United Nations Demands Retraction from Thai-ASEAN News Network

**Tom Sawyer** · 23-10-2011, 10:42 AM

Here's one for SD:

21 October 2011

United Nations Demands Retraction from Thai ASEAN News Network

Bangkok (Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section) "The United Nations has demanded an immediate retraction from the Thai ASEAN News Network for the serious misquotes of Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in a story that ran this week.

The story, which revolved around the flood situation in Thailand, falsely attributed quotes to Dr. Heyzer that criticized the government.

The reality: the United Nations has issued no statement criticizing the government, and has only offered support and assistance as Thailand faces the worse floods in more than six decades.

"These quotes are completely contrary to the solidarity and support that the United Nations is giving in Thailand," said Dr. Heyzer. "The quotes are totally wrong and a poor reflection of journalist standards that are meant to reflect the truth."

Please find below the original statement issued by ESCAP to the press on 18 October:

ESCAP expresses solidarity with flood victims in Thailand and South-East Asia

Bangkok (UN ESCAP Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section) "The top United Nations official in the Asia-Pacific region today expressed grave concern over the unprecedented loss of life and livelihoods caused by heavy monsoon rains and tropical storms in South-East Asia and reiterated continued United Nations support to affected countries in improving resilience to natural disasters.

"The historical floods continue to cause a humanitarian crisis in the region. Please be assured that the United Nations stands in solidarity with the victims of the catastrophic floods," United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Dr. Noeleen Heyzer said in her message.

More than 700 people have been killed by the disasters with an assessment by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) showing that, as of 13 October, the destruction of homes, crops, economic assets and infrastructure had affected over 8 million people across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam and the Philippines.

Thailand's worst floods in half a century have claimed 297 lives and affected 2.4 million people in 25 provinces, according to United Nations estimates as of 17 October. Twelve provinces, including Bangkok remain at high risk of being flooded.

Noting that the Asia-Pacific region experiences more disasters than any other region in the world, Dr. Heyzer said that over 20 United Nations agencies under the Regional Coordination Mechanism are working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to build resilience to natural disasters through a joint ASEAN-United Nations Strategic Plan of Cooperation on Disaster Management for the period 2011-2015, as well as a joint ASEAN-UN Mechanism for Rapid Response to Climate-related and Other Disasters.

"Over the past few months, whilst Pakistan has experienced severe floods, earthquakes have hit Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Disasters pose a significant challenge to the realization of inclusive and sustainable development in Asia, and make more difficult the efforts of national governments in meeting the Millennium Development Goals by 2015," Dr. Heyzer added.

"With nearly one third of the world's population living in Asia Pacific, addressing the causes of vulnerability to disasters is critical to protecting peoples of Asia" the ESCAP chief added.

For more information please contact:
Ms. Francyne Harrigan
Chief, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP
T: +66 2 288 1864, M: +66 81 835 8677, E: harriganf[at]un.org

**Bettyboo** · 23-10-2011, 11:06 AM

It's obvious that PADite and dem media lie non-stop in their search for power and money for their select (not elected, note, by appointed, as is their belief, often reiterated...) group.

This is just one more case amongst an avalanche...

**Takeovers** · 23-10-2011, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Anyone actually seen a source for what it's claimed Jatuporn said?

Yeah, here...

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Or isn't that good enough for you?

If SD approves of it TAN must be a reliable source, right?

**Bettyboo** · 23-10-2011, 01:55 PM

^ SD uses it far too much for my liking, but it is a newspaper (well, a pure propaganda machine, set up, by the same people who set up and run a political party, to be a pure propaganda machine...).

Try finding a media source that isn't heavily biased and politically active; here, the US, the UK - few and far between...

**chitown** · 23-10-2011, 01:57 PM

Sounds like some suggestions were offered and the Thai thin, skinned ego could not take it. Thais look at at any suggestion from the outside as criticism. They know it ALL.

**chitown** · 23-10-2011, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

"The quotes are totally wrong and a poor reflection of journalist standards that are meant to reflect the truth."

Warning! Warning!
Loss of face imminent.
Thin skin bursting!

