<p>The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Journalists, Thailand (NUJT) deplores the comments made by Thai military junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha against journalists on Wednesday, March 25. The IFJ and NUJT condemn the comments as a threat to press freedom in Thailand, noting that the comments illustrate the continued decline of press freedom in Thailand over the past 12 months.<br /><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today urged the authorities in Thailand to release Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, editor-in-chief of Voice of the Oppressed (Voice of Taksin), who is held under Thai L&egrave;se Majest&eacute; Law. The journalist, who was detained on 30 April 2011, is accused of publishing articles which allegedly made negative references to the monarch.</p>