Thread: Channel 11 Muay Thai: Thaksin's appearance 'just a coincidence'

Hogwash! He was railroaded. Those Yellow Pukes are grabbing at straws. Never again will they be in power in Thailand...

Well played, Thaksin.

On another note, I'd love to see Butthurt's ...I mean Boonlert's audio clip proven to be a fraud so he himself will end up in LM trouble.

Originally Posted by gaysexbyproxy

LM trouble.

the big t will be waiting to ask for his ...... from a bird of a feather

Originally Posted by spliff

Hogwash! He was railroaded. Those Yellow Pukes are grabbing at straws. Never again will they be in power in Thailand...

Never?

How is it that they continue to rein power?

Opposition cries foul over ex-PM on state TV - The Nation

Opposition cries foul over ex-PM on state TV

The Nation December 11, 2012 1:00 am


Group to seek probe by Ombudsman, anti-graft agency of 'legal breach'

The opposition Democrat Party and Green Politics Group threatened yesterday to file a lawsuit against the government for allowing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to appear on Channel 11 of the national broadcasting service.

The anti-Thaksin camp cried foul yesterday after learning the fugitive ex-premier appeared on state-controlled media when he presided over the opening of a Thai boxing programme televised live from Macau on Sunday night.

The Democrat's deputy spokesperson Mallika Boonmeetrakool said her party would lodge a petition with the Ombudsman to investigate whether any responsible person in the government and the Public Relations Department (PRD), which oversees the station, needed to take responsibility for allowing a convicted fugitive to go on air.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had to show leadership to punish all concerned officials, and the Minister attached to Prime Minister's Office, Sansanee Nakpong, who oversees the PRD, also had to take responsibility for the [broadcasting breach], she said.

Thaksin took the opportunity as he delivered opening remarks at the 'Muay Thai Warriors' show on Sunday to send best wishes to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the Royal Birthday. He also dismissed an allegation of lese majeste made by the Pitak Siam group recently.

PM's Minister Sansanee said she did not know in advance that Thaksin would appear on state-run TV during the boxing programme. The proposal from the organiser did not offer any details about the ex-PM appearing, she said.

"I didn't know what to do as it had already happened. The public will judge whether it's right or wrong," she said.

Green Politics leader Suriyasai Katasila said Theerapong Sodasri, chief of the PRD, must step down to take responsibility for the mistake. His group would file a lawsuit against him and Sansanee in accordance with Article 157 of the Penal Code for misconduct and abuse of power for allowing the fugitive to appear on the screen, he said.

"There was no accident as the programme was well prepared and Thaksin himself had prepared a written speech to read out," he said.

The group would also ask the anti-graft body to investigate the case and all people responsible.

Former army chief Chaiyasit Shinawatra, the chairperson of the boxing event, said he invited Thaksin to deliver opening remarks for the show.

He said there was nothing wrong in the former premier expressing his best wishes to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the royal birthday.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said Thaksin, like many other Thais, simply took the chance to express loyalty to His Majesty the King. The boxing show was organised to celebrate this occasion, he said.

"Please do not politicise this matter. The opposition Democrats should know well that former premier Thaksin was convicted by an unjust court after a military coup," Noppadon said. "Democracy lovers like the Democrats should not admit the rule of the coup."

Govt 'unaware' of Thaksin broadcast | Bangkok Post: news

Govt 'unaware' of Thaksin broadcast

Critics in uproar over Channel 11 address

• Published: 11/12/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The government is on the defence and says it was unaware that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be appearing during the state-run Channel 11 kickboxing broadcast on Sunday.

The claim follows severe criticism from Thaksin's critics, who have threatened to initiate probes against the government and its Public Relations Department (PRD).

The opposition Democrat Party said it would ask the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate who gave the broadcast the go-ahead while the Green Politics group plans to take the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Thaksin's foes said they found it hard to believe the government had no prior knowledge about Thaksin showing up for Muay Thai Warriors, a Thai kick-boxing event on Sunday that was broadcast live on Channel 11.

The deposed prime minister presided over the tournament which was organised in Macau to commemorate His Majesty the King's 85th birthday.

Thaksin delivered a speech lashing out at the 2006 coup-makers and defending himself against allegations against him after leading the audience to light candles and sing in honour of the King.

Democrat deputy spokesman Mallika Boonmeetrakul said yesterday those who authorised the broadcast should be held accountable for allowing Thaksin, a convicted fugitive on the run, to use the state-run media outlet for his benefit.

