BANGKOK — Thai junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has continued his polemic against reporters, who he accused yesterday of being paid to criticize his government.

Since seizing power in a coup last year, Gen. Prayuth has developed a turbulent relationship with the press, who are often the target of his angry outbursts.

Although Gen. Prayuth has stopped short of directly censoring the media, he hasorganized meeting with news editors to ask for "cooperation" with his government, ordered reporters not to ask provocative questions, and issued laws that forbid the media from criticizing the junta with "insincere intentions."

After a lengthy rant against reporters yesterday, the junta leader aired more of his grievances with the media's coverage of his government today, going as far as accusing reporters of "intruding on his rights."

Below is an excerpt from the press conference at the Government House in Bangkok: 

Prayuth: Today you attack me often. But I am not afraid of you. If you want to write, then write, but you have to be fair to me. I will ask people from around the country what they think about it. Many people don't like the way you write. Why do you have to write that way? You wrote that I pressure you and prevent you from speaking. Why do you think you have power over me? I'm always the one who is wrong. Of course! The media needs to have this special power! You can ask anything. It depends on the Prime Minister, if he wants to answer, he will answer. If he doesn't, then he won't. You have to ask yourself – don't ask me about some things that are your business. We are equal here. You don't have any privileges over me. We are the people, equally. 

[Around 10 reporters start to leave the press conference.]

Prayuth: Why are you leaving? What's the matter with you?

[A reporter explains that they have to attend another briefing at the Government House about the economy.]

Prayuth: Next time ask for my permission first before you abruptly walk away like that. I thought you were angry and walked away from me. Whatever. Go listen to that briefing and write about it.

[The reporters leave and Prayuth turns back to the remaining reporters.]

Prayuth: It's not like I want to be moody. I have never insulted any of you. I only ask, when you ask me questions, to please consider my mood. When I answer, I look at my mood, and I look at your mood. I am not the enemy of any media agencies. Why are you so vengeful of me? I don't get it. You are still the same divisive media. I don't want to talk about this. I want all of you to be calm. If everyone is not calm, I will not be calm, and I am much less calm than all of you. My time is limited. I have started and tried to address 100 issues. I started with the first part, and I will let the next government work on the second part. 

[A reporter asks Prayuth if he has seen the Thai Journalist Association's statement¹ condemning his accusation that journalists are ordered by editors to write negatively about his government.]

Prayuth: They can issue whatever statement they want. They are coming after me at this time. When [the media] does something wrong, has this damn council ever done anything? Anything?

[A reporter reminds Prayuth that the statement criticizes his allegation that journalists are ordered to criticize his government.]

Prayuth: Fine, fine, you said you weren't [ordered to do that], so be it. I have seen [the statement]. But why did it turn out like that? You write that way. Never mind, I am never angry at you anyways. It's just that I am moody sometimes. I have to think a lot about many projects to help move the entire country forward. I give orders for the whole country. I do not only sit and listen to people’s proposals and sign my approval. Sometimes I initiate things and I use suggestions from here and there to help my decisions. There are function works [he uses English] and policy works. Over 20 issues. And then there are problems that have been here for a long time. I have spoken about so many things, but you accuse me of doing nothing. Be fair to me. 

[A reporter asks Prayuth if he has any friends in the media.]

Prayuth: I am a friend of all media agencies. I am not your enemy. But you cannot have power over me. It doesn't work like that. I do not have power over you, and you do not have power over me. That's all. We have to cooperate to help this country move forward, so that foreign countries will honor us, so that they will see Thailand has solved its conflicts. Why don't you write like that? If you keep writing like this, trade and investment won't come, tourism will be worse. What I am saying to you today concerns the future. Today, why don't you look at it this way: this Prime Minister will be gone soon, let's put some hope in the next one who will continue his work? Write like that. You can keep teasing and taunting me in other ways. I am not angry. But [I am] when you write that I didn't do anything, and when you keep writing about politics. Today politics has not yet been reborn. There's no politics. Save your fights for when there are politics. I am not fighting with anyone. There are people whose lives are on the edge because of droughts, and I am only thinking about how to provide water and income to farmers.

[A reporter asks Prayuth if he will summon news editors for a meeting as officials have suggested.]

