PHUKET: Phuketwan journalist Chutima Sidasathian disclosed today that she has been asked by the Prime Minister's office to suggest a solution to the Rohingya issue - at the same time as she is still being sued for criminal defamation by the Royal Thai Navy.
''It's an interesting conflict, isn't it?'' she said. ''I have been a long-time reporter on the issue and I am also doing a PhD on the Rohingya, so my views are considered worthwhile by some.
''Yet I am still being sued by a couple of misguided officers in the Navy over other reporters' words.''
Khun Chutima and her colleague, Australian journalist Alan Morison, have also recently had to deal with hate campaigners on Phuket who used social media and Facebook to try to discredit Phuketwan.
''Apparently it's a serious problem to tell the truth on Phuket, or to suggest that some things need to change,'' Morison said. ''I have also been attacked for 'not understanding Thai culture.'
''If this means not appreciating corruption and cover-ups, then I am definitely guilty.''
Morison said he understood that George Washington's ''I cannot tell a lie'' cherry tree chopping comment was part of American culture in that it encouraged people to tell the truth.
''I am now wondering whether there is a parable in Thai culture that urges people to lie and to apologise to save face,'' Morison said. ''But I believe Buddhist culture is all about telling the truth and being honest, too.''
Khun Chutima said the disclosures during May of graves in the Thailand-Malaysia border jungle camps and of thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshis trapped on traffickers' boats had been a confirmation that ''everything Phuketwan has been writing about for years is true.''
''We were thoroughly delighted to see the talking begin at last in Bangkok on Friday, and we sincerely hope it's the beginning of change for the Rohingya, and for Asean.''
The Royal Thai Navy charges against the journalists were clearly mistaken and remain a barrier to future good relations between the military and the media in Thailand, Morison said.
''Given what's happened in the past few weeks, Thailand's reputation could be shredded if these charges proceed.''
Phuketwan's relationship with the Royal Thai Navy has returned to normal and is now quite cordial, Khun Chutima said.
''It was the Navy who pointed out the 'hate' site on Facebook,'' she said. The site, full of factual errors, was quickly pulled down.
The two journalists each face seven years' jail under criminal defamation and Computer Crimes Act charges due to be heard on July 14-16 on Phuket.
However, the words at the centre of the case were written by Reuters journalists who have not been charged and instead won a Pulitzer Prize. The paragraph does not actually mention the Royal Thai Navy.
Letters have been delivered to the Prime Minister and the Commander in Chief of the Navy suggesting that withdrawing the charges would be in the best interests of Thailand.
''We remain prepared to discuss these matters with our social media critics on Phuket or anyone at any time,'' Morison said.
''It's an interesting conflict, isn't it?'' she said. ''I have been a long-time reporter on the issue and I am also doing a PhD on the Rohingya, so my views are considered worthwhile by some.
''Yet I am still being sued by a couple of misguided officers in the Navy over other reporters' words.''
Khun Chutima and her colleague, Australian journalist Alan Morison, have also recently had to deal with hate campaigners on Phuket who used social media and Facebook to try to discredit Phuketwan.
''Apparently it's a serious problem to tell the truth on Phuket, or to suggest that some things need to change,'' Morison said. ''I have also been attacked for 'not understanding Thai culture.'
''If this means not appreciating corruption and cover-ups, then I am definitely guilty.''
Morison said he understood that George Washington's ''I cannot tell a lie'' cherry tree chopping comment was part of American culture in that it encouraged people to tell the truth.
''I am now wondering whether there is a parable in Thai culture that urges people to lie and to apologise to save face,'' Morison said. ''But I believe Buddhist culture is all about telling the truth and being honest, too.''
Khun Chutima said the disclosures during May of graves in the Thailand-Malaysia border jungle camps and of thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshis trapped on traffickers' boats had been a confirmation that ''everything Phuketwan has been writing about for years is true.''
''We were thoroughly delighted to see the talking begin at last in Bangkok on Friday, and we sincerely hope it's the beginning of change for the Rohingya, and for Asean.''
The Royal Thai Navy charges against the journalists were clearly mistaken and remain a barrier to future good relations between the military and the media in Thailand, Morison said.
''Given what's happened in the past few weeks, Thailand's reputation could be shredded if these charges proceed.''
Phuketwan's relationship with the Royal Thai Navy has returned to normal and is now quite cordial, Khun Chutima said.
''It was the Navy who pointed out the 'hate' site on Facebook,'' she said. The site, full of factual errors, was quickly pulled down.
The two journalists each face seven years' jail under criminal defamation and Computer Crimes Act charges due to be heard on July 14-16 on Phuket.
However, the words at the centre of the case were written by Reuters journalists who have not been charged and instead won a Pulitzer Prize. The paragraph does not actually mention the Royal Thai Navy.
Letters have been delivered to the Prime Minister and the Commander in Chief of the Navy suggesting that withdrawing the charges would be in the best interests of Thailand.
''We remain prepared to discuss these matters with our social media critics on Phuket or anyone at any time,'' Morison said.
Dear Editor and Khun Chutima
Fact is indeed much stranger than fiction!
Posted by Ian Yarwood on May 31, 2015 21:07