PM warns media to toe the line or face 'consequences'



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha today warned some media representatives that they may face consequences if they continue to report in a way which is threatening national interests.

The prime minister specifically identified a Channel 3 reporter, Ms Thapanee Iadsrichai, and warned that she must report herself to authorities concerned for her reportage of the recent seizure of Thai fishing boats in Indonesia.

He asked if the media would take the responsibility if the European Union stops buying seafood products from Thailand because of the Thai media’s negative reporting about Thai fishing industry.

The media, said the prime minister, must bear in mind of the impacts of their reportage to national interests. He added that the government had not shied away from helping Thai fishermen arrested overseas.

He asked for understanding from the media, insisting that he is not a politician, has no vested interests “but still a human being who is sensitive.”

He warned that he might be forced to invoke his special powers to deal with media which bent on biased reporting in a way which may cause political conflict.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-warns-media-to-toe-the-line-or-face-consequences


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-25

Report the truth and you will be dealt with! How do people continue to support this nutter? Someone should offer him a deal to buy the rights to this comedy show which is the General.

The truth always hurts.

He warned that he might be forced to invoke his special powers to deal with media which bent on biased reporting in a way which may cause political conflict.

That is what some of the media people seek to achieve Prime Minister.

Do not give in to them and their low practices.

Carry on with the good job you have been doing up to now and the Thai people will recognise your efforts and ignore the media.

And don't forget.......think before you open your mouth..................

At least he's honest. Same happens in the west but everybody pretends otherwise

Yes report the truth and i'll punish you,no change in thailand since Yingluck.

I am surprised how critical some articles are. Not that I think its wrong to criticize but The The Media are spectacularly wrong in many cases

When they print rubbish and rumour its just as nauseating as the opinion polls

So just shoot the messenger, but turn a blind eye to illegal practices like human trafficking?

You gotta give the guy some credit - he's not joking when he says he's not a politician.

Naming no names of course, but some folks in high authority in a certain Kingdom of SE Asia have perhaps never heard of the Web or Social Media. Threatening a named Ch.3 reporter for reporting some ongoing truth, will simply add to the threatening impact on that kingdom's national interests.

No coconut for guessing which kingdom I'm referring to!

At least he's honest. Same happens in the west but everybody pretends otherwise

You are of course correct - no denying - the difference is that the agencies who manipulate the press usually have the word intelligence somewhere in their name - a word that distinctly lacking in descriptive form in any of the dear general's proclamations.

"He asked if the media would take the responsibility if the European Union stops buying seafood products from Thailand because of the Thai media’s negative reporting about Thai fishing industry."

If the EU stops buying Thai seafood products responsibility will lie solely with the Thai government. If the media are not saying good things it's because the government are not doing good things. The whole world outside Thailand has not suffered the mind control the poor Thai people have endured for generations, so the Thai government will get what's coming to it irrespective of what the Banana Sergeant asks for.

Idiot.

"He warned that he might be forced to invoke his special powers to deal with media which bent on biased reporting in a way which may cause political conflict."

Would be that accurately?

The good general is on a roll with this and his 'hold onto power' rant....

Hey, but seriously, for the posters above who claim that it is the same in the west, stop with the silly false-equivalencies and wake up!

Sure, there are always anti-free-speech and anti-democratic forces in every democracy, but no, it is absolutely not the same in the west, not by a mile.

1984, North Korea...

Banana sergeant, LOL

He warned that he might be forced to invoke his special powers to deal with media which bent on biased reporting in a way which may cause political conflict.

That is what some of the media people seek to achieve Prime Minister.

Do not give in to them and their low practices.

Carry on with the good job you have been doing up to now and the Thai people will recognise your efforts and ignore the media.

And don't forget.......think before you open your mouth..................

"Thanks Costas, at least I have one loyal supporter" said the General

"He asked if the media would take the responsibility if the European Union stops buying seafood products from Thailand because of the Thai media’s negative reporting about Thai fishing industry."

If I recall correctly, parents of the Chinese children that died from contaminated baby formula were warned to stop kicking up such a fuss because it made the country look bad.

You can either fix the problem or you can cover it up. It's clear which approach Prayuth prefers.

