Thai reporters recall day of bloody clashes

In the introduction to this pock¬etbook - titled "A record of October 7 by journalists: the many different facts"- editor Theeradet Eiumsamran said he wanted reporters and photographers to write about what they saw without personal opinions. The 280page book that resulted might not be the ideal form of jour¬nal, but it was most readable, as the authors risked their lives at the scene on that fateful day, he said. It carries a price tag of Bt190.

Sunai Phasuk, coordinator of Human Rights Watch in Thailand, praised the pocketbook as a strong compilation of stories by reporters at different spots during the clash, allowing readers many views woven together.

With a narration that mixed emo¬tion, feeling and facts, this book was powerful and lively, he said". [It] also helps balance to and completes the report on the clash by the National Human Rights Commission."

Kavi Chongkittavorn, assistant group editor of Nation Multimedia Group and the association's adviser, said this book showed the Thai media's approach to news coverage remained where one's own safety was disregarded, unlike foreign media members trained to cover such news.

He urged Thai media members be informed about a protest by relat¬ed agencies such as the police, the Thai Journalists Association to set standards for equipment used, and to provide mental rehabilitation for reporters covering such events. He also urged compensation for damage or loss, on top of that provided by the Social Security Office and life insur¬ance, because covering news of this type could mean high risk to a reporter's life.