THAILAND: New media restrictions imposed

Controversial webboards to shut down for 12 days or face permamnent closure

Bangkok Post
Friday, September 22, 2006

By Wassana Nanuam and Komsan Tortermvasana

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry (ICT) has asked webmasters to close political webboards found to contain provocative messages for 12 days. Websites and webboards will face permanent closure if such messages continue to appear, ICT permanent secretary Kraisorn Pornsuthee said after meeting internet service providers and operators of TV stations, radio stations and other ICT businesses.

He said messages could be posted on webboards as long as they do not provoke any misunderstandings.

The ICT is also imposing a ban on SMS phone-ins during television programmes to prevent inappropriate messages being aired, Mr Kraisorn said, adding that reporters can do phone-ins without voicing their personal views. News and information on the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) will be available at the ICT website www.mict.go.th. It can be also be obtained at a press centre by dialling 02 280 2360-3.

A centre has been opened to receive complaints about any misconduct by military officers.

Calls can be made to the centre at 02 297 8307, 24 hours a day.

Meanwhile, the CDR has set up a team of nine military spokesmen to provide information to the media.

Lt-Gen Palangkul Klaharn, director of the Supreme Command's Directorate of Joint Civil Affairs, has been appointed to head the team with Maj Akkara Thiproj, the army's spokesman, as the CDR's deputy spokesman.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, head of the CDR, yesterday invited news editors of television stations to the army headquarters auditorium, to ask for their cooperation in presenting news in a constructive way to boost national solidarity.

Winai Sama-un, vice-president of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand, led a group of Muslim well-wishers in giving flowers to show support for the CDR. They also recited blessings for the CDR.

Mr Winai hailed the coup as a historic milestone in that there had not been a single drop of blood spilled.

The Thai Journalists Association and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association yesterday issued a joint statement and open letter calling on the CDR to give the media the freedom to express and present news.

They also demanded that the interim constitution, which is expected to be drafted within two weeks, reflect articles 39 and 41 of the abolished 1997 constitution, which guaranteed free speech for both the public and the media.

Date Posted: 9/22/2006

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