Governors warned over ASTV ban

BANGKOK (The Nation): The Democrat Party yesterday warned provincial governors they would be at risk of violating the Constitution if they blocked ASTV broadcasts in line with Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung’s instruction.

Although Chalerm backpedalled from Friday’s threat by arguing he wanted cable operators to just gag inflammatory comments instead of imposing a total ban on ASTV broadcasts of the Bangkok street protests, tampering with the free press is a constitutional offence, the Democrats said.

“Provincial governors might fall prey to Chalerm’s legal blunder if they rush to comply with his verbal order before checking relevant laws,” Democrat MP Boonyod Sukthinthai said.

Boonyod was referring to a brief halt to broadcasts in Khon Kaen before they were resumed following the discovery that Chalerm’s order was not sanctioned by law.

PAD leaders said yesterday their rally would continue until they were assured the government was not trying to interfere with the legal system involving cases against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.