Angry army chief raps 'inappropriate' TV show on monarchy

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LESE MAJESTE

Prayuth takes aim at TV monarchy debate

Published: 20 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Online news: Politics

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has lashed out at the Tob Jote TV programme for broadcasting a debate over the role of the monarchy.

Prayuth: ‘Timing was not appropriate’

He said airing the broadcast was inappropriate at a time of political conflict.

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meme
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Discussion 39 : 20 Mar 2013 at 21.4639
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The debate was simply yet another decision by the fugitive and we all know his motive.
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howell
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Discussion 38 : 20 Mar 2013 at 20.4438
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@boobtong. Red misguided or lying propaganda :'...engineered situations for the army to come in with war weapons and snipers...' The demonstrators were heavily armed . Period.

If democracy was really their aim Thaksin should have accepted an early election. A forced change of government as a result of a violent armed insurgency would not be democratic and as bad, if not worse than a bloodless coup. Elections were due with 2 years anyway. As you red boys like to remind everyone, democracy is about voting. It was never about democracy but his money and passport.
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boontong
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Discussion 37 : 20 Mar 2013 at 18.0237
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soltair#22-They would not be a redshirt/UDD demonstration if there was no coup that topple the people elected government. The red/UDD demonstration was to demand a government arranged and install at the military barrack to return power to the people immediately. BTW, the demonstrations started off peacefully and the illegitimate government engineered situations for the army to come in with war weapons and snipers so that they can stay on with their ill gain power. They were defeated by the people who awakened and exercised their voting right. Supporting military coup for whatever reason is not educating people about democracy & justice.
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 36 : 20 Mar 2013 at 17.3836
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"Has anyone ever asked the Thai people what they think?"
Disc 8

You make a good point and ask a very good question.

The Irony is that, Thais wouldn't or couldn't answer the question honestly for fear of being prosecuted, even if the survey was a secret one.

It's also a question that the powers-that-be would not want to ask for fear of getting a different answer than the one that supports the commonly held belief.
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Bangon
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Discussion 35 : 20 Mar 2013 at 17.2035
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A popular soap opera can be taken off the air when possibly scratching the oversized image of a convict on the run. But the same convict can buy airtime to address Thai viewers during a popular boxing event abroad. Same same but different... One should apply extreme caution to conflictual content shown on Thai TV to the gullible uneducated masses! Censorship: NO! Common sense: YES! The General should not have felt the need to speak, as the TV producers should not have aired this debate in the first place! But wasn't there a 'hidden agenda' in doing so, a political, PTP, one maybe?
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gwats
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Discussion 34 : 20 Mar 2013 at 16.1534
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I am in awe of the love and respect the Thai People have for their Monarchy. Our leaders don't even get a fraction of the respect your Royals do. If I understand the issue here, then perhaps the General should concentrate on other matters, and leave the running of the Country to the Civilian leaders, and enforce whatever laws they create? In the USA, Military men concentrate on Military matters, and leave the secular matters to elected officials.
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JustHuman
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Discussion 33 : 20 Mar 2013 at 14.0533
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By the way, in fact, the General did not say that CANNOT.
He simply stressed that "Timing was not appropriate at the time of political conflict."
Anyone has any idea WHEN will be appropriate?
When will there be a time that no political conflict in Thailand?
Probably never!
In that case, the TV Debate Programme will never be aired = CANNOT.
Simple Maths. 1-1=0.
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joninnak
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Discussion 32 : 20 Mar 2013 at 14.0132
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It is very good to see that all, no matter what coloured shirt, are in the same mind with this issue.
wouldn't it be nice if this was the start of a lovable relationship
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tamsin
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Discussion 31 : 20 Mar 2013 at 13.5631
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This is a no brainer. The Military have no 'voice' in a democracy. End of.
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hugo
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Discussion 30 : 20 Mar 2013 at 12.4130
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I think Thai Lese Majeste Law is appropriate and should not be modified.
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