Work with us and don't fear us, NCPO tells media

[webfact]

Work with us and don't fear us, NCPO tells media
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE director of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s Centre for Reconciliation, Lt General Kampanat Ruddit has asked the media to help the junta "create an atmosphere for reconciliation" - while stressing that the NCPO has no intention of intimidating the press.

The NCPO organised a seminar on press relations attended by around 250 members of the media.

Kampanat said the junta had two key policies towards news organisations. The first was to establish good understanding between the junta and reporters so they can accurately convey information to the people.

Secondly, in regard to regulation of the press, junta chief Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted the media to regulate itself.

"The junta leader does not want to impose power over the media - therefore press relations events are organised in order to establish a collective understanding as to the reasons the NCPO had to take over the country's administration. We ask the press to help promote an atmosphere of reconciliation," Kampanat said.

Members of the press at the seminar raised concerns about government and the NCPO, and particularly press obstacles emanating from the NCPO. For example, local radio hosts complained their channels had been suspended since the coup while the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) claimed they were preparing to lay out new rules and regulations.

Kampanat said the system |was being reorganised to prevent radio signals from disrupting |one another. He said the NBTC |was working to urgently solve the problem and was aware this suspension of local radio signals had caused hardship to broadcast businesses.

The director of the NCPO's Centre for Reconciliation also expressed concern about the post-junta era when an elected administration is reinstalled.

He said he was worried whe-ther the next government would follow the reform plan that |had been drafted under the |junta's administration, because |the NCPO wanted to lay the |foundation and continuity for national development for years to come.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Work-with-us-and-dont-fear-us-NCPO-tells-media-30256236.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-18

[tbthailand]

these guys are a joke, right??

[96tehtarp]

"Lt General Kampanat Ruddit has asked the media to help the junta "create an atmosphere for reconciliation" - while stressing that the NCPO has no intention of intimidating the press."

Martial law will suffice. There is absolutely no need for the NCPO to intimidate anyone directly.

From another Thai Visa thread here:

"Given that the junta is controlling every aspect of Thai politics for nearly 10 months now, forbidding criticism of the junta while talking about politics is like asking people to walk without using their feet....

...Last week, when the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) held its first discussion on Thai politics since the May 2014 coup, the organiser said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had warned the club not to allow any criticism of the NCPO."

Edited March 18, 2015 by 96tehtarp

[tbthailand]

how many more times do we need to hear, in the same story, that the press should report exactly what the junta wants, and no, the junta is not censoring the press...

[Rod Wallop]

Reconciliation in Thailand? Never. Not while there is all that lovely money to collect.

[96tehtarp]

Reconciliation in Thailand? Never. Not while there is all that lovely money to collect.

It is about the money.

The divisiveness in Thailand does not come from Thaksin, PTP, Suthep, Yellow shirts, or three finger salutes. It doesn't even come from "underboob selfies". The root cause of this divisiveness comes from something so terrifying that it cannot be discussed.

On the question of reconciliation it is enlightening to look at other examples of deeply polarized countries. No country comes to my mind in this way more than apartheid South Africa. It was deeply divided, had a history of human rights violations and a desperate urgent need for reconciliation. They formed the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission," the most significant and notable aspect of this commission's activities was their granting of amnesty. It is important to note that this commission was only inaugurated after the INSTITUTION of apartheid had crumbled and was abolished. Imagine the absurdity if the South African apartheid government had set up a reconciliation commission while their nation was still under martial law imposed as a means to prolong the apartheid regime's hold on power.

Everyone should be able to recall what the PTP's attempt at amnesty caused. The reaction resulted in a coup, a junta, the NCPO, and martial law. In my opinion Thailand is not yet ready for reconciliation or amnesty. The timing is not yet right.

On the brighter side, I do like Prayuth's recommendation to the CDC that if the people don't like the new constitution it should be torn up and started again from scratch. Until then the people of Thailand will need to be patient and wait for the correct timing for amnesty and reconciliation. Then they will be really happy. Sabai sabai.

Edited March 18, 2015 by 96tehtarp

[yellowboat]

If more substantive things were to be accomplished, the press would report on it. The junta seems to be in this fragile state where they fear criticism of any kind.

At the moment the rice for rails deal seems to have been rushed through with less than favorable terms. Also the new constitution is going to contentious issue.

The junta was rather naive if they thought it would be cheered on after usurping power. It is hard to have sympathy for these people

[Emster23]

"The junta leader does not want to impose power over the media" maybe he doesn't want to, but that doesn't mean he won't.... Lots of us do things we may not want to, but figure we need to...

[toybits]

Nuff said...

[Lupatria]

What they say:

"The junta leader does not want to impose power over the media -

Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp: "The prime minister has no intention to intimidate members of the media."

What they do:

Junta orders German NGO to cancel press freedom briefing

Liking anti junta Facebook posts is a crime: Thai police

PM Prayuth Chan-O-Cha has defended plans to introduce tough new cyber laws in Thailand.

Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has warned that any news anchors or talking heads who present opposing views about his government may be summoned for discussion.

General Prayuth had said in a speech that he wanted to "punch a journalist" because he had inquired about the results of the government's work.

At a press conference General Prayuth accused a newspaper of criticizing him every day, even though the publisher therefore is threatened with legal consequences. "I do not read this newspaper, because that makes me angry. But I will instruct my subordinates to read it next year. If you can not change the articles, I'm going to order the closure, "said General Prayuth.

[maxme]

"Work with us, don't fear us"

Too late for that...

[DM07]

...or else...

[Srikcir]

You work with me or I punish you.

This is not fear, just free will.