Democrat MP for Songkhla Wirat Kallayasiri said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and PM's Office Minister Sansanee Nakpong, who oversees the PRD, could not deny responsibility.

They are supposed to ask and know who will preside over a tournament marking an occasion as important as the King's birthday, he said.

Mr Wirat called Thaksin's's appearance unethical and unlawful.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of Green Politics group, called on PRD chief and Channel 11 director Thirapong Sodasri to resign for failing to properly administer the station.

He said the Green Politics group would file a petition with the NACC over the broadcast within the week.

Mr Suriyasai said Thaksin's appearance did not happen by chance.

'I think that a political group and Channel 11 executives have colluded," he said. "This is definitely not a coincidence. It hurts and disgusts many Thais."

Mr Thirapong distanced himself from the matter, saying Way Beyond 55 _ a private company _ had leased the airtime.

Ms Sansanee yesterday denied that she had anything to do with the broadcast and had no prior knowledge about Thaksin's appearance.

She said she has asked Channel 11 executives to clarify the matter and hand over time-leasing contracts with the event organiser, the World Professional Muay Thai Federation (WPMF).

She noted that the federation had previously leased time from Channel 11 to broadcast the boxing tournament.

"I never interfere in the PRD's affairs. I am in charge of policy," she said.

Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, the WPMF's president _ who is also Thaksin's cousin _ said Thaksin was informed about the boxing event but he did not confirm if he would show up. However, he admitted that some preparations were in place for Thaksin if he did show.

"There is no hidden agenda. He is a former prime minister and we give him respect," he said. "I paid Channel 11 for the airtime and I had the right to use it [as I saw fit]," he said.

Thaksin's close aide Noppadon Pattama said the broadcast was being politicised by Thaksin's political opponents. The appearance only showed Thaksin's "loyalty", he said.

He called the allegations against the former premier "painful", adding that Thaksin deserves to defend himself.

Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Prasopdee said there was nothing wrong with Thaksin's appearance and he lashed out at the Democrats for demanding an apology from Ms Yingluck.

"This is getting ridiculous," he said, suggesting the appearance "wouldn't have been a hot issue" if not for the Democrat Party.

NBTC probing live TV broadcast by Thaksin - The Nation

NBTC probing live TV broadcast by Thaksin

The Nation December 12, 2012 1:00 am


Agency reviewing if state Channel 11 abused licence; to respond on Friday

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commis-sion will on Friday present its response to the controversial broadcast of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"The NBTC is empowered to enforce the broadcasting law," NBTC member Supinya Klangnarong said.

The controversy erupted on Sunday after state-run Channel 11 aired a boxing match from Macao presided over by Thaksin, who made a speech rebutting critics about his loyalty to the monarchy.

Station managers claimed they could not block the live broadcast because it had sold the airtime to a private operator.

Supinya said the NBTC response would seek to address three issues.

The first was whether the station abused its public service by selling the airtime.

The second was whether the public was properly informed in advance about the programme change to accommodate the live broadcast.

The third was whether the sale of airtime violated the broadcasting law.

Supinya said the NBTC would review the legitimacy of the broadcasting licence held by the government's Public Relations Department.

The review would be conducted in conjunction with a long-term plan to reallocate airwaves, she said.

Deputy Commerce Minister Natthawut Saikua said Thaksin, like other Thai expats, took part in this month's activities to honour HM the King, coinciding with His Majesty's birthday (four days earlier).

Natthawut said parties involved with the boxing match in question had said they did not arrange the appearance of Thaksin in advance.

Natthawut, a red-shirt leader, saw no reason to make a political issue out of Thaksin's speech professing loyalty. He dismissed claims that a majority of the people objected to a fugitive being allowed to appear on state television, saying he had not detected any negative sentiment.

Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon said he suspected a plot for Thaksin to appear on the state-run television. Two of the organisers had given conflicting statements, he said. Kulthon Prachaubmoh said he met and invited Thaksin at short notice but Chaiyasit Shinawatra said the programme was planned in advance.

Thaksin fan clubs posted messages on social media about waiting to see his appearance in television.

PM: govt not involved

Prime Minister Yingluck Shina-watra said the government had no involvement in the matter, arguing that Channel 11 had sole jurisdiction over the content of the broadcast.

Yingluck said she had learned about the live broadcast from news reports, as she did not watch the programme.

"As far as I know, I understand the programme was about a sporting event which has no bearing on the country's security."

She said she was not in a position to intervene in all issues, such as television programmes.

Programming should be decided by the station management and if there was no security aspect to consider, the government would not get involved. She was informed about Thaksin's appearance after the live broadcast ended, she said.

