People's "right To Know" Suffered Under Thaksin

[Jai Dee]

People's right to know suffered under Thaksin : PM

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Tuesday the "people's right to know" had suffered under the previous administration of Thaksin Shinawatra because of his government's "carrot and stick" approach to media management.

"Report positively and you will be rewarded, report negatively and suffer the consequences," said Surayud, in his prepared speech at a dinner hosted by the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand.

Surayud said Thai people have over the past five years "suffered from a deformed media environment. Broadcast media were muzzled, news coverage was statedirected. I believe that is called propaganda."

Regarding the September 19 coup, Surayud said the Council for National Security (CNS) will be issuing a White Paper to explain why they had to oust the Thaksin regime.

While falling short of justifying the CNS's action, Surayud said he would not have accepted the premiership if he wasn't absolutely sure that the motives for the "military intervention in the governance of this country were entirely honourable and in the public interest, and that their actions were taken only with the greatest reluctance.

"Firstly, what Thailand has experienced over the last five years may have had the form of democracy, but certainly not the content," Surayud said.

"It was the camouflage of electoral politics subverting the true democratic principles of the rule of law, justice for all, honesty and transparency in government, and respect for human rights. This subversion of democratic principles was not the mandate given to the government by the people; rather, it was a mandate unilaterally shaped by a political party that pulled together unprecedented political and financial power, power so great that all the checks and balances so carefully built into the 1997 Constitution were neutralised," he said.

Besides the need for a freer media and the rational behind the coup, Surayud said a a successful political reform remained the government's top priority.

"By successful political reform I mean that in one year's time we will have a new Constitution, ratified by the people in a national referendum, which will form the basis for a more just, more egalitarian and more democratic society," he said.

He said the government intends to stimulate a broad, inclusive national debate focusing on the "choices about what sort of society we wish to live in and what sort of society we wish our children to inherit."

He said the government plans to form a Political Development Council to stimulate this national debate and accelerate the pace of political reform.

"Let me emphasise at this time that I am not talking about governmentdirected political reform. This Interim Government does not have the moral authority to impose its ideas concerning political reform on our citizens. It will be their choices, hopefully made from a more informed view point," he said.

The second major challenge, said Surayud, is the reduction in social and political tension within all sectors of the society.

He pointed to the three Malay speaking southernmost provinces where "violent death has become a daily tragedy."

Surayud said his "unreserved apology" to the residents of the deep South reflects his notion that "every citizen of Thailand must share the burden of this situation."

Besides the dropping of all charges against the 92 Tak Bai protestors and the reinstatement of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre to help with national reconciliation, the government plans to utilise the recommendations from the National Reconciliation Commission as the basic guidelines for the government's policy towards the restive region.

On the issue of inequality, in spite of 40 years of rapid economic development, Thailand today still has far too many poor people who have not benefited from this economic development to the extent that they should have.

"This great divide between the rich and the poor is also a divide in terms of opportunity. In a fair, just and democratic society each citizen should have equal opportunities for education, health, a productive working life and a graceful retirement. This is not the situation today."

Surayud said the government plans to undertake far reaching and drastic reforms in the administration of justice, in the police and in the permanent strengthening of anticorruption agencies.

"I understand that between such good intentions and their effective implementation many politicians' promises have been lost. But I am not a politician and I am not bound by special interests. Moreover, I have the authority and the power that comes with being an appointed Prime Minister to act quickly and decisively," Surayud said.

He said Thailand will continue to be an open market economy and that his notion of growth embraces not only competitiveness but also sustainable development, social justice and contentment.

Source: The Nation - 7 November 2006

[Maizefarmer]

Some very crediable comments but one can't help but feel there is a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black in some of what is asaid.

The coments regards Thailand's 40 year march to developement while having left a large sector of it's population mired in poverty is bang on and 100% accurate.

It nevers ceases to amaze me that that large sector mired in ongoing poverty is the 48% of the population engaged in agricultural production but who generate only 6% - 8% of the total GDP.

Half the country generates just over one twentieth of its total turnover!!!!!!!!!!

Incredible, absolutely incredible.

I would be very keen to hear Surayud's comments on just this one statistic if nothing else.

