PM gives no definite answers on revoking media laws
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PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has told representatives of the Thai Journalists Association that he would consider the TJA’s proposal for the revocation of certain laws affecting the media.
The group, led by TJA president Wanchai Wongmeechai, went to Government House to meet the prime minister and hand over a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day Tuesday.
However, Prayut did not confirm whether he would revoke the laws, joking that if he decided to do so, he would only issue new ones.
The journalists were calling on Prayut to revoke the junta’s orders No 97/2557 and 103/2557, as well as order No 3/2558, which he issued in his capacity as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). They regard these edicts as restricting the media’s work.
“What have we done to disturb you? I understand that this is a memorable day and I will consider [the proposal],” Prayut said.
The prime minister also asked the journalists if they believed the media did not have enough freedom, to which Wanchai responded: “It doesn’t mean we are asking you to give us more freedom. We just want you to revoke some laws.”
However, the exchange was disrupted when one senior journalist at the back abruptly said that granting the media freedom meant granting freedom to the people.
Prayut’s response to her was “beware”.
“It’s OK, I’m always watchful,” the woman said later. The TJA president was then stopped by officials from submitting a document titled “Well-Rounded Accuracy is a Guarantee for Freedom” comprising four proposals.
The officials said this statement was blocked because it would set a precedent for others to submit proposals directly to the prime minister.
