Thaksin supporters launch DTV

Politicians linked to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will on Monday launch the DTV satellite television station, with the goal of advancing democracy and opposing coups.

Banned Thai Rak Thai Party executive Adisorn Piangket yesterday said the station would be managed by D Station, with himself as chairman.

It is being co-founded by anti-coup activists linked to the pro-Thaksin camp, he told a press conference.

Thaksin was not involved in establishing or financing the station, but rather the founders raised funds from friends and family to start the venture.

"Thaksin is floating in the ocean right now. He has almost nothing left, not even land to live on. We don't dare bother him," he said.

Key supporters of the station are Jatuporn Prompan, Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua, Noppadon Pattama, Sunai Jullapongsathorn and Wichit Plangsrisakul.

Programming is varied but with a theme of promoting democracy; for example, the "Truth Today" talk show by Veera, Natthawut and Jatuporn, "Talk to Adisorn" hosted by Adisorn and "Democracy Station" with former government spokesman Suparat Nakbunnam.

"Senior Lawyer" will be hosted by Thana Benjathikul, "World View" by a former PM's Office minister and "House Number 111" by Wichit.

Phra Phayom Kallayano, the popular abbot of Suan Kaew Temple, will air his daily morning dharma talk on the station.

Even though Thaksin was not involved in opening the station, he is welcome to phone in to any of these programmes whenever he wants and if he has something to explain to the public, Natthawut said.

A special one-hour programme will be aired each Sunday to comment on issues discussed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in his weekly talk show on NBT.

The group had planned to go on air on March 1 but moved the launch forward because of the changing political situation, Adisorn said.

Viewers who can receive ASTV, cable-television operators and community radio stations can tune in to DTV for free, Natthawut said.

The founders raised funds to run the station by selling energy drinks, bottled water, fruit juice and other products, such as eggs, under the brand "Truth Today", he said.

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said the new station was free to broadcast, although it must abide by laws governing its content.

Satit dismissed concerns about possible government intervention, saying there was no plans to tamper with media freedom.

Even if the deposed premier were to call in from abroad during broadcasts, Satit anticipates no problems, since Thaksin has a right to do so.

But he reminded media outlets to exercise professional judgement when reporting news that seemed to sow divisiveness.