Thai PBS TV channel removes programme host at junta’s request

Thailand’s Public Broadcasting Service, Thai PBS, reportedly removed the host of a programme which allowed people to voice opinions on the junta’s reform plans after junta representatives met with the channel’s executives, Isara News Agency reported on Friday.
 
Isara News Agency reported that five high ranking military officers met with the channel’s executives at the TV station’s headquarters. The officers said their supervisors urged the Thai PBS to stop broadcasting the programme called “Voices of the People that must be heard before the Reform” because they were upset with how Nattaya Wawweerakhup, the programme host, asked questions of villagers and activists, some of which allegedly touched on the coup d’état.  
 
The episode which led to the junta’s censorship was on the southern people’s thoughts on reform, which was taped at Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The episode was aired on 8 November.  
 
After the meeting, the Thai PBS executives ruled to remove Nattaya from the programme. They also changed the programme from talks with villagers and activists to merely reporting news from the area. 
 
Nattaya has confirmed via Facebook with Isara News Agency that she was removed from the programme. 
 
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Nattaya Wawweerakhup (Photo courtey of her Facebook acount)

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