Junta Orders Media to Discuss Charter 'Respectfully'
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to reporters Tuesday at Government House in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Yes, criticism of the new constitution drafted under the junta’s oversight is allowed in the media, a junta spokesman confirmed today, so long as it is “respectful.”

Such criticism must only use respectful language and avoid causing hatred in society or “damage the ongoing decent atmosphere,” spokesman Winthai Suvaree said amid growing criticism of proposed charter by human rights activists and academics.

“The NCPO never prohibits criticism or expression of opinion,” Col. Winthai said, referring to the formal name of the ruling junta, the National Council for Peace and Order. “But expression of opinion by certain groups and individuals contains unnaturally strong language and manner, which does not appear to be constructive.”

Winthai drew a distinction between critics of the proposed charter, which was released Friday.

“Sometimes, they seem to be intent on inciting hatred or conflict, which will damage the ongoing decent atmosphere,” he said. “We want all expression of opinions to be within appropriate boundaries. Use of words should be in a respectful manner.”

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1454402468


-- Khaosod English 2016-02-02

The Junta and the Junted.

Is that a "look thep" in the background?

Is that a "look thep" in the background?

No thats one of the senior ministers and the one most capable of making good decisions.

By respectful he means positive.

It only gets better and better, right junta supporters?

Were I running a newspaper or periodical, I think I might just print absolutely nothing on the subject, explaining to my readership that it would be far too easy to fall dangerously foul of the authorities if editorial policy is not to praise the charter to the skies and leave it at that.

It is possible to be noisy and silent at the same time - Soviet citizens would protest by simply ignoring the government, and authoritarians simply hate that...

His utterances are becoming more and more Orwellian.

So, obviously saying your group will boycott it, is not 'polite'!

After all, only the Dems/yellows can boycott politely.

Edited February 2, 201610 yr by waitforusalso

The "government" has taken up "respectful" negotiations with Google, Facebook, Line etc. = Impose "self-censorship" including a special "Thailand-Filter", or else.......... !

The original Farang congregation, welcoming "the change" at the time, has shrunk. In the meantime, they could hold their gatherings in a Phone-Booth. Good! They must have seen the light by now.

Cheers.

The Junta and the Junted.

Jilted more like it.................................

Respect works both way's, try it sometime , you might even become popular..................................

Two words: social media.

I would 'respectfully' remind the junta that, in remaining a member of the UN, it has binding obligations to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various other UN agreements to which it is a signatory, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. I would ask the junta to consider the idea that 'respect' may need to be earned rather than required.

I would 'respectfully' remind the junta that, in remaining a member of the UN, it has binding obligations to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various other UN agreements to which it is a signatory, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. I would ask the junta to consider the idea that 'respect' may need to be earned rather than required.

Respect does not need to be earned, these are the "born to rule" - they consider respect to be their birthright.

I am "respectfully" lost for words....

Is that a "look thep" in the background?

No, in the foreground.

This charter is going down, and everyone knows it.

Every time I see a picture of Prayuth in his traditional Thai shirt with the gold pin/medallion, I can't help but think of the uniforms worn by members of the Star ship Enterprise under the command of Jean-Luc Picard. If only he would tap the pin and say 'beam me up Scotty'!

Every time I see a picture of Prayuth in his traditional Thai shirt with the gold pin/medallion, I can't help but think of the uniforms worn by members of the Star ship Enterprise under the command of Jean-Luc Picard. If only he would tap the pin and say 'beam me up Scotty'!

But in this case it would be "beam me up Suthepy" right where the sun doesnt shine.

So saying this constitution is rubbish is not being constructive or positive right ?

Calling a spade a spade is therefore not permitted.

Might as well have no vote, after all, only constructive and positive criticism is allowed, pointing out the flaws of this constitution and why it needs to be rejected outright is not going to be possible.

“The NCPO never prohibits criticism or expression of opinion,” Col. Winthai said,

liar, liar pants on fire...

morons...

" Penalties against people calling for anti-constitutional draft stand proposed" http://prachatai.org/english/node/5821

" Penalties against people calling for anti-constitutional draft stand proposed" http://prachatai.org/english/node/5821

it will be much worse than 2007

" Penalties against people calling for anti-constitutional draft stand proposed" http://prachatai.org/english/node/5821

Lost for words. As I said before, might as well have no referendum at all.

If the Thai population can not see through this crap, then Thailand is totaly screwed.

Why worry about freedon of speech, an elected goverment or dwindling wealth when you can eat somtan...hey Somchai!

Edited February 2, 201610 yr by MorristheRunt

looks like a ambassador from another planet that just beamed onto the Enterprise.

"Please show my geeks and I to my quarters. One of them is in need of recharging."

In other words, the current Military Government does not want any annoying questions that may debate their legitimacy, and they want it understood if critics do speak out there will be a period of attitude adjustment on the horizon for said culprits. 555+

According to the prachatai.org article

All members of the military will promote "correct understanding" of the Charter.

From this it follows logically that

All members of the military will be correct.

Any contradictory statements will be incorrect.

Incorrect statements are not permitted and may be punished.

I wonder if there is anybody left in the Thai media who is not yet totally cowed. We'll find out soon enough.

With the greatest of respect, I have not, nor ever will drink the "kool aid".

they came first for the Communists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist; And then they came for the Jews, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew; And then . . . they came for me . . .