a public forum..."

Fascism.

[EnglishJohn]

" .... activists criticising the coup in response to provocative questions."

Did you people not bother to read that part ?.

And are you not able to comprehend that Prayuth is trying to achieve reconciliation which will be impossible with red-shirt's trying to stick a knife in anywhere they can ?.

If Pheu-Thai had even tried for reconciliation Thailand would not be in this mess. They (and you) deserve everything which happened.

[fab4]

Reap what you sow - and certain people said it would be different this time, just give it time.

Just how much time do you need, before it finally sinks in?.........................................

[The stuttering parrot]

And people on this forum support this lot.

Funny how silent they are when the junta flexes it's muscle and muzzles free speech.

[BKKBrit]

well it is obvious that if the show is critical of the process and the current situation rather than encouraging or offering productive ideas about the reform process then it has no place on any media, we have had enough of divisive factions and propaganda running loose on Thai TV - there is a reform process that is moving forward - lets stick to the program like it or not

I think you lost a lot more that just "3 days" on your "whiskey diet", like it or not.

Smedly should review the tagline that he uses - "Do not argue with a fool. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience"

[oneday]

The "Junta" should be loosening their controls as they move forward, not tightening them. The UN will look very badly on something like this. It certainly looks like "freedom of the press" and "freedom of speech" are still a long ways off. This is a very bad sign.

[rickirs]

"Thienchay Kiranandana, president of the National Reform Council, yesterday voiced concerns about the National Council for Peace and Order ordering that a Thai PBS show be pulled off air, adding that the NRC would set up a forum to listen to people's ideas on national reform."

Maybe the NRC should consider reforming the military's unilateral power to impose martial law and personal dictates of its officers in what amounts to unwritten and arbitary law. How can a nation operate under a credible Rule of Law when it is transitory, nontransparent, and not appealable? But for true reform to happen the NRC would have to overcome its own conflict of interest with the NCPO.

Reform becomes not a question of what came first - the chicken (NCPO) or the egg (NRC) - but a question as to whose farm it is? Thailand should be the barnyard where all peoples live free without fear of tyranny.

[Trouble]

" .... activists criticising the coup in response to provocative questions."

Did you people not bother to read that part ?.

And are you not able to comprehend that Prayuth is trying to achieve reconciliation which will be impossible with red-shirt's trying to stick a knife in anywhere they can ?.

If Pheu-Thai had even tried for reconciliation Thailand would not be in this mess. They (and you) deserve everything which happened.

Reconciliation requires dialogue by all parties not just the fascist junta. If silencing the Red or Yellow sides which oppose different aspects of the junta then it is not reconciliation.

[NongKhaiKid]

" .... activists criticising the coup in response to provocative questions."

Did you people not bother to read that part ?.

And are you not able to comprehend that Prayuth is trying to achieve reconciliation which will be impossible with red-shirt's trying to stick a knife in anywhere they can ?.

If Pheu-Thai had even tried for reconciliation Thailand would not be in this mess. They (and you) deserve everything which happened.

' Activists ' doesn't have to mean wearing a shirt of a particular colour, in fact asking questions doesn't mean being an activist except under the doctrine of the junta.

[DeepInTheForest]

Gloomy world. The Thai military is doing blatantly what more sophisticated regimes do covertly (with corporate ownership of the press, a stranglehold on TV news, and economies that, by design, do not allow people to rest and think).

Orwell was prescient.

Burma and Thailand now seem to be on a teeter-totter in terms of democracy and free speech.

Many of these problems can be laid at the door of global capitalism, with its skyrocketing inequalities. We seem to be in an unsustainable spiral...

What most of us would like is control over our lives, a sense of common humanity, and a way to enjoy life with a degree of comfort while not trashing environment or society.

[mrjohndub]

well it is obvious that if the show is critical of the process and the current situation rather than encouraging or offering productive ideas about the reform process then it has no place on any media, we have had enough of divisive factions and propaganda running loose on Thai TV - there is a reform process that is moving forward - lets stick to the program like it or not

Cite an example of truly meaningful reform. I dare you. And please, no BS about Phuket beach vendors, land distribution to the underprivileged or documentstion of migrant workers.

[Chao Lao Beach]

I will tell you how to think, eat rice no bread.

[mrjohndub]

" .... activists criticising the coup in response to provocative questions."

Did you people not bother to read that part ?.

And are you not able to comprehend that Prayuth is trying to achieve reconciliation which will be impossible with red-shirt's trying to stick a knife in anywhere they can ?.

If Pheu-Thai had even tried for reconciliation Thailand would not be in this mess. They (and you) deserve everything which happened.

Why would PTP even attempt to reconcile with a petulant minority group with no real agenda except for preserving privilege, which depends on military coups to remain relevant and drapes itself in phony, self-righteous patriotism whilst cynically pretending to protect democracy and the honor of the [ahem]?

[tbthailand]

And people on this forum support this lot.

Funny how silent they are when the junta flexes it's muscle and muzzles free speech.

ah, but that is the joy of the situation, because, of course, he doesn't.

In a separate report, his secretary general of the NCPO committee to monitor the media says:

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister and NCPO leader, has never censored the media. We are open...

(twilight zone theme music comes to mind when I read comments like this)

[BirdsandBooze]

This will suit the terminally naive here, those that can't even take a dump with out feeling the need to first ask permission from someone in authority.

[tbthailand]

"Thienchay Kiranandana, president of the National Reform Council, yesterday voiced concerns about the National Council for Peace and Order ordering that a Thai PBS show be pulled off air, adding that the NRC would set up a forum to listen to people's ideas on national reform."

Maybe the NRC should consider reforming the military's unilateral power to impose martial law and personal dictates of its officers in what amounts to unwritten and arbitary law. How can a nation operate under a credible Rule of Law when it is transitory, nontransparent, and not appealable? But for true reform to happen the NRC would have to overcome its own conflict of interest with the NCPO.

Reform becomes not a question of what came first - the chicken (NCPO) or the egg (NRC) - but a question as to whose farm it is? Thailand should be the barnyard where all peoples live free without fear of tyranny.

should be but that is not how it works here.

by the way, 'reform' is just another orwellian concept - don't fall into the trap of actually using the word according to it's dictionary meaning.

[tx22cb]

So this Nattaya and the people she interviewed in Songkhla and Nakhon Pathom are part of the tiny 7% minority who do not approve of the coup, and can be summarily disregarded.

Well done to Thai PBS for expressing support for the professionalism of the journalist.