The Thai government is considering legal action against community radio stations that is says are being used for political purposes, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance reports. Quoting The Nation newspaper, it said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Satit Wangnongtaey, had instructed the Public Relations Department’s broadcasting sub-committee to take legal action against at least five community radio stations in Chiang Mai, Lam Phun, Udon Thani and Bangkok.
“These stations instigate unrest in the country. We must take up action,” Mr Satit said. He added that he would let the sub-committee decide what legal action to take against the radio stations. “Some of these stations use aggressive language,” he added.
Although Mr Satit gave an assurance that the government was not targeting supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, almost all these radio stations are located in known strongholds of Mr Thaksin. The Bangkok Post said the minister had also called on the public to submit to the government recordings of radio stations suspected of violating the constitution.
(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)
