CAT Telecom objects to Sondhi’s petition to reinstate broadcast signal and insists talk show ban is justified

February 2nd, 2006 by admin

THAILAND: Court makes Sondhi petition urgent issue
CAT Telecom objects to Sondhi’s petition to reinstate broadcast signal and insists talk show ban is justified

Bangkok Post
Wednesday, February 1, 2006

By Manop Thip-Osod and Penchan Charoensuthipan

The Central Administrative Court yesterday took up as a matter of urgency a petition by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul to lift the ban on the satellite broadcasting of his “Thailand Weekly” talk show. The Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT), meanwhile, was quick to lodge its request to the court objecting to Mr Sondhi’s petition. It insisted the broadcast ban was justified.

The court received the petition, submitted by ThaiDay Dotcom Co under Manager Media Group, which said the ban, ordered by the CAT, had cost the company 200,000 baht a day in fines as it could not broadcast the show to China-based ASTV, which relays it to the public.

“The cancellation troubles us and the public, whose free access to news and information is also being repeatedly blocked,” said Suwat Aphaiphak, Mr Sondhi’s lawyer.

Mr Suwat also asked the court to order the CAT and Public Relations Department to pay four million baht in compensation for damages plus interest accrued up to the day CAT, which rents out the satellite service to the company, agrees to lift the broadcast ban.

The petition was filed against CAT, its acting managing director Phisan Chorphochaudom, assistant managing director Jirachai Srichon, the Public Relations Department, its director-general Dusadee Sinjermsiri and his deputy Phatriya Sumano.

Mrs Phatriya told the CAT on Jan 20 to cancel its satellite service to ThaiDay Dotcom company, which produces the Thailand Weekly talk show, after the Public Relations Department found that the company had not obtained permission to broadcast the programme.

In an effort to counter the company’s charges, Mr Phisan yesterday immediately sent a complaint to the court, saying the company’s request to lift the ban was “unreasonable” because it had violated the law.

He also accused the talk show of intending to insult the government and officials, damaging individual reputations.

It did not benefit the public and incited social chaos.

The court summoned the two sides to testify today.

Meanwhile, Mr Sondhi insisted that he would not back down and continue with his planned mass rally at Sanam Luang on Feb 4.

He said he would use the occasion to send a petition to His Majesty the King through Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

“I will tell the King that many people are bearing the brunt of the behaviour of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,” Mr Sondhi said.

Metropolitan Police Bureau yesterday discussed the security measures for the Feb 4 gathering when supporters of Mr Sondhi and an alliance of teachers upset with the government’s school transfer plan, may clash with those supporting the government.

Police from all 88 city stations, together with 2,000 riot control officers, will likely be deployed around the venue.

The police were reportedly worried that if the PM’s clarification of the controversial Shin Corp share sales was unclear, more people would then join the Sondhi-led demonstration.

Mr Sondhi, who was in Surat Thani’s Muang district yesterday, said the government had failed to straighten out many allegations involving power abuse and corruption.