**Calgary** · 23-10-2011, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

It's obvious that PADite and dem media lie non-stop in their search for power and money for their select (not elected, note, by appointed, as is their belief, often reiterated...) group.

This is just one more case amongst an avalanche...

I'm waiting for "the other shoe to drop" with respect to the ASTV fabricated demise.

I know there is a separate thread dealing with this latest ASTV saga but comments are also appropriate here, as an extension of BB's thoughts regarding media lies designed carefully and often carefully orchestrated toward a singular goal.

The scuttlebut around here, is that all new actors are being assembled to function at a seemingly newly minted Amart TV outlet that was ASTV.

These new people and things unencumbered by old baggage, will assemble all sorts of academics and other experts who will then pontificate piously on matters Govt and Flood after-effects.

They will appear to offer all sorts of independent thought, new and improved points-of-view, etc., but follks:

They will all be singing from the same songsheet

This Ms. Y Govt. and Ms. Y is such a blight upon the country that only their demise will save Thailand as we know it.

And then powers greater than God almighty will step in to blessfully rescue Thai souls that have been so terribly preyed upon

If you think this is drama over the top, you ain't seen real drama yet.

Just remember, you saw it here first!

**hazz** · 23-10-2011, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by chitown

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

"The quotes are totally wrong and a poor reflection of journalist standards that are meant to reflect the truth."

Warning! Warning!
Loss of face imminent.
Thin skin bursting!

thats not going to happen.

he will just delete the article, deny ever having wrote the piece that set it all off and threaten to sue anyone who says he did. having successfully brainwashed himself, he will happily life out the remainder of this life having suffered no loss of face

I did have a look on the TAN site to see if i could find the article to post here.... but it looks like face restriction procedures have already started. God, it is a rabid new site!

**SteveCM** · 23-10-2011, 04:50 PM

^

Originally Posted by hazz

I did have a look on the TAN site to see if i could find the article to post here.... but it looks like face restriction procedures have already started. God, it is a rabid new site!

Perhaps this one: Thai-ASEAN News Network ?

In fairness, their Twitter feed of straightforward flood updates is IMO as good as (and often better than) most of what's out there. It's fast, coherent (sensible English) and - as far as I've seen to date - accurate.

**Rural Surin** · 23-10-2011, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Try finding a media source that isn't heavily biased and politically active; here, the US, the UK - few and far between...

Goes without saying. Always been like this - forever.

...now, it all depends on what sort of bias one prefers.

**hazz** · 23-10-2011, 05:51 PM

^^All I can say is that true words have never been or not been said by a UN organisation:

Meanwhile, Jerry Velasquez, senior regional coordinator for UN/ISDR Asia & Pacific pointed out that the main weakness to tackling the flood crisis in Thailand is the abundance of organizations to oversee water management.

**Rural Surin** · 23-10-2011, 06:27 PM

Speaking of the U.N., if they're so concerned about the current natural disasters and accompanying crisis - where the f_uck are they?

**Simon43** · 23-10-2011, 07:42 PM

Speaking of the U.N., if they're so concerned about the current natural disasters and accompanying crisis - where the f_uck are they?

They can't get work permits

**English Noodles** · 23-10-2011, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

Here's one for SD:

Originally Posted by Takeovers

If SD approves of it TAN must be a reliable source, right?

SD would not have posted this OP, simply because it does not fit his agenda. SD spams the news forum with one sided articles and 'news' from sources with a clear political bias. It's getting worse than Thaivisa.

He has done a good job on the flooding thread though, and his efforts are much appreciated on that thread. As for the rest of the spam, no thanks.

**Takeovers** · 23-10-2011, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by English Noodles

SD would not have posted this OP, simply because it does not fit his agenda. SD spams the news forum with one sided articles and 'news' from sources with a clear political bias. It's getting worse than Thaivisa.

He has done a good job on the flooding thread though, and his efforts are much appreciated on that thread. As for the rest of the spam, no thanks.

Agreed on both counts.

Edit: Except he is trying to put spin against the government in that too.