Prayuth: No. Why do I have to talk to them? Are they in my chain of command? No they are not. I talked to them when I first came to power, but it didn't get any better. So I won't talk to them anymore. I'm too lazy to do it. But if something good comes out of it, I will talk to them. If it's the same, then I won't talk. Enough. It's wasting my time. Show me some respect. That's all I have asked for. I already show respect to the media. Don't intrude on my rights. On that day when I invited the media executives, they were all so nice. ‘Yes, sir. Yes, brother. We will talk about it, sir.’ But on the next day, they insulted me again. So why would I want to talk to them again? Ok? Thank all of you. I spoke loudly sometimes today. I apologize for that. 

^1. An excerpt from the statement issued by the Thai Journalist Association in response to Gen. Prayuth's suggestion that journalists are ordered to report negatively about his administration.

"The accusation by the Prime Minister that journalists were ordered to write only negative things causes great pain to us journalists. We journalists have never seen Gen. Prayuth as our enemy. Our criticism is full of our concerns for the country. The Prime Minister has his own channels to explain about or take legal action against any criticism that is unfair to him."

BANGKOK — Seven pro-democracy activists successfully filed complaints against three security officers who allegedly abused them during a protest last month, following a stand-off with police that lasted for nearly seven hours yesterday.

The seven activists are among those charged with violating the junta's ban on protests by staging an anti-coup "sit-in" in Bangkok on 22 May – the first anniversary of the 2014 coup d'etat. Police and army officers forcefully broke up the peaceful demonstration by dragging each activist away from the scene.

The seven activists, most of whom are university students, arrived at Pathumwan Police Station at around 1 pm yesterday to file complaints against two army and one police officers who allegedly kicked, punched, and taunted them during the crackdown. 

Police initially prevented the group from entering the police station, leading to a seven-hour standoff, until Col. Burin Thongprapai, an officer from the martial court, arrived at the scene and negotiated with the activists. Acting on Col. Burin's command, police finally permitted the activists’ legal representatives to file the complaint on their behalf at around 8 pm. 

After an hour, their lawayers emerged and declared they had successfully filed the complaint against the three security officers, identified as Pol.Col. Charut Saruttayaporn, Col. Suwit Ketsri, and Lt.Col. Passakorn Kularawiwan.

The seven activists, who had been joined by around 60 other student activists and supporters, then dispersed from the scene without any arrests. 

The seven pro-democracy activists who filed a complaint against security officers after a seven hour stand-off outside Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok, 24 June 2015.

The activists who filed the complaint are Rangsiman Rome, 22; Chonthicha Chaengrew, 22; Ratthapol Supasopon, 22; Songtham Kaewpanpruek, 23; Pornchai Yuanyee, 24; Pakorn Areekul, 26; and Abhisit Sapnaphapan, 29.  

The charges filed by the activists are largely symbolic, as security officers are exempted from any legal prosecution if a martial court deems their actions "not excessive" and committed within "sincere intention," according to an order issued by junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha on 2 April.

Despite photographic evidence of the forceful crackdown, leading government officials have also denied that security officers acted excessively. 

Of the nine people charged in connection with the 22 May demonstration, one reported to police voluntarily on 22 June. Chartchai Kaedum, who had campaigned against the former government toppled by the current junta, said he was only observing the protest, and was mistaken as an activist by a plain-clothed army officer.

Another suspect, Nachacha Kongudom, was arrested at a hospital yesterday morning, where she was being treated for tonsilitis. She was taken to martial court and granted bail on the condition that she does not join any political activities. 

Kritsadang Nutcharus, a lawyer who represented Nachacha and the seven activists at Pathumwan Station last night, has argued that the 22 May demonstration was a lawful expression of opinion.

"The authorities should open their hearts and listen to the activists, instead of suppressing different opinions," Kritsadang said.

Kritsadang also criticized the decision to issue arrest warrants on the seven activists for failing to surrender themselves before the 19 June deadline given by police. According to Kritsadang, the activists were unable to report to police on 19 June, and had announced their intention to report on 24 June, but police ignored their request for a postponement. 

"I'd like to ask the officers to repeal these arrest warrants, because the action of these young people are simply symbolic," Kritsadang said. "The officers should talk to the activists and reach some understanding."