Tim

[Robski]

A very comprehensive and rational announcement, of course this is politics and I'm as cynical as they get, but it is refreshing, being a westerner, to hear a 'politician' admit that there are problems, and with the amount clarification going on at the moment it really seems that they are trying to make the basis for change. I hope so for all the poor people of Thailand.

[ColPyat]

Some very crediable comments but one can't help but feel there is a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black in some of what is asaid.

Or, from the frying pan into the oven...

Now we have army in TV stations, clear government instructions which news can be brought and which not. In case of violations editors and reporters are called in and reprimanded. Editors are now instructed what contains positive and constructive news, and are regularly reminded of that. Reporters are forced into self censorship.

But yes, we have martial law, that is going to be lifted as soon as possible, at the appropriate time, not now as there are undercurrents.

Nice to know how well we are infomed now, suddenly.

[Jai Dee]

Print media 'will soon be disillusioned'

NHR commissioner says curbs would soon be imposed on news dailies

Most Thai print media still support the coup makers but they will soon become disillusioned, predicts National Human Rights Commissioner Charan Ditta-apichai.

Charan said the print media could not fool themselves for much longer as the reality of the country being ruled by dictators was becoming all too apparent.

He made the remarks during a symposium organised by the commission yesterday about Internet-based media and freedom under military rule.

"They're fooling themselves now that they have freedom but soon they will recognise it's otherwise - that their rights are being curbed," said Charan, as he listened to different Internet-based media practitioners explain how their freedom of expression had been curbed under the new military rule.

Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, web master of 19sep.org, an anti-coup website that was repeatedly blocked by the new regime, said he would continue to exercise his right to oppose the new regime and refuse to accept its legitimacy.

"The problem now is that [since the coup tore up the 1997 constitution] we do not know what breaking the law means. Opposing the coup is now regarded as being illegal. But I wonder what kind of illegality people like me are guilty of?" he said, adding the junta's order, issued just hours after the September 19 coup, that all critical Internet-based media shut down or have their content destroyed was "crazy".

Jeeranuch Premchaiporn, manager of Prachatai.com, a critical independent web-based news site said the big question was whether Thais believed in rights to freedom of expression or not. "Society tends to demand controls of expression rather than its protection," she said.

Jeeranuch urged the National Human Rights Commission to issue a statement and make more concrete efforts to protect Internet-based media, but no concrete response was made by Charan.

Many speakers, including Somkiat Tangnamo, webmaster of midnightuniv.org, another site which faced a clampdown, heavily criticised the ICT Ministry for the dubious tactics it employed in shutting down dissenting sites.

"People who want to use their moral yardstick to measure others' expressions should first look at themselves and see how straight their own moral yardstick is," he said, in reference to the coup makers.

"The National Human Rights Commission should be the first to refuse acceptance of [the junta's] order to censor the media."

Charan said the trend to curb Internet-based media is likely to continue despite the Kingdom now being under an interim administration.

Although the ICT Ministry was invited to join the symposium none of their representatives were present.

Source: The Nation - 8 November 2006

[kmart]

Some very crediable comments but one can't help but feel there is a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black in some of what is asaid.

Or, from the frying pan into the oven...

Now we have army in TV stations, clear government instructions which news can be brought and which not. In case of violations editors and reporters are called in and reprimanded. Editors are now instructed what contains positive and constructive news, and are regularly reminded of that. Reporters are forced into self censorship.

But yes, we have martial law, that is going to be lifted as soon as possible, at the appropriate time, not now as there are undercurrents.

Nice to know how well we are infomed now, suddenly.

Always got to be careful what you wish for in Thailand.

[1Lucky]

I was at the dinner and I found the later question and answer session (not covered by the Nation) more interesting than the preprepared speech which the Nation appears to have set out pretty fully. The following are quotes from the notes I took. I make no comment on them and as I am only quoting the Prime Minister (who impressively spoke in English throughout) himself I assume this is not a matter for censorship:

When asked about the current media restrictions in Thailand including rumours of soldiers acting as censors in newspapers offices:

PM Sarayud: "I think right now there's no restrictions in terms of freedom of the press...there's no restrictions at all."