It kinda makes ya wonder though. Are all us posters on this thread now on some (perhaps not-so) secret list?

PS - that General that's presently running Thailand is a rum bloke - Dae ye no agree?

He warned that he might be forced to invoke his special powers to deal with media which bent on biased reporting in a way which may cause political conflict.

That is what some of the media people seek to achieve Prime Minister.

Do not give in to them and their low practices.

Carry on with the good job you have been doing up to now and the Thai people will recognise your efforts and ignore the media.

And don't forget.......think before you open your mouth..................

And don't forget.......think before you open your mouth..................

You should do the same mate,

Look at the reality, this guy will not give back power and each day show more of his game : keep the powerm play his game or get jailed...

It kinda makes ya wonder though. Are all us posters on this thread now on some (perhaps not-so) secret list?

PS - that General that's presently running Thailand is a rum bloke - Dae ye no agree?

This is why some posters need to think more before speaking aloud themselves, nevermind criticising the big guy for what he says.

In another topic I pointed this out and one of the very vocal members who pulls no punches with his views on the junta government replied that he is using an internet proxy.

So here it is again in this topic: for those who want to speak 100% freely you need to put some form of condom on your tongue: whether that be a proxy or residing outside the junta's jurisdiction.

Otherwise, don't let the bedbugs bite....

At least he's honest. Same happens in the west but everybody pretends otherwise

How about providing something to support your false statement. When has any western government muzzled the fifth estate? The former Bush administration didn't do such a good job over the allegations of abuse in Iraq did it? The Australian media loves having a go at the current PM. Canada's CBC is openly hostile to the current government. Hasn't the British media had a field day kicking Cameron's butt exposing misstep after misstep? Isn

t the French media out for Hollande's head, and the Dutch press can hardly be considered anyone's lap dog.

So, yea, tell me how the western media is censored in the west when it comes to political reporting or the exposing of financial wrongdoing.

some people really should just keep their mouths shut

some people really sound stupid and ignorant every time they talk

some people just like hearing their own voice

some people just like reading their names and quote in the paper

The guy running Thailand just hit a grand slam ... touch them all Prayuth ...

In an article I just read the PM told a group of reporters that he has the power to execute those that don't report the truth and that he might do so But I am sure he is only joking

I can see it coming; closing down all Newspaper Offices apart from Junta controlled ones and the same with TV stations. Block Google and Facebook, Line etc and black out Thailand from even one word of outside influence.

The Man is a legend in his own mind and NOBODY knows better than him.

Report the truth and you will be dealt with! How do people continue to support this nutter? Someone should offer him a deal to buy the rights to this comedy show which is the General.

Report the truth as you want it to be seen you mean?

Mind you, I have no info on what the lady reported.

In an article I just read the PM told a group of reporters that he has the power to execute those that don't report the truth and that he might do so But I am sure he is only joking

And where might that article be?

At least he's honest. Same happens in the west but everybody pretends otherwise

How about providing something to support your false statement. When has any western government muzzled the fifth estate? The former Bush administration didn't do such a good job over the allegations of abuse in Iraq did it? The Australian media loves having a go at the current PM. Canada's CBC is openly hostile to the current government. Hasn't the British media had a field day kicking Cameron's butt exposing misstep after misstep? Isn

t the French media out for Hollande's head, and the Dutch press can hardly be considered anyone's lap dog.

So, yea, tell me how the western media is censored in the west when it comes to political reporting or the exposing of financial wrongdoing.

You practically state that the Bush administration was busy muzzling the press, but wasn't so good at it. Still they did it, gkid says so.

The good general is on a roll with this and his 'hold onto power' rant....

Hey, but seriously, for the posters above who claim that it is the same in the west, stop with the silly false-equivalencies and wake up!

Sure, there are always anti-free-speech and anti-democratic forces in every democracy, but no, it is absolutely not the same in the west, not by a mile.

It's absolutely not the same in the West. Just read a few WikiLeaks, some of Snowden's papers.

So just shoot the messenger, but turn a blind eye to illegal practices like human trafficking?

You gotta give the guy some credit - he's not joking when he says he's not a politician.

Any idea about what the lady from Channel 3 had reported regarding the Thai fisher boats seized in Indonesia?