Rangsiman, one of the seven activists, told reporters he believes the police are attempting to "politically bully" him and his friends. He also accused the police of lying to the activists on the night of 22 May by reportedly saying they would not face any charges. 

"We asked the police to release us without any condition, and the police agreed and promised they wouldn't file charges," Rangsiman said. "But they ended up charging us and issuing arrest warrants later." 

He also told the media yesterday, "Let me repeat that we were not here today to surrender ourselves, but to file charges against the police for assaulting us when they arrested us. We resolutely reject any form of dictatorial power of the government and the security officers." 

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha lashed out at the press today, accusing reporters of being paid to criticize his government, and warning that the country is on the brink of collapse.

Gen. Prayuth, who is known for his long-winded and often irritated asides during speeches and press conferences, delivered the tirade at an air force base following his return from a state visit to Myanmar today.

The following is an excerpt from the encounter:

Prayuth: I try to do everything in the best way I can. I am responsible for all problems at this time, no matter what. I will do my best. Today may not be good, but tomorrow will be good. Or do you want things to be good today but face bankruptcy in the future? You have to choose, I guess. You can spend all of your money and get yourself in debt. Eventually you will be bankrupt. It depends on everyone. If you want the country to be peaceful, you have to think things through again.

I am never an enemy of reporters, but these days you still write and attack me everyday. Every paper attacks me. I'm too lazy to speak about this. I have done so much, but no one writes about what I have done. Or when they do, they write so little. But they pay so much attention to the conflicts. There are many conflicts right now. Politics is bad. The climate is bad. Farmers don't get paid. People are calling for a wage raise. Let me ask you: can you write and help the country be peaceful? 

Everyone knows that the problems in this country are global problems. But the media never backs off an inch on these issues. When I speak, you say I try to cover up the truth. Everyone knows about this. You have to help me think, and allow for time to solve the problems, so that there will be sustainability. All the problems have been here for decades, because the structure was not there, and no one fixed it. Today, we will begin by fixing the structures: agriculture, water, infrastructure, laws. We are working to fix everything, but the media keeps writing that I have not done any work at all, that I haven't passed any reforms at all. I am sad, too. I am sad to be born in this country. 

Today we have to change the way Thai people think. It's not as if I don't feel pity. What I do these days, it is because I pity the poor. I pity those who earn little. I'm well aware of how they suffer. If I didn’t pity the poor, I wouldn't be here. Really. There would be no reason for me to stay … Every country that I visit, they are all developed. No one talks about conflicts. Every country wants to end the conflicts. It's only our country that tries to dig it up, this issue, that issue. And then you say that we are suppressing you. If I really suppressed you, things wouldn't be like this. I wouldn't be in bad mood like this. If I were to suppress you, I would have suppressed it all. But I didn't do it. So, you should have some consideration for me. Yet you have none. You write what you want to write. You insult the people you want to insult. 

Many of you didn't elect me, that's true, no one has elected me. It's me who came to this place on my own. Maybe I am here for personal gain? I don't know. The media keeps writing that I have a personal stake in this, I have a personal stake in that. I am here to solve problems for all Thais. But today you divide people into factions. Many people have lost their heart in working. Bureaucrats are also having bad time, because I have to be strict with them, but at the same time they are attacked [by media]. So they don't know what to do. There are many good bureaucrats, over 90 percent are good. They feel disheartened. The Cabinet also doesn't know for whom they will work. We are not seeking any personal gain at all, but we keep getting insulted everyday. You never give us support. I want to ask you: who will [want to] work for you? What do you want from me? I'm bored. I don't want to complain.

Today, I can think about things on my own. Whether about [legalizing] casinos or other issues. If the media wants to criticize me, I ask you to criticize politicians who comment about these things sometimes. Do you dare to do that? Go ask them, why they comment on these issues. What is reform? Ask them sometimes. Especially those former Ministers, ask them how they want the reforms to be. Don't only chase me with questions everyday like this. I tell you everyday, I do things for you everyday, but you won't listen, or you listen but pretend you didn't listen. You keep asking questions because you want to pick a fight. I am not angry at you, reporters, because I know that you were ordered to do this. If you write well, they won't publish your stories. If you write badly, you will get paid. Otherwise, they wouldn't pay you. Everyone knows this. Editors. Rewriters. They have to screen the news. If you write well, they won't publish it.

