Exec says 'Nua Mek' decision was his alone

Channel 3 executive producer Somrak Narongwichai insisted yesterday that the decision to cancel the series 'Nua Mek' was his alone and was not the result of any political pressure.

Somrak was testifying before the House committee on political development, media and public participation. It was the first time an executive of Channel 3 had officially explained the reason for the cancellation of the popular show, which centres on a prime minister and his corrupt deputy.

He said he was concerned that the three final episodes of the series would create public misunderstanding. He admitted the abrupt cancellation of the show was premature but that he acted within his authority and wanted to prevent mistakes such as what happened when the "Thailand's Got Talent" show aired a stunt by a topless woman painting a picture with her breasts.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's Thawatchai Jitpanant said officials had viewed the first nine episodes of "Nua Mek 2" and did not find any content in violation of the law. The NBTC would scrutinise the unaired final three episodes.

"If all of them are alright, we will consider some measures against Channel 3," Thawatchai said.