When asked about a return to democracy:

PM Sarayud: "I think it will be a Thai way...." "I cannot know how long it will take" "I hope I won't be around that time [ie 2008] as Prime Minister" "We are trying our best to speed up the process of drafting the new constitution" "I cannot put on the date"

When asked about resolving the position in the South of Thailand:

PM Sarayud: "The only condition is no separation" "They should have the Islamic law in practice, Sharia"

I hope when combined with the nation's article this helps gives a balanced account of proceedings.

Lucky

[OlRedEyes]

People's right to know suffered under Thaksin : PM

"This Interim Government does not have the moral authority to impose its ideas concerning political reform on our citizens. It will be their choices, hopefully made from a more informed view point," he said.

.............

"But I am not a politician and I am not bound by special interests. Moreover, I have the authority and the power that comes with being an appointed Prime Minister to act quickly and decisively," Surayud said.

Source: The Nation - 7 November 2006

Ummm... sounds like I heard it all before?

[ColPyat]

When asked about the current media restrictions in Thailand including rumours of soldiers acting as censors in newspapers offices:

PM Sarayud: "I think right now there's no restrictions in terms of freedom of the press...there's no restrictions at all."

Why then only last week was ITV called in and reprimanded by the government for airing the interview with the taxidriver that was made two weeks before he killed himself?

[jumnien]

The press that was reportedly completely dominated by Thaksin continuously published articles critical of his administration. Now that the press has been "liberated" we don't see nearly the amount of daily slandering of the present government, very little at all.

[1Lucky]

When asked about the current media restrictions in Thailand including rumours of soldiers acting as censors in newspapers offices:

PM Sarayud: "I think right now there's no restrictions in terms of freedom of the press...there's no restrictions at all."

Why then only last week was ITV called in and reprimanded by the government for airing the interview with the taxidriver that was made two weeks before he killed himself?

sorry I did say I wasn't expressing any views on the quotes only quoting them. this itself is because of the strong censorship thaivisa states that it is bound by and therefore so are posters on this site. You may well draw your own conclusions from that. I of course am not allowed to comment on it. there have been some revealing accounts expressed on this subject by at recent foreign correspondent's club meetings by people who are currently working in thai news offices describing the conditions they work under. again I self-censor myself from repeating those views.

[ColPyat]

sorry I did say I wasn't expressing any views on the quotes only quoting them. this itself is because of the strong censorship thaivisa states that it is bound by and therefore so are posters on this site. You may well draw your own conclusions from that. I of course am not allowed to comment on it. there have been some revealing accounts expressed on this subject by at recent foreign correspondent's club meetings by people who are currently working in thai news offices describing the conditions they work under. again I self-censor myself from repeating those views.

I didn't mean to attack you at all with my post, thanks for posting these comments.

[1Lucky]

Colpyat - no worries - it was just in case my original posting was a bit too subtle.

Lucky

[bkkandrew]

One of the great ironies of the Junta's policy stance is that they carry on a reforming agenda in a zealous way. Toxin could at least stand behind his electoral mandate (as flawed and corrupt as it was) as a way of justifying his "reforms", such as 2500 extra-judicial killings. The danger with the current faceless crew is that they still announce 100 initiatives per hour, that annoy/delight/disenfranchise/empoverish/enrich/etc.etc. without any mandate whatsoever. In a sense, the Junta have very little room for such manoeuvre, as they have no electoral justification. This will result, unless great luck is on their side, in a populace identifying with decisions they regard as wrong and rising up in defiance.

A worrying aspect of this thesis is that a large proportion of the people likely to take such a view are uneducated and poor, just the type that can make the quantum leap on issues, such as "there would not have been so much flooding if Taxsin was in charge"...

Edited November 9, 2006 by bkkandrew

[Plus]

In a sense, the Junta have very little room for such manoeuvre, as they have no electoral justification. This will result, unless great luck is on their side, in a populace identifying with decisions they regard as wrong and rising up in defiance.

That would depend on whether the public is annoyed/delighted with their performance. Why would they rise against something they like?

Generals kept most of Thaksin's programs unchanged, and even stopped collecting 30 baht.

Personally, Surayud is also quite an attractive figure - he oozes experience, wisdom and confidence. Not as exciting as Thaksin, sure, but all around nice guy you can always turn to.

No, I don't think the masses will rise. There's an interesting characteristic in Thais - they don't cry over spilt milk. If Thaksin no more, so be it. They don't dwell in the past.

Let's see how it plays out. I might be wrong.