In a talk to the Asia Society in Hong Kong yesterday, the former PM said his sister's government should hold a referendum to gauge people's opinions on amendments to the constitution before going ahead with any changes.

"Before, there was no justice in the Thai political system and I personally believe that a good reconciliation [sic] will happen when the law is enforced in a fair and equal manner," Thaksin said.

"Reconciliation is not about me receiving an amnesty so that I can return home, because I'm already familiar with staying abroad," he said.

Meanwhile, Yingluck said after the Cabinet meeting yesterday her government had decided to allow public participation in the charter amendment process by getting the Interior and Justice ministries to hold public hearings and then a referendum before voting on a third reading of the controversial bill to rewrite the constitution.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Govt 'unaware' of Thaksin broadcast

they always seem to be "unaware" of anything about Thaksin

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Opposition cries foul over ex-PM on state TV - The Nation

Opposition cries foul over ex-PM on state TV

The Nation December 11, 2012 1:00 am


Group to seek probe by Ombudsman, anti-graft agency of 'legal breach'

It looks like The Nation misses entirely the irony of their reporting something about Thaksin Every Single Day

Sansanee should have known better | Bangkok Post: news

ABOUT POLITICS

Sansanee should have known better

Prime Minister's Office Minister takes the flak for ousted premier's Channel 11 broadcast

• Published: 15/12/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Nothing prepared viewers at home for a live broadcast at a boxing event of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who has once again ruffled quite a few feathers.


Thaksin: Unhappy with airing of images

Social media pages were flooded with mostly hostile comments in the wake of Thaksin's speech at the Thai boxing match in Macau.

The speech provoked virulent criticism of how the former premier had used the occasion to honour His Majesty the King while at the same time pillorying his opponents for engineering his fall from grace.

State-run Channel 11, which carried the broadcast, was also criticised for letting him go on air. However, the buck did not stop there.

Many netizens demanded Prime Minister's Office Minister Sansanee Nakpong step forward and take responsibility.

The minister supervises the Public Relations Department, which owns the government channel.

One comment left on the internet asked how taxpayers' money could be squandered propping up a government-owned channel which allowed a fugitive on air.

Ms Sansanee, however, said she could hardly be held to account for the broadcast, as her job description dictates that she oversee the broad policies of the PRD.

She had no business picking through details of what is being shown on the channel.

But her explanation did not go down well with some of her critics who maintained she should have done better.

They argued that for a person of Thaksin's stature to be speaking in a live programme on a state-owned channel, senior executives must have had prior knowledge of it.

If Ms Sansanee was genuinely unaware, that would raise some serious questions about her ability to manage the PRD, according to her critics who said the minister is expected to possess enough political finesse to know better.

Ms Sansanee gave up a long career as a TV anchorwoman to enter politics and came under the wing of Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, a source said.

The politician who leased the time slot in which the broadcast was aired is linked to political circles in Bang Na district which Ms Sansanee once represented as an MP, the source said.

Ms Sansanee was criticised for another broadcast recently, when the channel aired live images of anti-government Pitak Siam demonstrators being tear-gassed by riot police in the middle of Bangkok.

It was reported that Thaksin was far from pleased the images had been allowed on air.

The government succeeded in containing the demonstrators. But the images of police using tear gas against the protesters made the government look bad, as the demonstrators claimed they were unarmed.

Ms Sansanee, it would seem, has yet to rise to the challenge of being a minister in charge of such an influential portfolio.

37% object to broadcast by Thaksin: poll - The Nation

37% object to broadcast by Thaksin: poll

The Nation on Sunday December 16, 2012 1:00 am

About 37 per cent of people view the appearance of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on the state-run NBT channel as inappropriate, a poll by National Institute for Development Administration (Nida) revealed yesterday.

The group of respondents said the channel was used as a political tool by Thaksin who was still a convicted person fleeing the penalty. However, almost 14 per cent of respondents said the appearance was appropriate as it is his personal right and the air time was bought by a private company.

The controversy erupted on Sunday after NBT aired a boxing match from Macau, presided over by Thaksin, who made a speech rebutting critics who questioned his loyalty to the Thai monarchy.

Former supreme commander General Chaisit Shinawatra on Friday said he had sought a royal pardon for using the "King's Cup" title in the boxing match without having received royal authorisation.

The Nida Poll was conducted on Thursday and Friday among 1,270 respondents nationwide.

