People's Television
Encyclopedia
People's Television was a Thai
satellite television
station. It was established by former executives of the Thai Rak Thai
party after the 2006 Thailand military coup overthrew the Thai Rak Thai-led government. It launched despite warnings from the Council for National Security, the military junta that seized power. PTV executives insisted that if ASTV
(a satellite television station run by anti-Thai Rak Thai
activist and media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul
) could operate, then so could PTV.
PTV's inaugural broadcast on 1 March 2007 was stopped because of CAT Telecom
's refusal to grant an internet link from Bangkok to a satellite up-link station in Hong Kong
. CAT Telecom claimed that it never received PTV's application for internet access. PTV executives claimed that CAT Chairman and junta leader Saprang Kalayanamitr
was preventing it from broadcasting for political reasons.
PTV executives led several public protests against the junta's censorship. In a demonstration on 23 March 2007 attended by 1,500-3,000 protestors, thousands of police in riot gear attempted to disperse the protest. The protests caused the junta to request that the government declare emergency rule in Bangkok.
PTV was controversially shut down by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
in the early days of the 2010 Thailand political protests.
Party executives Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Promphan, and Nattawut Saikua, as well as former government spokesman Chakraphob Penkhae. Veera denied that any funding for the station came from former Thai Rak Thai party leader Thaksin Shinawatra
. Thaksin lawyer, Noppadon Pattama
, likewise denied any involvement between Thaksin and PTV.
Veera claimed that PTV aimed to serve the public by acting like "a small candle shedding the light of truth." He added that "In the past, the channels of communication that served the nation were limited, and we saw no hope for the future. If a station that helps people constructively exchange views exists, it will help the country maintain its democracy." After the 2006 Thailand coup, all other Thai television stations were censored and forbidden from reporting on the activities of Thaksin
. Foreign broadcasts by BBC
and CNN
were also censored.
PTV is operated by Peuan Pong Nong Phi Co. Ltd. Peuan Pong Nong Phi was founded in 2002 by students from Ramkhamhaeng University
. It originally produced print media and was established with registered capital of 5 million baht. Prior to commencing broadcasting, its registered capital was increased to 50 million baht, most of the capital coming from the new management. Jatuporn Promphan claimed that further capital would be raised from the public.
Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Thirapat Serirangsan ordered the Director-General of the Public Relations Department to press legal charges against PTV. He insisted that no double standards were being applied. "If PTV insists on going on the air, the director-general of the Public Relations Department, as the officer in charge, will have to take legal action, just as ASTV has also been legally pursued since the last government," said Thirapat, referring to ASTV's pending court injunction. Thai Day Dot Com Co, the operator of ASTV, filed a criminal lawsuit against the Public Relations Department, alleging that it abused its powers when questioning ASTV's legal status. During the last days of the Thaksin government, the Administrative Court granted ASTV's request for an injunction to stop authorities from taking it off the air while the court is considering its petition.
Station executive Veera claimed that Article 3 of the junta's interim constitution
guaranteed the right to engage in broadcasting all activities in accordance with the law.
Former opposition and Democrat Party
leader Abhisit Vejjajiva
advised the junta to ensure equal treatment for both PTV and ASTV.
PTV newsmen were refused press passes to Government House on grounds they had not yet accredited.
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas claimed that the station received financial support from an "old power clique." PTV executives consistently denied they have direct links or received funding from ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra or his Thai Rak Thai Party. PTV executives sued the Defence Minister for defamation. The executives also planned to file a civil case against General Boonrawd for 50 million baht.
After a bomb was exploded outside of Chitrlada Palace in early May 2007, junta leader Sonthi Boonratkalin claimed that the "old power group" was behind it, and told the press to ask PTV to learn more.
to protest the junta's ban against the station's broadcasts. In one demonstration, 1,800 police in riot-gear surrounded approximately 1,500-3,000 protestors and attempted to dismantle PTV's protest stage. The operation was an implementation of security operation plan Pathaphi 149, which was designed to protect the army from public rallies. However, the police backed off after the protesters threw plastic bottles and yelled at them. PTV executives asked the demonstrators not to attack the police. Station executives vowed to stage weekly Friday rallies. Junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin vowed to prosecute any former Thai Rak Thai
leaders if they provided financial support for the rallies.
Junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin requested Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
to declare emergency in Bangkok on 28 March 2007 in response to the protests. In an interview, he noted that the protests had so far been peaceful, but that he was afraid the movement could lead to "mutiny and chaos in the country." CNS Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd asked, "What will we do if the numbers of protesters go beyond 100,000? It will greatly damage the country's image." Emergency powers allowed the government to ban public gatherings, impose curfews and censor local news reports. Surayud did not comply with the request.
