Prayuth Chan-ocha Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

Thailand issues emergency decree, nationwide restrictions on press

October 15, 2020 10:06 AM EDT

Bangkok, October 15, 2020 — The Thai government should immediately drop its emergency decree restricting the ability of the press to cover protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At 4 a.m. today, the Thai government issued a decree limiting public assembly and instituting a nationwide ban on publishing and broadcasting news that could…

Police officers are seen in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 26, 2020. The Thai government has imposed a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and has restricted the press. (AP/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand declares state of emergency, imposes press restrictions

March 26, 2020 9:50 AM EDT

Bangkok, March 26, 2020 — Thailand should uphold press freedom and refrain from harassing and restricting reporters while emergency rule is imposed to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

CPJ calls on Thai prime minister to restore press freedom

September 23, 2019 12:29 PM EDT

CPJ wrote to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, urging him to restore freedom the press in Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives for a cabinet meeting in Bangkok on August 9, 2016. He has empowered a state media regulator to close news outlets without the right to appeal for reasons of national security. (AP/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand pressures two broadcast journalists off the air

August 18, 2016 12:11 PM EDT

Bangkok, August 18, 2016–Two television reporters in Thailand have been suspended for a 10-day period under pressure from military authorities and state media regulators over their critical news coverage, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Thailand’s ruling military regime to cease its systematic harassment of the broadcast media and…

Internet gateway plan threatens online freedoms in Thailand

September 29, 2015 10:58 AM EDT

Bangkok, September 29, 2015–An initiative in Thailand to create a single government-controlled gateway for international Internet traffic represents a clear danger to online freedoms, the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement today. CPJ calls on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to drop the proposed plan and stop harassing journalists and social media users.

CPJ concerned about trial of journalists on defamation charges in Thailand

July 10, 2015 11:34 AM EDT

Dear Prime Minister Prayuth: The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the trial on Tuesday of two journalists who face up to seven years in prison if convicted on defamation and computer crime charges.

Authorities shut TV news station in Thailand

April 29, 2015 10:53 AM EDT

Bangkok, April 29, 2015–Thai authorities on Monday revoked the operating license of Peace TV, a news station aligned with the elected government ousted in last year’s military coup, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the move and calls for Thai authorities to stop harassing and censoring the media.

Thai editor held for four days, accused of violating martial law

July 9, 2014 3:40 PM EDT

Thanapol Eawsakul, editor and founder of Fah Diew Gahn (Same Sky) news magazine, a tri-monthly Thai-language publication, was arrested on July 5, 2014, in a Bangkok café, according to news reports. He was held on a seven-day detention order, the maximum period allowable without a trial under martial law, and released on July 9, 2014.

Thai military detains journalist and his lawyer

May 27, 2014 4:16 PM EDT

New York, May 27, 2014–Military authorities in Thailand should immediately release a local journalist who was taken into military custody on Sunday after being summoned for questioning, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Media squeezed in Thai military coup

May 22, 2014 1:21 PM EDT

Bangkok, May 22, 2014–Thailand’s military-led National Peace and Order Maintaining Council today seized administrative power in a coup and ordered local broadcast media to halt regular programming and local satellite and cable service providers to block international news channels, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the military-imposed censorship and calls for an…