Journalist Watchdog Disturbed by Thailand's Ban of Asian Magazine by Phairath Khampha 16 January 2002 An international press watchdog said on January 9, 2002 it was deeply disturbed by the ban of an Asian magazine in Thailand for a report that claimed tensions between the country's prime minister and its revered king. The January 10 issue of the SAR-based Far Eastern Economic Review weekly was banned two days before on grounds that it had violated a 1941 printing law by publishing statements or words that "might lead to social and national disorder". The New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists said in an open letter to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that "this act of censorship by your government is out of character with Thailand's commitment to press freedom." A copy of the letter was received by The Associated Press in Bangkok. It said use of the outdated 1941 law was "out of step" with Thailand's 1997 Constitution that guarantees press freedom. It called on Mr Thaksin to lift the ban and support the repeal of the 1941 law. Kudeb Saikrachang, the deputy government spokesman, claimed the ban was imposed by the police without the knowledge of the government. This was within the police's jurisdiction, he said. "The government didn't order the ban. We understand the freedom of press very well," he told the AP. The government would consider the committee's demand to rescind the ban, Kudeb added. He did admit, however, that Thaksin had "made it understood" that negative media portrayals of him or his method of governance "should be discourgaed". The police, making sure that the hand that feeds them is not bitten, took their own initiative, so to speak. He said he did not think the ban resulted from Thaksin's comments on January 6 that the government was considering suing the magazine over the offending article. The Far Eastern Economic Review, which writes about economic and political issues of Asia, has said that it stood by its story. The magazine is owned by the US-based Dow Jones and Company. Police said the ban was for the sale and distribution of only the latest issue and not subsequent editions. The Committee to Protect Journalists said that much of the information in the one paragraph article was based on a December 5 speech by King Bhumibol Adulyadej in which he criticised Mr Thaksin's performance as prime minister. In his speech, the King of Thailand, Bhumiphol Adulydej, delivering one of his strongest birthday speeches ever, warned that corruption, ego, and double standards were doing a disservice to Thailand, which he suggested was staring catastrophe in the face. His Majesty the King warned that Thailand was stepping backwards to disaster instead of making progress and cautioned the prime minister to be tolerant of criticism. Arrogance, disunity, selfishness and double standards was causing the ruin of the country. It was nothing short of a slap in the face of Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Having denied throughout his first year in office just how bad a situation the country was in, the prime minister, who had so often blasted respected and knowledgeable critics who have dared question his policies, was made to face up to reality by the one person who can truly make him listen--the King. [see Thailand's King Warns of Social Catastrophe for Thailand]. In his New Year card, while wishing all a happy and prosperous new year 2002, the King also had a message, which he hoped greedy and corrupt politicians and government officers would heed. He said it seemed that only two-legged animals had the most problems and that Thais should solve the country's problems by using their head, not their feet, as it seemed the goverment is wont to do. Although the king is a constitutional monarch with no role in governance, he is held in high esteem among ordinary Thai people who often see him as the only shield from corrupt, greedy and sometimes violently brutal corrupt politicians, government officers and crony businessmen. The Thai media and people in general almost never make controversial comments about the king in public. Thailand's emerging democracy has one of the freest presses in Asia but Mr Thaksin has been intolerant of dissent. His government and supporters moved to curb criticism of him in the state-run and privately owned media.