NCPO's fury over Thai Rath cartoon

[webfact]

Junta's fury over Thai Rath cartoon
Jitraporn Senwong, Wasamon Audjarint
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Political cartoonist Sakda Sae-Iew, aka Sia, will be sued if he continues to publish work that distorts the truth, he was told yesterday by the National Council for Peace an Order (NCPO).

Sakda, who works for Thai-language paper Thai Rath, was summoned by the junta on Saturday to explain his cartoons, which the NCPO's committee on media conduct considers to have misrepresented the facts.

The conversation remained smooth and non-threatening during his incarceration, according to Sakda. The NCPO officers allowed him to explain his work and did not suspend him from expressing his opinions. He was also not required to sign any agreements. But they warned him that he could be sued if he produces any distorted work in the future.

"[From now on,] I will have to adjust my working style," he said, "because my organisation may be affected [if I don't]. If I alone will be affected, then it's okay."

Despite the warning, he felt comfortable to continue producing work based on facts in papers. He said his work are a goodwill gesture toward the country.

Thai Journalists Association (TJA) president Wanchai Wongmeechai said that although the talk between Sakda and the NCPO was settled, the TJA is still worried about people's rights and freedom of expression regarding the matter.

TJA, together with other media organisations, will discuss how to create a better environment for freer expression. Outcomes from discussions will be proposed to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Wanchai said. "The premier assured the international community during his speech at the UN General Assembly last week that we'll be back to democracy soon, so I expect him to be more open. If one has to be sued, it has to be done by law. If it's simply an alternative set of thoughts then it shouldn't be wrong."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Juntas-fury-over-Thai-Rath-cartoon-30270200.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-05

[stoneyboy]

The grip continues to tighten.

[NongKhaiKid]

The grip continues to tighten.

Oh Yes, the junta have absolute power, the PM can say what he likes, can insult and threaten others but everyone else has to be so careful and PC.

[webfact]

Thai Rath cartoonist summoned for attitude adjustment

BANGKOK: -- Thai Rath’s political cartoonist Sakda “Sia” sae Aew was on Sunday “Invited” by the National Council for Peace and Order to the army headquarter for an “attitude adjustment” meeting.

The cartoonist whose works appear on Thai Rath’s page 3 from Monday to Saturday reportedly met General Aswin Chaemsuwan, chief of the office of the assistant army commander-in-chief.

Sakda told reporters before being led to the army headquarter that he was ready to meet with and listen to the views of the NCPO. He admitted that he might have overstepped in his criticism of the government and the junta and would like to apologise his colleagues and boss at Thai Rath because he had no intention to cause them any trouble.

The cartoonist, however, defended that his cartoons were based on facts and he had no intention whatsoever to defame anbody.

Earlier last month, The Nation senior reporter Prawit Rojanapruek was summoned to report to the NCPO for “attitude adjustment”.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-rath-cartoonist-summoned-for-attitude-adjustment


-- Thai PBS 2015-10-05

[canuckamuck]

It feels like we are experiencing history here; what they call a dark chapter.

[Toknarok]

Je suis Thai Rath.

[bamnutsak]

The Military Junta is becoming more desperate.

But it seems like their threats worked on Sia as he has supposedly acknowledged that he "went over the line", and will be more cautious in the future.

So much for the "free speech" which the Dear General highlighted in his speech at the U.N. last week.

Edited October 4, 2015 by bamnutsak

[NongKhaiKid]

The NCPO lost its sense of humour on day one and it hasn't improved any. it doesn't matter if the cartoon was fact based or just good old fashioned satire as the junta are so thin skinned that any hint of criticism, actual or implied, won't be tolerated.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

This will all end in tears.

[bamnutsak]

So no mention whatsoever of what the cartoon was about or in what way it distorts the truth ?. What an abysmal article.

Well in these dark days it's a bit like LM/112 charges where the mere mention of the charge is verbotten.

But you can find his cartoons on-line; but there is a lot of Thai text so you need a translation.

I assume that it wasn't one single cartoon which caused the ire of the Military Junta but rather the accumulation of all his cartoons. That, and they are becoming more desperate to control the narrative.

They should just ban all newspapers, shut down the internet and only allow government-sponsored news. A future poll indicates that 98.6823 % of the people would support this move.

[ramrod711]

They're cartoons, nobody is bombing, shooting or instigating violence. When people take cartoons too seriously events like the Charlie Hebdo killings in France happen, Something like 11 people died because of cartoons, is that sane? I think someone needs to lighten up, a little light humour is no reason to lose your cool.

[gk10002000]

So the conversation was smooth and non-threatening during his incarceration eh? OK.

[T_Dog]

The Military Junta is becoming more desperate.

But it seems like their threats worked on Sia as he has supposedly acknowledged that he "went over the line", and will be more cautious in the future.

So much for the "free speech" which the Dear General highlighted in his speech at the U.N. last week.

He probably didn't want to be on the same side of the line as Pavin Chachavalpongpun. When you see what happens to others, you get careful. Sad thing about all this is that the smartest Thai's are the ones in the most danger.

[bamnutsak]

Sad thing about all this is that the smartest Thai's are the ones in the most danger.

No worries. The smart ones have moved to other countries. Those that haven't are smart enough to know that they need to keep quiet and cower in fear.

Don't forget that the Military Junta already banned the "3-finger salute", eating sandwiches in public and reading controversial books in public, and this was in the early days of the Military Coup.

Edited October 5, 2015 by bamnutsak

[Oziex1]

The Military Junta is becoming more desperate.

