PM grumbles at Thai PBS

[rooster59]

PM grumbles at Thai PBS

BANGKOK:-- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha complained against Thai PBS, saying that the public broadcaster tends not to report on the government’s achievements but to report on public complaints against the government.

He said he didn’t mean to demand Thai PBS to take side with him but to present to the public audience of what the government has been doing for the people and ask the people how they feel about the government.

For instance, he said the public broadcaster presented a news item about pot holes on a road but didn’t present anything after the pot holes were filled up and the road repaired.

The prime minister disclosed that he had assigned his men to watch Thai PBS TV programmes to find out if there are any complaints from the public about any problems so that officials concerned will be sent out to fix the problems.

But when the problems were fixed, he complained that Thai PBS didn’t have any report about them, hence, giving the public a wrong impression that the government has done nothing and allowed problems to crop up.

He pointed out that the public broadcaster has had a new director “but nothing has changed because people there still think as they did in the past.

The prime minister warned that he might have to look into the budget of Thai PBS again.

The public broadcaster is funded with the so-called “sin tax” or tax from tobacco and liquor industries which was allocated by the Finance Ministry.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/173499-2/

-- Thai PBS 2016-07-23

[arthurboy]

So Prayuth complains that Thai PBS doesn't cover the junta's achievements enough but focuses too much on people's problems and complaints and not the results.

But, but, but... I thought after the junta installed itself in Thailand, the good general ordered the setting up of many, many local and provincial access points and hotlines for the people to make complaints and for officials to help them with their problems.

In closing, I assume a vast budget was allocated for this wonderfully publicly spirited initiative, including a PR and media network to report what has been achieved...

[noosard]

I would say more pot holes have been made than has been patched

And those patched ones will need patching again shortly if it is anything like the ones around here

[Artisi]

Seems he is asking for a balanced commentary which is not unreasonable.

[stevenl]

I never see any follow up here from any of the media. Seems to be SOP.

[KMartinHandyman]

He just wants a little positive reinforcement and a pat on the head after doing his chores.

[sharecropper]

It's a shame the Thai press are so compliant and muzzled by his vicious regime, rather than free to report on some pretty unpalatable realities in Thailand.

I'd love to see him in front of the world's press.

[djjamie]

"The prime minister warned that he might have to look into the budget of Thai PBS again."

​That echoes the very same narrative of thaksin when he muzzled the media under his vicious regime when the newspapers did not report to his expectations. Except he said he would pull advertising from them as they were not funded by govt budgets.

Can understand it now and it is to be expected as Thailand is run by the military.

Edited July 23, 2016 by djjamie

[waldroj]

In this BPS article, it notes that junta-head complains that "...the public broadcaster tends not to report on the government’s achievements but to report on public complaints against the government..."!

How else can it be "The Broadcaster You Can Trust"?

As for the "pot holes", how fitting for him to cite this, as they are analogous to him and the rest of his usurpers inasmuch as they are always in the road!

[NongKhaiKid]

Seems he is asking for a balanced commentary which is not unreasonable.

I'd agree but for past outbursts where ' balanced ' seems to mean don't say anything negative.

[AGareth2]

cut their revenue

and abolish the sin tax

more people will be happy

[Inn Between]

"He said he didn’t mean to demand Thai PBS to take side with him but......The prime minister warned that he might have to look into the budget of Thai PBS again."

I guess that's the coup leader's approach to subtly dictating his terms.

[baboon]

Seems he is asking for a balanced commentary which is not unreasonable.

How about some commentary on why this regime who 'came to power' supposedly to simply hold the fort for a few months (reconciliation in 4-6 weeks then elections shortly after) are now blethering on about bloody potholes of all things over two years later? What next, a blocked toilet in Klong Ngae?

[Caveat Emptor]

Another veiled threat from a very thin skinned man.

[monty1412]

The issue here is a inherent naivety about what constitutes news....

Thai car overturns and plows into a shopfront, footage of potholes that contributed to the accident and the car laying on its side with demolished som tam cart next to the car all over the TV...... thats news and people watch.....

