Thai censorship hits the New York Times
A critical piece about the economic and social situation in Thailand under the junta was not published by the Thai printer of The International New York Times. In the Thai edition of the newspaper, which is read mainly by expats and other foreigners in Thailand, the original article has now been replaced by a white space on the front page.
There are two lines in the plane: “The article in this space was removed by our printer in Thailand. The International New York Times and its editorial staff had no role in its removal.”
The article can be read on the website of the newspaper and is quite critical of the policy in Thailand with a clear reference to the junta that forms the current government. The newspaper says in the article that Thailand has now been overtaken economically by neighboring countries and dthat the military regime is primarily concerned with silencing critics.
The NY Times continues to write about the skyrocketing debt burden of Thai households. It would be one of the heaviest in Asia. The number of thefts increased by 60 percent this year and a salesperson from a fruit and vegetable store says in the article that 'no one wants to smile anymore'.
It is the second time in three months that the local printer in Thailand has censored coverage of The International New York Times. The printing company says it has the right not to publish articles that are "too sensitive". The previously blocked article, in September, was about the future of the Thai monarchy. Then the whole newspaper did not come out.
Source: NOS.nl
Quote: “The newspaper says in the article that Thailand has now been overtaken economically by neighboring countries”.
Thailand's economy is much larger than that of neighboring countries, so you can't catch up, at least not now, and if it does, it will be for many decades to come.
I think it said roughly that the neighboring countries are now growing strongly and Thailand is not, or even shrinking.
I think everyone understands that it is about economic growth, but thank you for the explanation.
Everyone who lives in SE Asia, of course, understands that, but there are also readers of this website in the Low Countries who may not be aware of everything. Several times I have seen surprised reactions from compatriots living in NL when I told about the double-deck roads in BKK, the high level of various hospitals, the beautiful metro lines, etc.
As an aside, headlines could sometimes be more precise, for example a few years ago: “European economy at a standstill”, which of course meant that there was zero growth. The well-known economist Jaap van Duijn then posed the following question: “Are all Dutch people on holiday at the same time, are all French people on strike, are all Germans stuck in traffic jams?”
Well, I think the name of the newspaper should be changed to “Thai National corrected news and international other news” or something like that. I am not a newspaper specialist, but isn't the task of correcting news placed with the editor and not with the printer?
Well, I think it's the Thai way. Fortunately, there is also internet….. although.
The article in question can also be read on the NYT website. Even without a subscription and also in Thailand.
It's not about what is being censored, but THAT is being censored. To silence critics. That is what I have warned about several times on this blog. It is a result of dictatorial behavior by those who have usurped power.
Wibart rightly says that the content of the newspaper is determined by the editors and not by the printer. But the printer is apparently afraid of the consequences of the repressive policy. The sale of the newspaper could possibly be banned, or, possibly worse, the printing plant could be closed. Well, the editors apparently accept the banning of the newspaper with the placement of the article. Therein lies the cause. The printer must therefore show his colors and stop his printing press if he does not want to print an article. But that is succumbing to the perpetrator of the censorship.
Moderator: Unfortunately, we also have to be careful. Mainly to protect our people in Thailand. Please do not point too emphatically and blame.
The article has probably been read by more people now than if it had just been posted.
It seems like a pointless action that blockade .. That news can still be picked up, it also draws attention to that news and the Thai government is in awe at the censorship and the failure of that censorship, because the article is just as can be read.
Freedom happiness, well that does not apply to Thailand. If anything is written critically about Thailand in The Economist or any magazine, the magazine is not on the shelves. Be glad that you are not kept stupid in the Netherlands.