Civic forums slam Paiboon’s bids

Published on September 17, 2005 - Civic groups in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai yesterday held public forums to slam the takeover bid for Matichon newspaper by entertainment baron Paiboon Damrongchaitham.

The forums took place prior to news that Paiboon had agreed to reduce his stake in Matichon Plc from 32 per cent to 20 per cent.

“We cannot stand idly by when Paiboon’s GMM Grammy, seen as close to the government, is buying into Matichon, a newspaper critical of the government,” activist Prapas Ngosungnoen told the Nakhon Ratchasima meeting.

About 150 northeastern activists gathered at the plaza in front of the provincial hall. The People’s Network of Thailand and the Isaan People’s Network issued a joint statement condemning the attempted Matichon Plc buyout.

“People are being led by their nose under the combined force of ‘Thaksinomics’ and Grammy,” the statement said, referring to the populist polices of PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Participants expressed concern that the government was close to achieving complete control over media outlets, citing the takeover of iTV by a telecom conglomerate controlled by Thaksin’s family, the recent shutting down of several community radio stations and Paiboon’s expansion into the print media.

In Chiang Mai, about 10 civic groups organised a public session at Chiang Mai University to attack the inroads into Matichon and Post Publishing.

Activist Jiraporn Witayasakphan criticised Paiboon’s potential cross-ownership of entertainment, broadcast and print businesses.

“If Paiboon is allowed to dominate media outlets, then the future of the free press is in jeopardy,” Jiraporn said.

Another activist, Manoon Thainurak, said the cosy relationship between the government and GMM Grammy was behind the lack of progress in liberalising the media sector. “Although Article 40 of the Constitution prescribes media reform, the government appears to be leaning toward Grammy, which is trying to rule over the media industry,” he said.