[Some reporters say that they are not ordered to do such a thing.] 

Prayuth: [raises voice] I don't know! I don't know how you receive [the orders]. But I guess you are all rich. Well, keep writing. Soon this country will just collapse. And then, you won't have salaries anymore. The entire country won't have any money. It's up to you. Foreign countries are ready to invest and move forward. They ask me about everything: so what's Thailand going to do, in tourism, transportation, and other issues. It's only Thailand who keeps talking nonsense. No point at all. You will just create more conflicts. I don't know who you want to win. I don't know. Have you ever thought: if I fail in this, what will happen to the country? Or do you think, to hell with it? The next government will do it anyway. We will be stuck like this. 

I want to say to all of you: think again. I am not accusing anyone of anything, but I think it's time to change your behavior and thoughts. Think of poor people. When will the rain come, when will the flood come, and how will we solve problems? I am thinking with them, but you bring in superfluous problems from above with below. In the end, we cannot fix anything. You have disrupted and brought down the whole system. It doesn’t matter how many reforms or coups there are. There’s no point. Things will be the same. This is the homework that I want all of you to think about.

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BANGKOK — Nearly one hundred police officers barricaded a police station today to prevent pro-democracy activists from filing a legal complaint against officers who they say abused them during a crackdown on their rally last month.

The seven activists had been ordered to surrender at Pathumwan Police Station for violating the junta's ban on protests by leading the anti-coup rally in Bangkok on 22 May – the first anniversary of the 2014 coup d'etat. Police forcefully broke up the peaceful demonstration and arrested more than 30 people that night.

Last night, the activists announced that they would visit Pathumwan Police Station at 1 pm today, not to surrender, but to file charges against two army officers and one police officer who reportedly used excessive violence when they broke up the rally.

Police responded to the announcement by blocking the roads to the station with nearly 100 officers, preventing the seven activists and their supporters from reaching the station and filing the charges. A standoff between police and dozens of anti-coup protesters ensued for at least several hours, with the activists taking turns giving speeches through a loudspeaker. 

Students from Khon Kaen University joined the rally outside of Pathumwan Police Station, 24 June 2015.

The group was joined by pro-democracy activists from Khon Kaen province who have also refused to surrender to authorities after being charged with violating the junta’s protest ban. The Khon Kaen activists, who are leading members of a social justice group called Dao Din, said they arrived in the capital city today to show their moral support.

At the time of writing, police have not arrested any of the activists gathered oustide the station. 

Of the nine activists charged in connection with the 22 May rally in Bangkok, one person voluntarily reported to police earlier this week, and another was arrested from a hospital where she was staying this morning.

The 21-year-old activist who was arrested today, Nachacha Kongudom, was taken to martial court where prosecutors formally charged her and requested that she be jailed at Bangkok Remand Prison while the trial proceeds.

Officials said Nachacha, who is a transgender woman, would have been remanded at a special section in the all-male prison if she was not released on bail. 

However, Nachacha's lawyer successfully asked the court to grant her release, on the condition that she does not engage in any political activities. She was scheduled to be released at around 8 pm tonight. 

Earlier today, three other student activists were briefly detained for laying flowers at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument in commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of the revolution that established parliamentary democracy in Thailand.

Speaking at a press conference today, Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krue-ngam acknowledged that the revolution failed to to turn Thailand into a full-fledged democratic country.

"In the past 83 years, we have seen a lot of political changes,” he said. “There have been 60 governments, 22 [successful and attempted] coups, 29 Prime Ministers, and 19 Constitutions. … Even though a lot of time has passed, right now we have not seen a full-scale democracy."

Asked to comment on what full-scale democracy entails, Wisanu explained, "A full-scale democracy doesn't mean a democracy with international standards, but it means a system in which people are conscious about their rights, duties, responsibilities, and political culture. These are important matters. Let me give you an example: a tree imported from Japan cannot grow beautifully in Thailand because the climate and soil are different. It convinces me that a political system, no matter what system, will not produce same result everywhere."

He concluded, "We have to look at Japan, why they have democracy. The answer is that they have discipline and [good] political culture. So don't only talk about parliament or elections." 

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