TJA calls for press freedom



BANGKOK: -- Thai Journalist Association today called on Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House and handed over him a black T-shirt with a big green pigeon and little white pigeons design printed front of the shirt.

The pigeon designs represented freedom of the press in reporting.

The call today led by TJA president Wanchai Wongmeechai was a movement of the media representative to mark the World Press Freedom Day.

Journalists reporting cabinet news also joined to mark the significant day by wearing the black T-shirts bearing the pigeon symbols.

The press association intended to submit a statement calling for free press freedom to the prime minister but was asked by the team of government spokesman to hold it, fearing it might set a precedent for other groups calling on the prime minister to follow suit.

At one point during the call, the prime minister asked if the freedom the press enjoyed at present was not enough.

However he said if one restriction is lifted, another will be restored to replace it.

He then blessed all media representatives to be happy on this day and asked them to work for the benefit of the country.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/161940


-- Thai PBS 2016-05-03

Article 44.

Pigeons are outlawed.

Next.

The wit and wisdom of the PM shall be preserved for all to see and reflect on his outstanding qualities, whatever they might be.

Further, in my opinion, more revealing reporting from Khaosod English.

"When Prayuth turned back to walk away,Yuwadee Thanyasiri, a senior reporter who has covered Government House for more than 30 years said “Freedom of the press is freedom of the people.” Prayuth turned back and asked who said that.

After Yuwadee gave her name, Prayuth pointed at her and said “Watch yourself.”"

Freedom of the Press "Thainess" style.

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by BigBadGeordie

and the PM's security is a joke. Prison type zip gun could be rolled up in that shirt.

or a very long sharp knife.

However he said if one restriction is lifted, another will be restored to replace it.

Ahhh, the freedom of absolute power.

Thank you Prayut.

TJA Wanchai call for press freedom , this comes about once a year , people tend to forget that not only is the freedom of the press under the junta been eroded , it has been under stress for some time, particularly under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration , who would withdraw licenses pull the plug on radio stations , on unfavorable media attention, refuse reporters access to press stops and in general were complete ar!!ls if they didn't get their way , Thaksin went ballistic about his private company Shincorp getting bad press in the billion US Dollar sale to Singapore Government company Tamarisk holdings , when he paid no taxes, err the list is endless........................ .

Article 44.

Pigeons are outlawed.

Next.

In the institutionalized inequality of Thailand's core cultural code, Sakdina, the statues sit on and crap on the pigeon population.

Further, in my opinion, more revealing reporting from Khaosod English.

"When Prayuth turned back to walk away,Yuwadee Thanyasiri, a senior reporter who has covered Government House for more than 30 years said “Freedom of the press is freedom of the people.” Prayuth turned back and asked who said that.

After Yuwadee gave her name, Prayuth pointed at her and said “Watch yourself.”"

Freedom of the Press "Thainess" style.

Hmm attitude adjustment incoming. What a disgrace.

TJA Wanchai call for press freedom , this comes about once a year , people tend to forget that not only is the freedom of the press under the junta been eroded , it has been under stress for some time, particularly under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration , who would withdraw licenses pull the plug on radio stations , on unfavorable media attention, refuse reporters access to press stops and in general were complete ar!!ls if they didn't get their way , Thaksin went ballistic about his private company Shincorp getting bad press in the billion US Dollar sale to Singapore Government company Tamarisk holdings , when he paid no taxes, err the list is endless........................ .

Don't know how many times it needs saying, but if the people didn't like what Thaksin was doing they could vote him out. Whereas now....

I thought it was a dove that represented peace not a pigeon.

TJA Wanchai call for press freedom , this comes about once a year , people tend to forget that not only is the freedom of the press under the junta been eroded , it has been under stress for some time, particularly under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration , who would withdraw licenses pull the plug on radio stations , on unfavorable media attention, refuse reporters access to press stops and in general were complete ar!!ls if they didn't get their way , Thaksin went ballistic about his private company Shincorp getting bad press in the billion US Dollar sale to Singapore Government company Tamarisk holdings , when he paid no taxes, err the list is endless........................ .

The administration that was booted out the best part of ten years ago. And that's your argument?

Night night, don't let the Thaksin bite...

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by baboon

The administration that was booted out the best part of ten years ago. And that's your argument?

Whats your point exactly ..that the Shinawatra family have not been heard of in the last 10 years?

Funny how the Shinawatra family appear to be free to issue press statements against the so called junta while all the time Thailand doesn't have a free press?

And we can freely read all about this on khaosod ..which must be an illusion because Thailand doesn't have a free press right?

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by Brizo

The administration that was booted out the best part of ten years ago. And that's your argument?

