Thai PBS replaces programme host Nattaya after NCPO's tough stance

In a statement issued yesterday, Thai PBS said it supported Nattaya Wawweerakup as she was professional, however, it said she would be temporarily replaced in order to avoid a possible impact on the show.
Nattaya hosted “People’s Voices that Need to be Heard before the Reform”.
The decision to replace her came after a group of military officers requested that the show be pulled off the air, citing an order from their “bosses” in the NCPO.
Thai PBS also insisted that it was sticking by its policy of maintaining independence, adding that the show would really benefit the reform process and the general public. The statement also said the channel would provide an explanation about the programme to the military officers.
Thienchay Kiranandana, president of the National Reform Council, earlier yesterday voiced concerns about the NCPO reaction to the show. He added that the NRC would set up a forum to listen to people’s ideas on national reform.
“I believe shows like this will be suspended again because of martial law,” Thienchay said. “The government is clear on martial law – it is still active, and I cannot ask the NCPO to lift martial law.”
He said the reform process would be pursued in another form, with the NRC setting up a centre where people can lodge suggestions and complaints.
The suspension of the show has resulted in much criticism. It followed a meeting of the military with Thai PBS executives.
It came after Nattaya hosted the programme in Songkhla, with villagers and activists criticising the coup in response to provocative questions.
The officers who met with the executives also wanted the programme to shift its focus and broadcast general news and remove Nattaya as host.
Thai PBS executives said the station had complied.
An NCPO source said Nattaya was removed because the junta did not like her questions, which centred on whether southerners were comfortable under the NCPO and the government.
The source said that after high-ranking military officers heard about the show, the junta ordered three of its members to meet Thai PBS chief Somchai Suwanban and ask for his cooperation regarding the matter.
Somchai said he understood the situation and would solve the problem, but Nattaya still went to Nakhon Pathom to report on a similar topic, resulting in another meeting between the junta and the Thai PBS chief.
The source said that had resulted in Thai PBS being told it would need the junta’s permission to air the show.
Criticism has been directed not just at the junta but also at Thai PBS.
The military also intervened to shut down a public forum that was due to be held at Alliance Francaise in Bangkok tomorrow under the topic “Thailand and Inequality”.
It feared that the gathering would affect the political situation or result in criticism being directed at the government, given that social critic Sulak Sivaraksa was to appear.
However, the organiser of the event said it was to have been a mere “talk show” to entertain people, and Sulak was to have spoken on history.
The organiser said the military wanted certain speakers removed, but they were all qualified to be part of the event.
However, it was hopeful the junta would give it permission today for the event to proceed.