Thai Junta Vows Action Against Foreign Media Over Coup Reports

Thai junta vows action against foreign media over coup reports

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's military leaders warned Saturday they would "retaliate" against foreign media they said had insulted the revered monarchy in reporting their coup, a junta spokesman said.

"At today's meeting top military leaders asked the foreign ministry to urgently retaliate against foreign reporters whose coverage has been deemed insulting to the monarchy," deputy spokesman Major General Thaweep Netniyan told reporters.

Thaweep, speaking at a press conference after a three-hour meeting of the generals, did not name the foreign media organisations or dispatches deemed offensive and did not specify how the regime would retaliate.

Insulting the king is a serious criminal offense in Thailand, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The junta also instructed the foreign ministry to quickly "clarify" the situation in Thailand with other countries as well as the foreign media via Thai embassies and military attaches.

"Diplomats here may be summoned again to explain the situation," he said.

-- AFP 2006-09-23