Whats your point exactly ..that the Shinawatra family have not been heard of in the last 10 years?

Funny how the Shinawatra family appear to be free to issue press statements against the so called junta while all the time Thailand doesn't have a free press?

And we can freely read all about this on khaosod ..which must be an illusion because Thailand doesn't have a free press right?

Are you asking what my point is or telling me what my point is?

Does the Shinawatra family issue press statements via the Thai media or are they actually picked up from agencies such as Reuters or whoever and reported on by the likes of Khaosod? Do you think Putin, Obama, Bob Mugabe, Cameron or whoever else speaks personally to each and every journalist tasked with writing about them?

And no: Thailand does not have a free press.

The administration that was booted out the best part of ten years ago. And that's your argument?

Whats your point exactly ..that the Shinawatra family have not been heard of in the last 10 years?

Funny how the Shinawatra family appear to be free to issue press statements against the so called junta while all the time Thailand doesn't have a free press?

And we can freely read all about this on khaosod ..which must be an illusion because Thailand doesn't have a free press right?

I could give you a list of things that can't be reported on in Thialand, but my post would be deleted, my posting privileges suspended, and I might get an unpleasant visit from men in uniform. So I suggest you do a little research into the copies of the New York Times that were printed in Thailand with big white spaces where stories had been deleted, or the issues of The Economist that weren't distributed in Thailand because of an article that strayed into forbidden territory.

So yes, Thailand definitely doesn't have a free press.

Are you asking what my point is or telling me what my point is?

I'm saying if you think the Shinatra family have become an irrelevance in Thailand(which is the point you seem to be making) then you you haven't been paying attention.

Does the Shinawatra family issue press statements via the Thai media or are they actually picked up from agencies such as Reuters or whoever and reported on by the likes of Khaosod?

All of the above, if you had been paying attention you would have noticed the ramping up of their media campaign just last month, suspiciously just before these new protests organised by people close them.....coincidence of course not.

Yingluck did a special interview at the Khaosod offices just last month.

The fact you seem to think Khaosod reporting 2nd hand anti-junta narrative still means Thailand has no free press leads me to believe you don't understand the concept of a free press.

If you want to blame someone for the lack of press freedoms in Thailand then look no further than the Shinatra family using every opportunity to sow discontent on the streets of Bangkok.

And no: Thailand does not have a free press.

Only in the same way that no country has a completely free press, they are all restricted in one way or another.

eg Bradley Manning is serving a 35 year prison sentence for bringing the truth to the public and Edward Snowden is on the run in Russia for doing the same.

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by Brizo

^^

As you wish. Sophistry is not something I can be particularly bothered in dealing with.

^^

As you wish. Sophistry is not something I can be particularly bothered in dealing with.

You are just plain wrong and misinformed + have no counterpoint to the presented facts.

The accusation of "Sophistry" is just a smoke bomb so you can make your escape.

Are you asking what my point is or telling me what my point is?

I'm saying if you think the Shinatra family have become an irrelevance in Thailand(which is the point you seem to be making) then you you haven't been paying attention.

Does the Shinawatra family issue press statements via the Thai media or are they actually picked up from agencies such as Reuters or whoever and reported on by the likes of Khaosod?

All of the above, if you had been paying attention you would have noticed the ramping up of their media campaign just last month, suspiciously just before these new protests organised by people close them.....coincidence of course not.

Yingluck did a special interview at the Khaosod offices just last month.

The fact you seem to think Khaosod reporting 2nd hand anti-junta narrative still means Thailand has no free press leads me to believe you don't understand the concept of a free press.

If you want to blame someone for the lack of press freedoms in Thailand then look no further than the Shinatra family using every opportunity to sow discontent on the streets of Bangkok.

And no: Thailand does not have a free press.

Only in the same way that no country has a completely free press, they are all restricted in one way or another.

eg Bradley Manning is serving a 35 year prison sentence for bringing the truth to the public and Edward Snowden is on the run in Russia for doing the same.

Quote: "All of the above, if you had been paying attention you would have noticed the ramping up of their media campaign just last month, suspiciously just before these new protests organised by people close them.....coincidence of course not. Yingluck did a special interview at the Khaosod offices just last month. The fact you seem to think Khaosod reporting 2nd hand anti-junta narrative still means Thailand has no free press leads me to believe you don't understand the concept of a free press. If you want to blame someone for the lack of press freedoms in Thailand then look no further than the Shinatra family using every opportunity to sow discontent on the streets of Bangkok"

You reverse causality!

The reason why the Shinawatras have been so present in the press is because the Junta has served them several opportunities on a golden plate: draft charter, referendum bill, extension of use of art.44, etc...

