Renewing a battle, Thai government lashes out at media owner
Bangkok, Thailand, January 27, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Thai government’s recent moves to disrupt the signal of the satellite-based television news station Asian Satellite TV (ASTV) and to block access to a popular news Web site. Both actions appeared to be aimed in part at veteran journalist and media owner Sondhi Limthongkul,…
Thai prime minister intensifies threats against television commentator
Bangkok, November 18, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed grave concern today about the Thai government’s escalating harassment of journalist and television commentator Sondhi Limthongkul. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra filed a defamation lawsuit against Sondhi on Thursday, the third such suit against the journalist, this one seeking 1 billion baht (US$25 million) in damages.
In Thailand, criminal charges threaten community radio stations
Bangkok, November 9, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about the Thai government’s criminal prosecution of a community radio station operator. Hearings concluded today in a criminal case filed by the state-run Public Relations and Post and Telegraph departments against radio journalist Satien Chanthorn on charges of illegally possessing broadcast equipment and violating…
Newspaper publisher found murdered in Thailand
New York, November 3, 2005—Newspaper publisher and freelance reporter Santi Lamaneenil was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds to the head in the back of his car outside the beach resort of Pattaya on Wednesday, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists is investigating to determine whether the murder was related to his…
In Thailand, media activist testifies about climate of fear’
Bangkok, Thailand, October 11, 2005—In her closing testimony today, media activist Supinya Klangnarong said a criminal defamation case brought against her by the telecommunications giant Shin Corp. has given rise to a “climate of fear” among journalists and activists in Thailand. But the presiding judge refused to include that portion of her testimony in the…
May justice prevail in Thai courts
Freedom of expression is on trial in the young democracy of Thailand, where state agencies, politicians and politically connected businesses have targeted the news media with an alarming string of criminal and civil court actions that seek prison terms and exorbitant monetary damages.
Thai prime minister sues two journalists
Bangkok, October 4, 2005 — The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned today the filing of criminal and civil lawsuits by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra against two Thai journalists who allegedly accused him of disloyalty to the King. . “Prime Minister Shinawatra’s resort to criminal defamation suits against journalists represents a clear and present danger…
THAILAND
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 Posted October 11, 2005 Sondhi Limthongkul, Sarocha Porn-udomsak, Channel 9 LEGAL ACTION Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra filed two lawsuits over a September 9 commentary by political talk show hosts Sondhi Limthongkul and Sarocha Porn-udomsak on state-owned Channel 9. The commentary cited an article that implied that Thaksin was disloyal to King…
CPJ concerned about delay in witness testimony in Thai trial
New York, August 19, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about a delay in the testimony of three international expert witnesses who were scheduled to appear in court in Bangkok this week in defense of media activist Supinya Klangnarong, who is on trial with the Thai-language daily Thai Post on criminal defamation charges. Shin…