On 20 July 2010, the Thai Cabinet revoked the use of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation, B.E. 2548 (2005) in three more provinces, namely, Lampang Roi Et and Sakon Nakhon.  The decision was made based on the assessment that the situation there had returned fully to normalcy.  With this and the earlier cabinet decision on 13 July 2010 to lift the state of emergency in five provinces, the Emergency Decree now remains in effect in 16 provinces where its use is still deemed necessary.  These are: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathumthani, Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Rachasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Bua Lampoo, Mahasarakham and Mukdahan.

     Be that as it may, the use of the Emergency Decree has not affected ordinary people and their normal way of life or conduct of businesses.  The use of the Emergency Decree in the remaining provinces is also under constant review.  The Prime Minister stated during his press interview after the Cabinet meeting on 20 July that the National Security Council has to submit regular reports on the implementation of measures under the Emergency Decree so as to ensure oversight and to facilitate consideration of whether the Decree should be further revoked in the remaining provinces.

     On a separate matter, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva took the opportunity during his weekly television programme on 18 July 2010 to inform the public about media reform and his Government’s intention and approach on the issue, which is part of the country’s reconciliation plan.

     The Prime Minister noted that unlike other aspects of the reconciliation plan, no committee would be set up on this issue.  He added that what should be considered was how the media could operate with freedom and exercise such freedom in a constructive manner, and that the Government would like the media to be self-regulated as much as possible.  In this regard, various media organisations have organised a number seminars, while Mr. Ongart Klampaiboon, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, who is in charge of media issues, and Dr. Yubol Benjarongkij, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, have been coordinating with them.

     Noting the concern in some quarters that the Government might attempt to interfere with the media, Prime Minister Abhisit said that to assure the media, he had met with representatives of the media and various groups to exchange views.  Among the issues discussed were on-going efforts to enact a law to protect the media profession and expedite laws related to the regulation of television and radio, with an independent regulatory body, in accordance with the Constitution, as well as the need for the Government to support the strengthening of media organisations.  There was a convergence of views that a self-regulating body to oversee televisions and radios, in particular, had to be strengthened as it might not have enough experience while having to cope with a rapidly changing environment. Here, civil society organisations (CSO) could contribute to media reform.  For instances, CSO could play a role in monitoring whether the media provided fair access to all sides or presented inappropriate contents.  This should also be strengthened.  In this regard, the Prime Minister said that the Office of the Health Promotion Fund, which had already been providing support for such a role by CSO or other independent agencies – rather than the Government – should play a greater part on this as well as in working with other organisations concerned.  There also needs to be closer coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission as well as the succeeding National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to be established.

     Prime Minister Abhisit further noted the need to find a more balanced approach for certain types of media, such as the Internet, saying that there had been complaints, on the one hand, that it had at times been inappropriately utilised and, on the other, that the authorities’ measures with regard to the Internet sometimes appeared rather excessive, such as the blocking of access to an entire website when problems occurred due to comments on certain web boards.  To address this problem, a number of laws may have to be amended – be they the law on public information to allow greater access by the media or those related to libel and computer crimes. 

     As for state media, the Prime Minister said that these would also need to be reformed.  In this regard, the Minister Ongart would be working towards opening space to ensure greater variety.  In particular, with regard to Channel 11 or NBT, effort would be made so as to have programmes where both the Government and the opposition could jointly express their views, thereby serving as fora that reflect the spirit of democracy.
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