Had the Junta promoted a democratic charter, organised a fair referendum, etc...there would be no convincing critical comments from the shinawatras, no discontent in the street, etc...

It's the current policy that is sowing discontent.

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by candide

It's the current policy that is sowing discontent.

You don't find it a little odd this discontent only appears when the red shirts do.

No red shirts no discontent.

It a bit like how every time you see punch and judy they always seem to be in their little tent.

Then you realise it's just a hidden guy and some puppets.

The real truth is the current administration might be the best government Thailand has EVER had.

Crackdown on corruption and the cops. Few big heads have rolled including some married into the Royal Family.

The economy is booming and growth is envy of every western country.

Women's rights on the up.

Big drive on municipal programs to help the poor.

Wider distribution of wealth.

Low unemployment.

Thais have money in their pockets and the general standard of living is relatively high for the region..

Thais have simply never had it so good(if a western lifestyle is the yard stick).

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by Brizo

Are you asking what my point is or telling me what my point is?

I'm saying if you think the Shinatra family have become an irrelevance in Thailand(which is the point you seem to be making) then you you haven't been paying attention.

Does the Shinawatra family issue press statements via the Thai media or are they actually picked up from agencies such as Reuters or whoever and reported on by the likes of Khaosod?

All of the above, if you had been paying attention you would have noticed the ramping up of their media campaign just last month, suspiciously just before these new protests organised by people close them.....coincidence of course not.

Yingluck did a special interview at the Khaosod offices just last month.

The fact you seem to think Khaosod reporting 2nd hand anti-junta narrative still means Thailand has no free press leads me to believe you don't understand the concept of a free press.

If you want to blame someone for the lack of press freedoms in Thailand then look no further than the Shinatra family using every opportunity to sow discontent on the streets of Bangkok.

And no: Thailand does not have a free press.

Only in the same way that no country has a completely free press, they are all restricted in one way or another.

eg Bradley Manning is serving a 35 year prison sentence for bringing the truth to the public and Edward Snowden is on the run in Russia for doing the same.

I do not think the Shinawatra family is to blame for the lack of freedom of press. In fact some of the relevant laws that limits what one can write in Thailand have been put in place well before Thaksin came to power. One could make the argument that 4 "Shinawatra" governments could have reversed or change some of those laws, which they obviously didn't, neither did the Abhisit administration by the way.

There is no doubt that since 2014, post coup, freedom of press has taken a nose dive in the wrong direction. Just as freedom of expression is under heavy fire. None of the above were put in place by any member of the Shinawatra family, unless you believe Prayuth and co are part of that family...

By the way, maybe you should not accuse another poster of not being familiar with freedom of press. Certainly not if you claim that Thailand's freedom of press is not free in the same way as the US. The two examples you mentioned have absolutely nothing to do with free press, and no journalist writing about either of them have been jailed, or underwent attitude adjustment settings.

The word you are looking for is treason in those cases, it has zero to do with freedom of press. I am amazed at the irrelevancy and inaccuracy of your statement. Deal with it, Thailand's freedom of press has taken a nose dive and is no way comparable to any western country, period.

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by sjaak327

It's the current policy that is sowing discontent.

You don't find it a little odd this discontent only appears when the red shirts do.

No red shirts no discontent.

It a bit like how every time you see punch and judy they always seem to be in their little tent.

Then you realise it's just a hidden guy and some puppets.

The real truth is the current administration might be the best government Thailand has EVER had.

Crackdown on corruption and the cops. Few big heads have rolled including some married into the Royal Family.

The economy is booming and growth is envy of every western country.

Women's rights on the up.

Big drive on municipal programs to help the poor.

Wider distribution of wealth.

Low unemployment.

Thais have money in their pockets and the general standard of living is relatively high for the region..

Thais have simply never had it so good(if a western lifestyle is the yard stick).

This post really takes the cake, pretty much all that you have written is baloney. The economy isn't booming, household debt has risen sharply, there is no crackdown on corruption and there are precious little western countries that need to be envious off Thailand's growth rate. Deficit has been reported at over 3.5 in just six months and all kinds of freedoms that both the 97 and 2007 constitutions provided have gone completely or have been severely limited.

I think it is very safe to say that this is by far the worst government for this century, nothing comes close, not even the previous junta, and that's saying something...

Your remark that there is no discontent without red shirts illustrates how far you are removed from reality, astonishing.

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by sjaak327

I do not think the Shinawatra family is to blame for the lack of freedom of press. In fact some of the relevant laws that limits what one can write in Thailand have been put in place well before Thaksin came to power. One could make the argument that 4 "Shinawatra" governments could have reversed or change some of those laws, which they obviously didn't, neither did the Abhisit administration by the way.

That is not what I mean at all.