**Rural Surin** · 23-10-2011, 09:04 PM

[quote=English Noodles;1914396]SD would not have posted this OP, simply because it does not fit his agenda. SD spams the news forum with one sided articles and 'news' from sources with a clear political bias. It's getting worse than Thaivisa.
Not that I'm defending ScrotumDog, but doesn't everyone that post an article have a clear and present political bias and promoted perspectives. We would be in agreement that a balance of differences is quite acceptable - what offends are the OTT flooding [no puns] and spam.

**Takeovers** · 23-10-2011, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Not that I'm defending ScrotumDog, but doesn't everyone that post an article have a clear and present political bias and promoted perspectives. We would be in agreement that a balance of differences is quite acceptable - what offends are the OTT flooding [no puns] and spam.

SD would be quite acceptable as a informative poster. I profit quite a lot from that. It is just his absurd notion of neutrality.

**StrontiumDog** · 23-10-2011, 10:40 PM

I post what is available from the English daily's. Please feel free to post from other sources, if you can find any...... I also post from international sources. I post what I encounter.

Please post from other sources. No one is stopping anyone.

**OhOh** · 24-10-2011, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

No one is stopping anyone.

^As you say no one is stopping any posters finding and posting news. When one does post an article or comment how they attack is another thing.

Keep up the good work

**Tom Sawyer** · 24-10-2011, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Simon43

Speaking of the U.N., if they're so concerned about the current natural disasters and accompanying crisis - where the f_uck are they?

They can't get work permits

I think they (and individual governments) offered but the Thai government said outside help wasn't necessary. On the one hand it sounds like a shallow face thing, on the other hand since they are battling Fat Boy and all his sakdina and amart supporters and are distrustful of the army's efforts, then trying to coordinate foreign help in Thailand (no small task) would just complicate things.

Let's be honest, if the army and fat boy's citty hall would cooperate under the overall direction of the central government this crisis could effectively be dealt with. It's now far beyond question that there is a concerted effort to stymie the PT governments operation. And if anyone still has any doubts, then ask yourself why the flood gates STILL haven't been opened - even a bit?

**StrontiumDog** · 24-10-2011, 12:47 PM

Thai media misquote sparks outrage by UN | Asian Correspondent

Thai media misquote sparks outrage by UN

By Siam Voices Oct 24, 2011 1:17PM UTC

By Saksith Saiyasombut

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has issued quite an angry press release on Friday over what seems to be a misquotation in a Thai media outlet:

The United Nations has demanded an immediate retraction from the Thai ASEAN News Network for the serious misquotes of Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in a story that ran this week.

The story, which revolved around the flood situation in Thailand, falsely attributed quotes to Dr. Heyzer that criticized the government.

The reality: the United Nations has issued no statement criticizing the government, and has only offered support and assistance as Thailand faces the worse floods in more than six decades.

“These quotes are completely contrary to the solidarity and support that the United Nations is giving in Thailand,” said Dr. Heyzer. “The quotes are totally wrong and a poor reflection of journalist standards that are meant to reflect the truth.”

“United Nations Demands Retraction from Thai ASEAN News Network” (PDF), UNESCAP press release, October 21, 2011

Ouch! It takes a lot to get the United Nations to release an angry statement and it is definitely not the first time the Thai media outlets have botched something up (while some would say that Dr. Heyzer’s assessment in the last sentence may be overly too optimistic).

The Thai ASEAN News Network (TAN) is a full English-language news channel and an offshoot of ASTV, the TV outlet of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) – the ultra-nationalistic yellow shirts (by the way, ASTV is now off-air because of unpaid bills). Nevertheless, TAN claims to be “absolutely independent from ASTV”. We have previously highlighted one of their recent blunders here.

But what was the actual misquote? Many, including the fellow bloggers over at Thai Political Prisoners, hint at an article titled “UN Blames Govt for Poor Flood Management”. Some excerpts:

The United Nations has warned that natural disasters and floods in ASEAN are triggering a humanitarian crisis, claiming that no integrated effort to solve the turmoil will result in failure in tackling the after effects.