A PTV rally in Bangkok City Hall's Lan Khon Muang grounds on 30 March 2007 was attended by 4,000 people. The rally proceeded under tight security. The Bangkok city government positioned more than 10 municipal garbage trucks full of rotting refuse next to the protest area.
Follow-on protests were planned for Sunday 7 April 2007. Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas warned that the military would not tolerate protests against the junta, and that "whoever tries to cause trouble in the country is nothing else but a traitor," adding that the PTV protesters intended to undermine harmony in the country.
Junta leaders threatened a third time to declare a state of emergency due to PTV's planned protests on 27 April 2007.
Protests organized by PTV and attended by PTV's executives escalated. In July 2007, Veera Musikapong led thousands of protestors in a demonstration outside the house of Privy Councilor Prem Tinsulanonda
, claiming that he was behind the 2006 coup and the military junta. The government impeded the protests and cracked down on the protestors, wounding many. Several protestors were arrested, including Veera, an interim National Human Rights Commissioner, and a former Chief Justice of the Criminal Court. Afterwards, junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin visited Prem to apologise for the protests on behalf of the government. One day later, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, along with 34 members of his Cabinet, went to Prem's house to apologize to Prem for "apologise for failing to take good care of him." Surayud accused the protestors of trying to "bring down the highest institution of the country."
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
station. It was established by former executives of the Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party after the 2006 Thailand military coup overthrew the Thai Rak Thai-led government. It launched despite warnings from the Council for National Security, the military junta that seized power. PTV executives insisted that if ASTV
ASTV
ASTV is an Afrikaans South African television channel, which is privately owned. The station is based at Rustenburg in South Africa and was launched on the TopTV satellite service in October 2010, to serve as a local and community Afrikaans TV channel with Christian values.-Programs:Some of the...
(a satellite television station run by anti-Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
activist and media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
) could operate, then so could PTV.
PTV's inaugural broadcast on 1 March 2007 was stopped because of CAT Telecom
CAT Telecom
CAT Telecom Public Company Limited is the state-owned company that runs Thailand’s international telecommunications infrastructure, including its international gateways, satellite, and submarine cable networks connections. As of February 2008, it had 5,562 employees.-Services:Until recently, CAT...
's refusal to grant an internet link from Bangkok to a satellite up-link station in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. CAT Telecom claimed that it never received PTV's application for internet access. PTV executives claimed that CAT Chairman and junta leader Saprang Kalayanamitr
Saprang Kalayanamitr
General Saprang Kalayanamitr is a retired officer of the Royal Thai Army, Assistant Secretary-General of the Council for National Security, Commander of the junta's 14,000-man anti-protest force, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Airports of Thailand , and also Chairman of the Boards of TOT...
was preventing it from broadcasting for political reasons.
PTV executives led several public protests against the junta's censorship. In a demonstration on 23 March 2007 attended by 1,500-3,000 protestors, thousands of police in riot gear attempted to disperse the protest. The protests caused the junta to request that the government declare emergency rule in Bangkok.
PTV was controversially shut down by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
in the early days of the 2010 Thailand political protests.
Leadership and vision
The new television station was led by former Thai Rak ThaiThai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
Party executives Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Promphan, and Nattawut Saikua, as well as former government spokesman Chakraphob Penkhae. Veera denied that any funding for the station came from former Thai Rak Thai party leader Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
. Thaksin lawyer, Noppadon Pattama
Noppadon Pattama
Noppadon Pattama , Thai politician, became Foreign Minister of Thailand on 6 February 2008, in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. He is a member of Samak's People's Power Party...
, likewise denied any involvement between Thaksin and PTV.
Veera claimed that PTV aimed to serve the public by acting like "a small candle shedding the light of truth." He added that "In the past, the channels of communication that served the nation were limited, and we saw no hope for the future. If a station that helps people constructively exchange views exists, it will help the country maintain its democracy." After the 2006 Thailand coup, all other Thai television stations were censored and forbidden from reporting on the activities of Thaksin
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
. Foreign broadcasts by BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
were also censored.
PTV is operated by Peuan Pong Nong Phi Co. Ltd. Peuan Pong Nong Phi was founded in 2002 by students from Ramkhamhaeng University
Ramkhamhaeng University
Ramkhamhaeng University is one of two open universities in Thailand. The university was named in honor of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of Sukhothai, who traditionally is credited for creating the Thai alphabet....
. It originally produced print media and was established with registered capital of 5 million baht. Prior to commencing broadcasting, its registered capital was increased to 50 million baht, most of the capital coming from the new management. Jatuporn Promphan claimed that further capital would be raised from the public.
