Petulant playground politics

COMMENTARY

Published: 20 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

We know the pillars of democracy _ the courage to do the right thing, freedom of expression and all those seemingly important, nice-sounding things _ risk becoming a joke when those in authority start behaving like three-year-old kids.

That has already happened, and the joke is a sad one.

The incident in question is a recent press conference given by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. Mr Chalerm must have realised that Santa would probably not be making a stop in Bang Bon, where his home is, this year, so he went into full pouting mode.

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ricefield
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Discussion 53 : 21 Nov 2012 at 10.3053
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Disc 50 - "Can you provide proof of that directive? Please?" The meeting was held mid-month of June, 2009 in Chiang Mai. All existing Northern stations were required to attend to register and receive their new 300 day temporary licenses. During that time representatives from the government outlined the "recommendations that stations must follow" to have their licenses renewed after 300 days. Can't readily put my hands on the paperwork at the moment but you can search for the info, it's online in Thai.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 52 : 21 Nov 2012 at 08.4352
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Storm in a teacup: in the journalist world there are Somjits that ask some rather direct, probing and sometimes irrelevant questions, because they are dealing with a bunch of sleazy lying politicians. In the politician world there Chalerms who rudely rebuff interviewers because they are constantly harassed and exposed for being wiry politicians. Solution here, if the journalists show unity they would all refuse to show up next time Chalerm has something important to tell the media. If Chalerm wanted to avoid the publicity he would simply and politely decline to commont on the question since it was apparently not relevant. Let the people judge
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ringmaster
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Discussion 51 : 21 Nov 2012 at 07.2351
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brilliant #44 Perhaps we're splitting hairs here but I saw nothing about a "ban" on Somjit. Chalerm just said he wouldn't answer questions with her around - I guess he just makes announcements with no questions taken. Sure, it's childish of him. But this incident also exposes the lack of journalistic integrity of Somjit.
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brilliant
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Discussion 50 : 21 Nov 2012 at 06.2950
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ricefield - "As a license holder, I can tell you, that the Democrat government came out with a directive at a broadcast meeting in Chiang Mai that stated any broadcaster that they deemed "uncomplimentary to the government" would be shut down."

Can you provide proof of that directive? Please?
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ricefield
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Discussion 49 : 21 Nov 2012 at 05.1649
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Disc 47 - "Many red stations were shut down for inciting violence and an overthrow of a legitimate government." You know not about what you speak. From the coup until the last election over 2000 community radio stations were shut down almost entirely red leaning. As a license holder, I can tell you, that the Democrat government came out with a directive at a broadcast meeting in Chiang Mai that stated any broadcaster that they deemed "uncomplimentary to the government" would be shut down.
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facts_only
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Discussion 48 : 21 Nov 2012 at 02.5348
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brilliant 47, "Many red stations were shut down for inciting violence and an overthrow of a legitimate government."

"A court warrant, seen by Human Rights Watch, provided vague authorization for the raids on the ground that the community radio stations have been operating illegally. But among hundreds of unlicensed community radio stations across Thailand, only those closely linked with the Red Shirts have been targeted." - HRW April 27, 2011
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brilliant
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Discussion 47 : 21 Nov 2012 at 02.2347
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facts_only - while you're at it, quote the Human Rights Watch stories and comments on Thaksin and his war on drugs, Tak Bai, his war on the media, etc. Your name should be "Facts_Only That I Want People To Know But Are Half The Story"

Many red stations were shut down for inciting violence and an overthrow of a legitimate government. What did the innocent people at Tak Bai do?
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facts_only
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Discussion 46 : 21 Nov 2012 at 02.0446
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brilliant 39, "This reminds me of Thaksin and how he handled reporters even using the little No sign when he didn't want to answer a question. How immature."

"This [Democrat Party] government came into office saying it was committed to protecting rights, but it has become the most prolific censor in recent Thai history...Between April and August 2010, armed soldiers and police were deployed to shut down more than 47 Red Shirt community radio stations in 13 provinces...Freedom for all Thais has suffered badly because the government and military have cast aside the rule of law to clamp down on critical speech." - Human Rights Watch, April 20
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ricefield
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Discussion 45 : 21 Nov 2012 at 02.0445
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Disc 44 - What you don't seem to understand is the reporter asked, in a pulic scrum, a very personal, very rude and highly volatile question regarding his wife. If I asked you that exact question with a bunch of people around I could guarantee you would hit me for the comment. Find out what the reporter said, and it's not in the English press, before you chastise anyone, even Chalerm.
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brilliant
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Discussion 44 : 21 Nov 2012 at 00.1944
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ringmaster - "Choosing not to answer questions is Chalerm's right and does not impede press freedom."

That isn't what happened. Chalerm banned a reporter. Big difference.
Banning a reporter because you don't like what she writes vs. shutting down red radio stations calling for violence. What's Chalerm so scared about of a little female reporter?
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Petulant playground politics | Bangkok Post: opinion