ID :
115674
Thu, 04/08/2010 - 18:29
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/115674
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Thai government shuts down media inciting unrest
BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) – Thailand’s Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) on Thursday reaffirmed it has taken control of the anti-government Red Shirt’s television channel and radio networks after the government declaration of a State of Emergency, and is now seeking to control other certain media which broadcast information affecting national security.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said during a live CRES telecast that the State of Emergency is to assure that the situation will return to normal as soon as possible and that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has no policy to use force to crack down on the protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) as protest leaders keep repeating to their supporters.
"We aim to control certain communication system of certain groups which affect our national security," said Mr Panitan after the government successfully shut down the Red Shirt People’s Television (PTV), adding that the government now seeks to control online and printing media which incite the public to cause chaos.
The government spokesman said that normal mass media will be unaffected as long as it reports factual and useful information to the public, while members of the public can live their lives normally as the State of Emergency will negatively impact only those who attempt to commit an offence.
On Thursday, the government successfully blocked the PTV signal. The station is the primary communications channel between the Red Shirt leaders in Bangkok and its supporters in other provinces, also a communication tool to mobilise Red Shirt supporters nationwide when their leaders plan a mass rally.
Shutting down PTV came as the premier declared a State of Emergency Wednesday evening after the red-shirted protesters stormed the Thai Parliament earlier in the day searching for deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban, forcing the House session to end abruptly.
After learning of the PTV closure, the Red Shirt leaders gave an ultimatum to the government to return the signal, threatening retaliation to the last if it was not done.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd explained the ongoing operations to handle the demonstration, saying after the shutdown of the Red Shirt's PTV and radio stations which broadcast distorted information, the CRES is placing roadblocks to prevent new arrivals from travelling to the rally sites and informing protesters on site
that the protest is against the law.
Col Sansern conceded that the government’s recent attempts to convince the protesters that their rally is unlawful were inaffective due to the influence of PTV.
After that, police will issue summonses for key protest leaders, he said, denying rumours spread among the protesters that officials would surround the protesters and arrest them or that the government will impose a curfew
Col Sansern said that the information was not true.
He reported that after the declaration of State of Emergency, the dwindling number of protesters at 1pm Thursday was recorded at around 3,000 at Ratchaprasong intersection and around 2,500 at Phan Fa Bridge.
The government is providing transportation for protesters who want to leave the protest to return home in the provinces. (TNA)
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said during a live CRES telecast that the State of Emergency is to assure that the situation will return to normal as soon as possible and that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has no policy to use force to crack down on the protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) as protest leaders keep repeating to their supporters.
"We aim to control certain communication system of certain groups which affect our national security," said Mr Panitan after the government successfully shut down the Red Shirt People’s Television (PTV), adding that the government now seeks to control online and printing media which incite the public to cause chaos.
The government spokesman said that normal mass media will be unaffected as long as it reports factual and useful information to the public, while members of the public can live their lives normally as the State of Emergency will negatively impact only those who attempt to commit an offence.
On Thursday, the government successfully blocked the PTV signal. The station is the primary communications channel between the Red Shirt leaders in Bangkok and its supporters in other provinces, also a communication tool to mobilise Red Shirt supporters nationwide when their leaders plan a mass rally.
Shutting down PTV came as the premier declared a State of Emergency Wednesday evening after the red-shirted protesters stormed the Thai Parliament earlier in the day searching for deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban, forcing the House session to end abruptly.
After learning of the PTV closure, the Red Shirt leaders gave an ultimatum to the government to return the signal, threatening retaliation to the last if it was not done.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd explained the ongoing operations to handle the demonstration, saying after the shutdown of the Red Shirt's PTV and radio stations which broadcast distorted information, the CRES is placing roadblocks to prevent new arrivals from travelling to the rally sites and informing protesters on site
that the protest is against the law.
Col Sansern conceded that the government’s recent attempts to convince the protesters that their rally is unlawful were inaffective due to the influence of PTV.
After that, police will issue summonses for key protest leaders, he said, denying rumours spread among the protesters that officials would surround the protesters and arrest them or that the government will impose a curfew
Col Sansern said that the information was not true.
He reported that after the declaration of State of Emergency, the dwindling number of protesters at 1pm Thursday was recorded at around 3,000 at Ratchaprasong intersection and around 2,500 at Phan Fa Bridge.
The government is providing transportation for protesters who want to leave the protest to return home in the provinces. (TNA)