But it seems like their threats worked on Sia as he has supposedly acknowledged that he "went over the line", and will be more cautious in the future.

So much for the "free speech" which the Dear General highlighted in his speech at the U.N. last week.

He probably didn't want to be on the same side of the line as Pavin Chachavalpongpun. When you see what happens to others, you get careful. Sad thing about all this is that the smartest Thai's are the ones in the most danger.

The intelligentsia in all countries under military rule are often persecuted as you suggest these Thai's are in danger.

I would suggest the smartest Thai's are not living in Thailand.

[bamnutsak]

the cartoons that got him lifted were about the new airport link trains that were purchased from a chinese company.

While that cartoon was certainly embarrassing I honestly think that it may just have been the one which "broke the camel's back"?

While it did appear to "quote" specific monetary amounts (Malaysia paying less then 60 million baht, SRT paying 158 million baht) for the same items, that may have given the Military Junta the "opening" they needed to cite dissemination of "mis-information" harmful to National Security and the Kingdom?

Cartoonists may just have to get more creative, and use differing heights of piles of cash to indicate potential malfeasance? But even that may draw the ire of the Junta strongmen?

Edited October 5, 2015 by bamnutsak

[shirtless]

If you are truly bringing happiness to the people why do you want to shut down any discontent, this government is acting like stupid children , they will soon run into major problem as happiness seems to have left the population

[cyberfarang]

Attitude adjustment.

That`s a new one.

[Johnniey]

The Military Junta is becoming more desperate.

But it seems like their threats worked on Sia as he has supposedly acknowledged that he "went over the line", and will be more cautious in the future.

So much for the "free speech" which the Dear General highlighted in his speech at the U.N. last week.

He probably didn't want to be on the same side of the line as Pavin Chachavalpongpun. When you see what happens to others, you get careful. Sad thing about all this is that the smartest Thai's are the ones in the most danger.

The intelligentsia in all countries under military rule are often persecuted as you suggest these Thai's are in danger.

I would suggest the smartest Thai's are not living in Thailand.

No, the richest Thais are living abroad.

[tx22cb]

This was the cartoon 1 day before his detention.

Note the boxes on Attitude Adjustment (how prophetic) and Boycotts.

Thank goodness Private Eye does not exist in Thailand.

[kareona]

The latest cartoon of 'Sia' in the Thairath newspaper (October 2, one day before he was summoned) was as follows (I couldn't copy the picture here):

left up: a happy Prayut at the UN: 'The Thai government guards and protects all human rights. We are acting for a good future of the country'

right down: an angry Prayut, steaming from his ears, with the texts 'invite people for attitude adjustments' 'draft constitution allows him to postpone elections' 'economical problems' 'Reforms???'

left under two small mice: one 'He talks good but acts bad' the other: 'He promised to the world community....'

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

[bamnutsak]

Depicting the PM in a negative manner probably didn't win Sia any fans among the Junta?

[boomerangutang]

I recently took a flight on a Chinese-owned airline. The only English language newspapers available were a couple of nationally distributed but small (few articles) papers. The only mention of government was glowing, using terms like, "aimed at increasing peoples' happiness". One main article mentioned Premier Li donating 1 billion dollars from Chinese treasury (to a UN agency?) to prove that China strives for peace. There were no 'Letters to the Editor' in either paper. Is Thailand's press being pushed inexorably closer to Chinese-style press? In a similar vein, there appears to have been a gag order put on the Thailand's press corps to refrain from reporting on the KT murder trial. Why else would there be a dearth of reporting within Thailand, when at the same time, the international press is busy reporting it. Indeed, Time (the world's premier weekly news mag) has had several feature articles on the KT trial.

[Assurancetourix]

Indeed, Time (the world's premier weekly news mag) has had several feature articles on the KT trial.

Not sure Time is premier weekly news mag; I think some japanese newspapers are in front of it .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_newspapers_in_the_world_by_circulation

[Eric Loh]

Guess the only comedian left is the PM himself.

[klauskunkel]

They're cartoons, nobody is bombing, shooting or instigating violence. When people take cartoons too seriously events like the Charlie Hebdo killings in France happen, Something like 11 people died because of cartoons, is that sane? I think someone needs to lighten up, a little light humour is no reason to lose your cool.

I believe this is a common trait of all people in power: they absolutely hate being made fun of and looking ridiculous, especially when it's done on a national, or even global level. It's when they lose credibility, when no one takes them serious anymore and ultimately people lose their fear of these governments. That's why they are preempting so vigorously, it's a serious business.

[FangFerang]

Thais are going to do what Thais are going to do. If the new charter is too oppressive, the backlash will change things. If the government is too easily run by Mob Rule, the backlash will change things.

The entire planet is in a Wait And See Mode....including me. No I don't like all this, at all, but it's not my country. I am glad most of the TVF people are foreign.

[mark131v]

John, John, John 'Those who condemn the actions of the Junta based on this are hypocrites who are just looking for an excuse'

how is it hypocritical for a person to speak out about blatant suppression of any kind of dissent by a person who stole power at the barrel of a gun?

If anything blindly supporting a regime when you have had all the advantages of an education in a free democratic society could be construed as hypocritical or maybe MZurf has it right and you just aint that bright...

[tominbkk]

This was the cartoon 1 day before his detention.

Note the boxes on Attitude Adjustment (how prophetic) and Boycotts.

Thank goodness Private Eye does not exist in Thailand.

ThaiRathCartoonTrans.jpg

Amazing, so innocuous.