Calls to control TV violence, sex

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation's mediawatch project manager, Tham Cheusathapanasiri, told a seminar yesterday that 80 per cent of 113 dramas last year had "Nor 13" and "Nor 18" (restricted for children under 13 and 18) ratings. About 36 per cent showed love conflicts that led to violence, such as murder, assault, detention and rape. Most of such violent dramas were aired between 8pm and midnight. Dramas aired in the "family time" period from 4pm to 8pm featured similar violence, while the period from midday to 4pm showed reruns of dramas with direct violence, Tham said.

Family Network for Media Watch leader Anyaorn Panichpuengrat said a study from March 9 to 22 had assessed 20 TV dramas from 16.00 to 22.30 with regard to the Public Relations Department's TVcontentrating guidelines. They found that 30 per cent of them were rated as "Tor" - for all viewers - while 40 per cent were rated "Nor 13" and 30 per cent "Nor 18" but none were rated "Dor" - for child viewers. She too urged the establishment of an agency to assess TV content.

Dr Suriyadev Tripati from the Queen's National Children's Health Institute warned that, if a TV programme had four sex scenes per hour, it could clearly affect the youths' behaviour and such violent scenes should be rated and broadcast at appropriate times.

National Telecommunications Commission's subpanel member Torpong Selanont said a mediacontrol law was being drafted and admitted that the blank period after the old law was cancelled and the more commercialised media created led to selfishness and violence as a solution to problems.