More than 40 per cent of respondents said they believed Thaksin's live appearance on NBT was planned in advance while almost six per cent of respondents believed it was a coincidence that the former PM happened to be in Macau when the boxing event was held.

Following Thaksin's appearance on the channel and heavy criticism, the organisers and the NBT said they had not been aware of an invitation to Thaksin to preside over the event and be shown live on TV.

The poll showed almost 40 per cent of the respondents believed the government interfered with the Thai broadcast media, who could not freely present news, and headlines and news stories were distorted. About 14 per cent said they believed there was no interference as the media are independent agencies and have their own code of ethics.

Chaisit, a cousin of Thaksin who was one of the boxing event organisers, said he had sent a letter to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary seeking a royal pardon.

Chaisit explained that no King's Cup was given, but Lt-Colonel Kulthon Prachuapmoh, an organiser, incorrectly said on stage that the winner would be presented with the King's Cup.

Chaisit said the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary had demanded that he write a letter seeking a royal pardon for using the title "King's Cup" without prior authorisation.

"The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary reminded us about the issue several days ago. As chairman of the event, I had to take responsibility. I've sent a letter seeking a royal pardon," he said.

"Thaksin appearing live on NBT was another matter," he said.

"Social media pages were flooded with mostly hostile comments in the wake of Thaksin's speech at the Thai boxing match in Macau."

says the bkk post - who really cares??

Thaksin, in Macau - illegal? no. Thaksin speaking before a Muay Thai event, illegal? no. Muay Thai broadcasted in THAILAND... illegal? no.

Get a grip guys, this is stupid to even be talking about.

Just fodder for the anti-thaksin press IMO.

Thaksin's Ch11 broadcast not illegal | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Thaksin's Ch11 broadcast not illegal

• Published: 20/12/2012 at 02:47 PM
• Online news:

The live broadcast on Channel 11 featuring former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's appearance and speech at a boxing event in Macau two weeks ago was not legally wrong, a subcommittee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has ruled.

Lt Gen Peerapong Manakit, a director of the NBTC and chairman of the subcommittee in charge of content and programme slots, said the broadcast did not violate Section 37 of the constitution.

"The organisers bought the rights to the airtime from state-owned NBT television. The NBTC had no right to intervene," said Lt Gen Peerapong.


Thaksin gives a speech at a boxing event in Macau on Dec 9, 2012.

The subcommittee submit its decision for consideration by the NBTC's Broadcasting Committee on Jan 7.

The committee will ask the public media to cautiously review broadcast material, making sure the contents do not cause public conflict.

The regulator also wanta the public media to be professional and broadcast content free from influence by either private organisations or the government.

He said the regulation on broadcast plans was still pending publication in the Royal Gazette, after passing a public hearing.

The new regulation would require media to report their broadcast plans 15 days ahead of the time slots.

"The main issue here is not just following Section 37 of the Broadcasting Act 2008, but to prevent the public media from broadcasting content that cause public conflict, or hate speeches," added Lt Gen Peerapong.

Thaksin appeared on Channel 11 on Dec 9, 2012 to preside over a muay Thai event held in Macau. The event was held to commemorate His Majesty the King's 85th birthday.

The deposed premier took the opportunity to defend himself against his 2008 abuse of power and graft convictions, and criticised the 2006 coup-makers who toppled his administration.

this is just a stupid issue.

btw, did anyone see the farang with love handles lose to the French guy? Really not true muay thai, was it?

NBTC: Thaksin's Ch11 speech OK | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

NBTC: Thaksin's Ch11 speech OK

• Published: 7/01/2013 at 09:38 PM
• Online news:

The live broadcast on Channel 11 featuring former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at a boxing event in Macau last month was not illegal, according to a formal ruling by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

Col Natee Sukolrat, chairman of NBTC’s broadcasting committee, said the committee had examined the content of the programme and did not find it violate the Broadcasting Act 2008.


Thaksin gives a speech at a boxing event in Macau on Dec 9, 2012.

However, it asked state-owned Channel 11 to be more cautious in screening content and with its programming slots, making sure they do not adversely affect society and cause public conflict.

Thaksin’s speech during the controversial live broadcast was not taken into consideration by the committee, Col Natee said.

An NBTC subcommittee overseeing content and programme slots last month ruled the broadcast was not legally wrong and submitted its decision for consideration by the NBTC's Broadcasting Committee Monday.

In the subcommittee ruling, chairman Lt Gen Peerapong Manakit, a director of the NBTC, said: "The organisers bought the rights to the airtime from state-owned NBT television. The NBTC had no right to intervene."