THAILAND: Unhappy with foreign media

Authorities begin focusing on groups lobbying foreign media on behalf of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

The Straits Times
Saturday, April 25, 2009

By Nirmal Ghosh

BANGKOK --- THAILAND'S deepening political conflict is increasingly being shrouded in a fog of propaganda -- and a focal point of the murky battle is the foreign media.

The government has made known its growing frustration with foreign media agencies quoting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and "red shirt" leader Jakrapob Penkair, who is in hiding.

This has spawned apprehension in a media community that has faced pressure for months from both sides of a society split down the middle over the conflict.

Mr Satit Wongnongtaey, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, stated explicitly on Wednesday that the Thai government was "watching some sections of the foreign media who are in and outside of Thailand who act (as if they) serve Thaksin." The focus is on a "group" ostensibly lobbying foreign media on behalf of the former prime minister.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on Tuesday, Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks articulated the government's frustration. "Thaksin Shinawatra during his interviews continues to portray himself as a self-styled champion of democracy," he said. But during his time as prime minister, he showed a "willingness to systematically erode all democratic institutions...violate all known aspects of human rights, intimidate and interfere with the media."

Thaksin "repeatedly used majoritarianism (by) surrounding the constitutional court with mobs saying that people elected by a majority can do no wrong (and) he raised the level of cronyism and conflict of interest to a level previously unseen."

Dr Buranaj added: "I can't help but wonder just a little bit how even at present Khun Thaksin is still getting a lot of traction as a champion of democracy in some international media outlets as well as Thai media outlets after he clearly indicates that he has instigated violence."

Thaksin, he said, "has gone so far as to thank the mob for rising up against the government." He added: "One can't help but wonder whether partly it is due to some of the successful control over the media through lobbyists."

At home, the mainstream Thai media -- barring a handful of journalists and independent commentators -- was pro-establishment even before the current emergency decree, which gives the government the power to censor the press. At demonstrations, red shirt supporters have often shouted out to or pleaded with foreign journalists to report "the truth."

Date Posted: 4/25/2009