The Voice of America or VOA has reported that natural disasters in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines have killed more than 700 people already and affected eight million residents.(…)

UN ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer said the UN is ready to give assistance to communities that have been affected by the flood crisis.

Meanwhile, Jerry Velasquez, senior regional coordinator for UN/ISDR Asia & Pacific pointed out that the main weakness to tackling the flood crisis in Thailand is the abundance of organizations to oversee water management.

He noted the Thai government has failed to streamline the eight agencies involved, resulting in policies going in different directions.

Velasquez said this problem is not only limited to Thailand but is being seen in other countries in the region. He further warned that this crisis may be just a prelude to future natural calamities.
“UN Blames Govt for Poor Flood Management”, Thai ASEAN News Network, last updated on October 20, 2011 – emphasis by me

While it is possible that TAN has edited the post several times (also possibly as a reaction to the press release), if there were any quotes by Heyzer being critical towards the Thai government, there are not there anymore! The majority of the story is lifted from Voice of America (VOA), including the quotes by Jerry Velasquez, senior regional coordinator with the UN’s International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

However, the problem is the undoubtedly loaded and misleading headline TAN has given this piece, since this is of course what jumps into the readers’ eyes first. That of course sets the mood for the rest of the article, no matter if something else in written in the text. So, in the end it is not necessarily what was exactly written or quoted that was misleading, but how the UN is portrayed here by the headline alone.

Is the UN right to demand a retracting because of a misquote? Not really, since there does not seem to be a misquote (anymore). Is the UN right to be angry because of of this TAN story? Absolutely! International organizations like the UN cannot appear to be partisan if they need to work with the authorities especially during natural disasters. On the other end, while it is important to criticize the federal and local governments for their failures in preventing and handling this year’s flood, sticking to the truth is something that many Thai media outlets like to neglect when it does not serve an editorial line.

**IceSpike** · 24-10-2011, 02:54 PM

Thai PM warns of more floods, calls on agencies to unite

Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in a Saturday address to the nation that floods may last for six more weeks. More than 110,000 people have already been displaced from their homes as a result of the worst flooding in 50 years. According to the government estimates, the death toll had risen to 356, the Associated Press reports. The water is coming close to Bangkok, the PM said. “All agencies have to be united where tackling the runoff is concerned,” Reuters quoted the premier as saying.
Latest from rt.com

Scrotumdog has great resources and much appreciated from this poser.

**StrontiumDog** · 24-10-2011, 03:18 PM

Thai-ASEAN News Network

UN Story Retraction and Apology

UPDATE : 24 October 2011

To Whom It May Concern,

On Friday, October 21, 2011, the Thai-ASEAN News (TAN) Network broadcasted a news story entitled “UN Blames Govt for Poor Flood Management”. The story quoted UN ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer for something she did not say. However, in actuality, the quote belonged to Jerry Velasquez, senior regional coordinator for UN/ISDR Asia & Pacific.

Once informed of the misquote, TAN Network corrected the story on the evening of Friday, October 21, 2011. The corrected version can still be found at Thai-ASEAN News Network.

There is no excuse for the mistake that was made. TAN Network, its management and its editorial team sincerely apologizes for the error that was made. However, we must stress that there were no ill intensions.

This incident has served as an important lesson to all of our staff. We apologize and will do our utmost to never allow this to happen again in the future.

Our sincere apologies.

The Thai-ASEAN News Network
Bangkok, Thailand
October 24, 2011

**Bettyboo** · 24-10-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

However, we must stress that there were no ill intensions.

Really?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

We apologize and will do our utmost to never allow this to happen again in the future.

Until tomorrow...

Well, this is the first time I've seen a PAD entity apologize for anything, so it's a start; they must've had a lot of pressure being applied to them from somewhere...

**hazz** · 24-10-2011, 03:32 PM

^^I was going to say this must be a first in thailand. But then I remembered this is the standard apology they(as in newspaper/agency) roll out whenever threatened with a libel suit by someone who can finance it. Followed by cutting the journalists involved loose to face the music on their own

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