Driver on road pointing to recently filled in repaired potholes with shopkeepers standing by all nodding in appreciation.... roads made safe is the headline and driver explains how grateful he is for the great road surface as it could be dangerous if it was otherwise..... no TV station would ever hope to keep an audience with this... its the reason why Hurricane/ Tornado hits and not bright sunny clear blue sky days are reported on.

[amdy2206]

Someone else not going as he wants. Who is the next to be grumbled at?

[tartempion]

The good general is no different from posters on Thai Visa, always complaining about something....

[aussieinthailand]

Seems he is asking for a balanced commentary which is not unreasonable.

Yes you are absolutely right, there should be a balanced commentary which is not unreasonable.

Unfortunately he has threatened media and reporters that wish to give a balanced approach on many issues and it is not acceptable by the junta nor it's leader if the issue is not junta friendly.

Is it balanced to criminalize public comment on the draft?

Is it balanced to systematically gaol protesters and their family's because they do not agree with the junta or it's hand picked people to wright the constitution?

Is it balanced to undermine and criminalize people for freedom of expression?

Is it balanced to repeatedly delay elections because the draft constitution keeps being rejected? And then declaring he has no choice but to stay in power?

Sorry mate but denying people of freedom and balance for the last 2 years + then having a cry that he and the junta are not being treated fairly by PBS is more than a bit rich don't you think?

[baboon]

The good general is no different from posters on Thai Visa, always complaining about something....

What, on every channel on national TV having first staged a not a coup?

[aussieinthailand]

"The prime minister warned that he might have to look into the budget of Thai PBS again."

​That echoes the very same narrative of thaksin when he muzzled the media under his vicious regime when the newspapers did not report to his expectations. Except he said he would pull advertising from them as they were not funded by govt budgets.

Can understand it now and it is to be expected as Thailand is run by the military.

"The prim minister warned that he might have to look into the budget of PBS again."

A veiled threat by a junta leader, standard MO. But not as in your face as his infamous I can have you taken out and shot veiled threat to media huh?

Also djjamie, standard MO for you make a negative story about the PM having a cry and you come up with but but but Thaksin. 555555.

Why don't you call a spade a spade? The junta leader threatens and represses freedom of the press and the people of the country, then has a cry if they don't have happy happy nice nice story's about the junta.

BTW did you know that Marks government was more repressive than the boogie man in Dubai? Well I'm sure you are but not willing to Speke the truth huh?

[Berty100]

saying that the public broadcaster tends not to report on the government’s achievements but to report on public complaints against the government.

Well the media anywhere in the world has a tendency to report what is available.

If there are no achievements, but a lot of complaints, then it isn't rocket science to figure out what's gonna be reported.

[BlindMagician]

Typical left right combination face slapping...note the little incentive..might have to look at the budget again.

[klauskunkel]

the PM wants the media to report and follow up on developments of news stories involving the government, because the public impression is that the government does nothing...

Red Bull Heir, Dhammakayo, Tiger Temple...., just mentioning a few recent potholes from a long list

[taony]

I would say more pot holes have been made than has been patched

And those patched ones will need patching again shortly if it is anything like the ones around here

Yeah, he probably shouldn't be telling them to follow up on these kinds of stories.

[tominbkk]

That pesky free speech thing. Better clamp it down, it's harshing my mellow!

[petermik]

The poor PM needs a little TLC from the media for all the wonderful and successful reforms he has implemented in the last couple of years and all he,s getting is more criticism and it,s not fair................put more gold braid and a couple of medals on his uniform and he,ll be a happy chappie again

[Reigntax]

the PM wants the media to report and follow up on developments of news stories involving the government, because the public impression is that the government does nothing...

Red Bull Heir, Dhammakayo, Tiger Temple...., just mentioning a few recent potholes from a long list

Yes but will charge the two 8 year old girls for removing the voting lists. A major prosecution for the junta.

[jerojero]

Whine whine whine.... Any little criticism. Grow up be a man and take it!

[Eric Loh]

He made the same threat in March. Kudos to the director for standing up to the threat and persist in delivering a balance news.

[irwinfc]

perhaps a North Korea-style media would please the good general