If the press were given a freehand, it would be mis-used by Shinawatra family to destabilise the country with a view to seizing back power. Even with the current restrictions they are already doing this very thing, albiet in a limited but still very public way,

It's for this same reason the elections have been suspended ...it would only allow the Shinawatras back into power.

I do not think the Shinawatra family is to blame for the lack of freedom of press. In fact some of the relevant laws that limits what one can write in Thailand have been put in place well before Thaksin came to power. One could make the argument that 4 "Shinawatra" governments could have reversed or change some of those laws, which they obviously didn't, neither did the Abhisit administration by the way.

That is not what I mean at all.

If the press were given a freehand, it would be mis-used by Shinawatra family to destabilise the country with a view to seizing back power. Even with the current restrictions they are already doing this very thing, albiet in a limited but still very public way,

It's for this same reason the elections have been suspended ...it would only allow the Shinawatras back into power.

Sure, heaven forbid one would let the Thai electorate have a say in who they deem fit to run their country. You do realize that the opposition has their own newspapers and tv stations right ? Maybe you should respect and accept the Thai electorate, they are a lot smarter than you give them credit for...

This post really takes the cake, pretty much all that you have written is baloney. The economy isn't booming, household debt has risen sharply...

Talking about baloney ..using household debt to take the temperature of an economy?

If debt is rising it's because Thais are becoming rich enough to borrow....just like in the west.

Growth and the unemployment levels are the best indicators of a healthy economy.

Sure, heaven forbid one would let the Thai electorate have a say in who they deem fit to run their country.

Thailand has recently been pulled back from the brink of a civil war, there is nothing to be gained from introducing a new uncertainty which an election would bring.

What happens when the red shirts lose? ....junta conspiracy right? ...everybody take to the streets?

Stability FTW!

Maybe you should respect and accept the Thai electorate, they are a lot smarter than you give them credit for...

Maybe I see all the educated and media savvy farang with the wool pulled over their eyes....so I know the Thais would have no chance.

Apart from the situation in the south, Thailand was at no point in time on the brink of a civil war. The longer this lot is in power, the more likely such a civil war will occur. One only needs to see that discontent isn't only present with red shirts, and one only needs to be aware of Thailand's history to see that.

As to wool pulled over ones eyes, I can only remark that your initial post to which I responded is a classic example of this. You re-iterate Junta propaganda, even when most of it is verifiably untrue. Whilst at the same time ignoring the blatant human rights abuses all in the name of stability. A placebo stability, but you will get the wool pulled from your eyes soon enough..

The PM ' blessed ' them ?

Has he taken on the monk hood or should that be sainthood too ?

Incidentally, in a BBC report a day or so ago Jonathan Head spoke of press freedom and while criticising LoS said it was still relatively free compared to some its neighbours. I think he meant free to print what's approved and acceptable.

Further, in my opinion, more revealing reporting from Khaosod English.

"When Prayuth turned back to walk away,Yuwadee Thanyasiri, a senior reporter who has covered Government House for more than 30 years said “Freedom of the press is freedom of the people.” Prayuth turned back and asked who said that.

After Yuwadee gave her name, Prayuth pointed at her and said “Watch yourself.”"

Freedom of the Press "Thainess" style.

OH THE IRONY,,,,,,,,,,, International freedom of the press day and he comes out with this little gem

AA for the 30 + year vet government jurno coming soon, And please you few junta fan boys, just what is so great about a (PM) junta leader telling this woman to "watch yourself" after her comment "freedom of the press is freedom of the people".

Why not come out now and admit it, you backed the wrong bloke.

Quote

"When government that fears the people has liberty when people fears the government there is tyranny". Thomas Jefferson.

Edited May 4, 201610 yr by aussieinthailand

OH THE IRONY,,,,,,,,,,, International freedom of the press day and he comes out with this little gem:cheesy:

AA for the 30 + year vet government jurno coming soon, And please you few junta fan boys, just what is so great about a (PM) junta leader telling this woman to "watch yourself" after her comment "freedom of the press is freedom of the people".

If the press in Thailand has no freedom how do you explain the Thai press reporting this incident with the PM ?

Edited May 4, 201610 yr by Brizo

OH THE IRONY,,,,,,,,,,, International freedom of the press day and he comes out with this little gem:cheesy:

AA for the 30 + year vet government jurno coming soon, And please you few junta fan boys, just what is so great about a (PM) junta leader telling this woman to "watch yourself" after her comment "freedom of the press is freedom of the people".

If the press in Thailand has no freedom how do you explain the Thai press reporting this incident with the PM ?

The TJA ask for press freedom and you try to explain us that there is currently no press freedom problem in Thailand. Yeah, yeah.....