FCCT has stretched Thai hospitality to breaking point
Re: “Thailand to lose its status as foreign media hub?” National, April 4.
Jonathan Head, former president of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT), complains that once-ideal conditions for foreign journalists in Thailand have turned negative since the visa restrictions enforced by Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government recently.
Mr Head said: “Before the coup it was freer. This is a restrictive environment for media.”
To be fair, the FCCT has never done anything that could be considered good for Thailand’s image – not once. On the contrary, Thailand’s standing in the world has been greatly damaged by its members’ often inaccurate and even false reporting. This shows the FCCT has no control – or even guidelines – over its members’ professional conduct.
Not one member has shown his appreciation for the hospitality received here from both by the government and the populace.
We Thais have been most accommodating hosts to the FCCT. We have reached the end of our rope.
Vint Chavala