Legal status and controversies
Both PTV and ASTV transmitted their programs via satellite from earth stations outside of Thailand to cable TV operators inside the kingdom. Both stations claimed that this practice allowed them to run on cable television without being subjected to the government's broadcast regulatory bodies.Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Thirapat Serirangsan ordered the Director-General of the Public Relations Department to press legal charges against PTV. He insisted that no double standards were being applied. "If PTV insists on going on the air, the director-general of the Public Relations Department, as the officer in charge, will have to take legal action, just as ASTV has also been legally pursued since the last government," said Thirapat, referring to ASTV's pending court injunction. Thai Day Dot Com Co, the operator of ASTV, filed a criminal lawsuit against the Public Relations Department, alleging that it abused its powers when questioning ASTV's legal status. During the last days of the Thaksin government, the Administrative Court granted ASTV's request for an injunction to stop authorities from taking it off the air while the court is considering its petition.
Station executive Veera claimed that Article 3 of the junta's interim constitution
2006 Interim Constitution of Thailand
The 2006 Interim Charter of Thailand was drafted by the Council for Democratic Reform after it seized power from the government of Thaksin Shinawatra in the 2006 Thailand coup...
guaranteed the right to engage in broadcasting all activities in accordance with the law.
Former opposition and Democrat Party
Democrat Party (Thailand)
The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
leader Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
advised the junta to ensure equal treatment for both PTV and ASTV.
PTV newsmen were refused press passes to Government House on grounds they had not yet accredited.
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas claimed that the station received financial support from an "old power clique." PTV executives consistently denied they have direct links or received funding from ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra or his Thai Rak Thai Party. PTV executives sued the Defence Minister for defamation. The executives also planned to file a civil case against General Boonrawd for 50 million baht.
After a bomb was exploded outside of Chitrlada Palace in early May 2007, junta leader Sonthi Boonratkalin claimed that the "old power group" was behind it, and told the press to ask PTV to learn more.
Protests
Station executives held several demonstrations in Sanam LuangSanam Luang
Sanam Luang is an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is located in the Phra Nakhon district, the historic center of Bangkok....
to protest the junta's ban against the station's broadcasts. In one demonstration, 1,800 police in riot-gear surrounded approximately 1,500-3,000 protestors and attempted to dismantle PTV's protest stage. The operation was an implementation of security operation plan Pathaphi 149, which was designed to protect the army from public rallies. However, the police backed off after the protesters threw plastic bottles and yelled at them. PTV executives asked the demonstrators not to attack the police. Station executives vowed to stage weekly Friday rallies. Junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin vowed to prosecute any former Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
leaders if they provided financial support for the rallies.
Junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin requested Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont
General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
to declare emergency in Bangkok on 28 March 2007 in response to the protests. In an interview, he noted that the protests had so far been peaceful, but that he was afraid the movement could lead to "mutiny and chaos in the country." CNS Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd asked, "What will we do if the numbers of protesters go beyond 100,000? It will greatly damage the country's image." Emergency powers allowed the government to ban public gatherings, impose curfews and censor local news reports. Surayud did not comply with the request.
A PTV rally in Bangkok City Hall's Lan Khon Muang grounds on 30 March 2007 was attended by 4,000 people. The rally proceeded under tight security. The Bangkok city government positioned more than 10 municipal garbage trucks full of rotting refuse next to the protest area.
Follow-on protests were planned for Sunday 7 April 2007. Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas warned that the military would not tolerate protests against the junta, and that "whoever tries to cause trouble in the country is nothing else but a traitor," adding that the PTV protesters intended to undermine harmony in the country.
Junta leaders threatened a third time to declare a state of emergency due to PTV's planned protests on 27 April 2007.
Protests organized by PTV and attended by PTV's executives escalated. In July 2007, Veera Musikapong led thousands of protestors in a demonstration outside the house of Privy Councilor Prem Tinsulanonda
Prem Tinsulanonda
General Prem Tinsulanonda is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988. He now serves as the Head of the Privy Council of the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej....
, claiming that he was behind the 2006 coup and the military junta. The government impeded the protests and cracked down on the protestors, wounding many. Several protestors were arrested, including Veera, an interim National Human Rights Commissioner, and a former Chief Justice of the Criminal Court. Afterwards, junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin visited Prem to apologise for the protests on behalf of the government. One day later, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, along with 34 members of his Cabinet, went to Prem's house to apologize to Prem for "apologise for failing to take good care of him." Surayud accused the protestors of trying to "bring down the highest institution of the country."