(RAT/IFEX) – The following letter of concern over the harassment of a Thai newspaper was sent to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on 15 July 1999 by RAT and the South East Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA): The Reporters’ Association of Thailand (RAT) SOUTHEAST ASIAN PRESS ALLIANCE (SEAPA) 55 Mansion 8, Rajdamnoen Ave, Bangkok 10200 THAILAND TEL.66-2-629-0022/653-7393 […]
(RAT/IFEX) – The following letter of concern over the harassment of a Thai
newspaper was sent to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on 15 July 1999 by RAT
and the South East Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA):
The Reporters’ Association of Thailand (RAT)
SOUTHEAST ASIAN PRESS ALLIANCE (SEAPA)
55 Mansion 8, Rajdamnoen Ave, Bangkok 10200 THAILAND
TEL.66-2-629-0022/653-7393 — FAX 66-2-280-0337
15 July 1999
SENT BY FAX to 66-2-282-8587 & 282-8631 (Office of The Prime Minister of
Thailand)
His Excellency Chuan Leekpai
Prime Minister
Government House
THAILAND
Your Excellency:
The Reporters’ Association of Thailand (RAT) and Southeast Asian Press
Alliance (SEAPA) is deeply alarmed over an act of intimidation directed
against the Thai Post newspaper by the private secretary of Deputy Prime
Minister Trairong Suwankiri.
Late on the evening of July 13, Chalie Noppawong Na Aryutha, the private
secretary to Trairong, and a group of eight armed men entered the offices of
the Thai Post, a Thai language daily, supposedly to seek clarification of
alleged errors in a story that had appeared in the paper about Trairong.
According to journalists at the paper, the men appeared threatening and
their actions amounted to a tense occupation of the editorial offices after
business hours.
In a story published in the July 15 edition of the Thai Post, the paper said
the men “transgressed the offices of the Thai Post with no permission and
stood guard as if they have occupied the office.”
In a story published on July 12, the newspaper had alleged that Trairong
avoided a dialogue with protesting fishermen in Lon Lan village during a
recent visit to Trang province because he was afraid of the so-called “mob”.
The aides who occupied the newspaper disputed the story, according to
journalists at the paper.
As organizations of Southeast Asian journalists dedicated to promoting press
freedom and defending the rights of our colleagues, we protest this incident
in the strongest possible terms. In recent years, Thailand’s free press has
become a model for the region but actions such as those by the private
secretary to Trairong have no place in a democratic society.
Powerful politicians must not be allowed to harass and intimidate the press.
Established mechanisms to redress grievances against the media, are readily
available to government officials and the Thai public. The Thai Post has
offered to discuss the story in question with Trairong but the newspaper has
said it will not respond to strong arm tactics.
We respectfully ask your excellency to investigate this attack on the Thai
Post immediately and make a full report to the public regarding this grave
incident. It is crucial that Thailand continue to be an open society in
which officials respect the rule of law and the institution of a free press.
By acting now to curb this kind of incident, your excellency will continue
to lead the way toward a democratic future for Thailand and Southeast Asia.
We await your response and appreciate your concern.
Yours,
Kavi Chongkittavorn,
Chairman, Southeast Asian Press Alliance
President, The Reporters’ Association of Thailand
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:
Appeals To
His Excellency Chuan Leekpai
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Government House
Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Fax: +66 2 282 8587 / 282 8631
E-mail: govspkmn@mozart.inet.co.th
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