Junta chief warns against hate speech in the media

THAILAND -  The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chairman urged for cooperation from the media to refrain from running any hate speech for the sake of peace, unity, and reconciliation in the country.

He warned the media of the consequence of any ill-intentioned attempt to fan hatred and rifts through these hate speeches. In his weekly TV program “Return Happiness to the People”, Friday night, Gen Prayuth told editors and news chiefs that if any media continued to run groundless reports or reports that damage the country, they have to take responsibility because the media are under their supervision.

And he made clear that his statement applied to all forms of media – from print to television, satellite broadcasting, cable stations, radio, community radio and even social media.

 He also took to task some community radio stations which do not play the national anthem (usually twice a day at 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.) saying they should better start now or they would be shut down. “

Our country is not in a normal situation he said.

I have to call your attention to limit reports which stir or widen conflicts including those of which the facts are not verified,” he said.

On the alleged purges of government officials, Gen Prayuth clarified that the decision to transfer more senior officials was made to improve the performances of state agencies and boost the morale of dedicated officials.

There was no intention by the council to use the transfers as a way to build a base to hold on to power, he reiterated and indicated more transfers were in the pipeline. “We have to give good officials a chance to work. We will change until we find good, honest officials,” he said.

Most senior officials removed from their top positions and placed on inactive jobs as advisors in the Prime Minister’s Office had close ties to the former Pheu Thai Party-led government.

Gen Prayuth also touched on the migrant worker problem with pledge to protect all legal migrant workers after the council gave them an opportunity to register with officials.

The first office for illegal workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia was opened in Samut Sakhon province on Monday, he said.

More one-stop-service offices would be opened in seven provinces namely Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya, Rayong, Songkhla, Samut Prakan and Surat Thani.