Thai gov't confirms 'red-shirts' TV airing shut down
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Thailand's PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey confirmed Thursday that the airing in all the frequencies by the People's Channel (PTV), a "red-shirts" TV channel, has been shut down.
This came one day after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in and around Bangkok.
The broadcast by the PTV through the ThaiCom satellite had been inaccessible earlier Thursday morning while that through NSS6 could be seen until about 11:10 a.m.
Earlier in the day the Army's spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd indicated the authorities may seize broadcast equipment of the PTV if the station goes on airing distorted information.
"The shutting down of a media will be made if it distorts information to cause misunderstanding," Sansern said.
"We will not use the signal blocking method but we will seize control of the broadcast equipment. If they purchase new equipment and do not distort the information again, they may resume the broadcast," he said.
Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panitharn Wattanayakorn also said the government might seize broadcast equipment of the station instead of blocking its transmission from satellites.
Abhisit declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some areas of the nearby five provinces in a TV live address at about 6:00 p. m. Wednesday to deal with the ongoing anti-government rally by "red-shirts".
The anti-government movement has been staging a major rally since March 12 in Bangkok to pressure the Prime Minister to dissolve the parliament and hold a snap election.
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