Muangthai Raisabdah
Encyclopedia
Muangthai Raisabdah is a Thai
political talkshow hosted by Sondhi Limthongkul
and Sarocha Pornudomsak
. The show is Sondhi's personal mouthpiece, and up to 2004 it praised Premier Thaksin Shinawatra
. Later, when relations between the two soured, it became one of the Premier's most vocal critics. In September 2005, the show was cancelled by its broadcaster, MCOT
, after Sondhi allegedly made on-air comments disrespectful to King Bhumibol Adulyadej
. Sondhi started independently broadcasting his show via satellite and internet, turning tapings into rallies against the government. In February 2006, Sondhi co-founded the People's Alliance for Democracy
and the show was incorporated into the PAD's anti-Thaksin rallies.
Channel 9, a leading Thai broadcaster, and produced by M Group, Sondhi Limthongkul's
media company. The news analysis talkshow's hosts were Sondhi Limthongkul
and Sarocha Pornudomsak
, and the original editorial stance was strongly pro-Thaksin Shinawatra
and pro-Thai Rak Thai
. In 2002, Democrat Party
Alongkorn Pollabutr accused the government of granting favors to M Group shows. On a 23 September 2003 broadcast, Sondhi noted that Thaksin was "the best prime minister our country has ever had."
Muangthai Raisabdah political stance changed in early 2004, after the governor of the Bank of Thailand fired Viroj Nualkhair, CEO of state-owned Krung Thai Bank
. Viroj Nualkhair was Sondhi Limthongkul's
banker, and had forgiven Sondhi of billions of Baht in debt. Sondhi's public criticism of the Thaksin government increased throughout 2004.
In September 2005, Sondhi reportedly made repeated disrespectful on-air references to King Bhumibol Adulyadej
. Among these references was a claim that the government's 2004 appointment of Somdet Phra Buddhacharya as acting Supreme Patriarch
in place of the critically ill Somdet Phra Yanasangworn
contravened the prerogative of the King. According to Thai ecclesiastic law, the Supreme Patriarch is nominated by the Supreme Sangha Council and formally appointed by the King. Somdet Phra Phuthacharn's appointment was vehemently opposed by Luang Ta Maha Bua, an influential monk with close affiliations to Sondhi (see Luang Ta Maha Bua's opposition to Thaksin Shinawatra). After discussions with King's principal private secretary, Arsa Sarasin, MCOT
executives cancelled the program.
and held at Lumphini Park
, was particularly popular, with Manager newspaper reporting that 100,000 people in attendance. This episode formally introducted the slogan "Return power to the King." At the conclusion of the show, Sondhi announced that he would be moving the venue of the protests cum television shows to the royal cremation grounds at Sanam Luang
.
By February, Sondhi's campaign was wildly successful, with visits to the news website of the M Group tripling compared to the beginning of the campaign. The 4 February 2006 episode, broadcasted in front of the King Rama V equestrian statue in front of the former Parliament, consisted of a seminar attended by former M Group employees like Anchalee Paireerak, Yuthiyong Limlertwatee, Pantep Puapongpant, Kumnoon Sidhisaman and Sumran Rodpetch. Former leader of the Phalang Dharma Party Chamlong Srimuang
and Senator Jermsak Pinthong were also in attendance. That evening, protestors sent petitioned Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda
and King Bhunmibol Adulyadej demanding the resignation of Thaksin Shinawatra. Although organizers expected some 100,000 people, only approximately 40,000 appeared.
On 24 February 2006, Thaksin dissolved Parliament, after only a year after being elected back into power, and announced House elections for 2 April. The opposition Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties announced a boycott of the election on 27 February. For details on the election, see Thailand legislative election, April 2006
.
in February 2006, Muangthai Raisabdah was incorporated into the PAD's political rallies. For a full list of PAD rallies, see PAD protests against Thaksin Shinawatra.
on 19 September 2006. The military junta that seized power ordered state-television broadcaster MCOT to cover weekly tapings of Muangthai Raisabdah.
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
political talkshow hosted by Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
and Sarocha Pornudomsak
Sarocha Pornudomsak
Sarocha Pornudomsak , born 11 November 1976 in Bangkok, is a Thai journalist for Manager Media Group.She is best known as co-host of the show Muangthai Raisabdah with Sondhi Limthongkul from 2003-2006...
. The show is Sondhi's personal mouthpiece, and up to 2004 it praised Premier Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
. Later, when relations between the two soured, it became one of the Premier's most vocal critics. In September 2005, the show was cancelled by its broadcaster, MCOT
MCOT
MCOT Public Company Limited )) is a Thai media conglomerate. Its origins date back to the creation in 1955 of Thailand's first television broadcaster, The Thai Television Company Limited. In 1977, this company was reconstituted as a state enterprise, the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand...
, after Sondhi allegedly made on-air comments disrespectful to King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
. Sondhi started independently broadcasting his show via satellite and internet, turning tapings into rallies against the government. In February 2006, Sondhi co-founded the People's Alliance for Democracy
People's Alliance for Democracy
The People's Alliance for Democracy also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Thai Patriots Network or the Yellow Shirts - เสื้อเหลือง - was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include...
and the show was incorporated into the PAD's anti-Thaksin rallies.
Muangthai Raisabdah on MCOT
Muangthai Raisabdah was originally broadcast on MCOTMCOT
MCOT Public Company Limited )) is a Thai media conglomerate. Its origins date back to the creation in 1955 of Thailand's first television broadcaster, The Thai Television Company Limited. In 1977, this company was reconstituted as a state enterprise, the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand...
Channel 9, a leading Thai broadcaster, and produced by M Group, Sondhi Limthongkul's
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
media company. The news analysis talkshow's hosts were Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
and Sarocha Pornudomsak
Sarocha Pornudomsak
Sarocha Pornudomsak , born 11 November 1976 in Bangkok, is a Thai journalist for Manager Media Group.She is best known as co-host of the show Muangthai Raisabdah with Sondhi Limthongkul from 2003-2006...
, and the original editorial stance was strongly pro-Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
and pro-Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
. In 2002, Democrat Party
Democrat Party (Thailand)
The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
Alongkorn Pollabutr accused the government of granting favors to M Group shows. On a 23 September 2003 broadcast, Sondhi noted that Thaksin was "the best prime minister our country has ever had."
Muangthai Raisabdah political stance changed in early 2004, after the governor of the Bank of Thailand fired Viroj Nualkhair, CEO of state-owned Krung Thai Bank
Krung Thai Bank
Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited is the state-owned bank under the license issued by the Ministry of Finance.- History :The bank was incorporated on March 14, 1966 through the merger of Agriculture Bank Limited and Mondhon Bank Limited, which the government was their major shareholder...
. Viroj Nualkhair was Sondhi Limthongkul's
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
banker, and had forgiven Sondhi of billions of Baht in debt. Sondhi's public criticism of the Thaksin government increased throughout 2004.
In September 2005, Sondhi reportedly made repeated disrespectful on-air references to King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
. Among these references was a claim that the government's 2004 appointment of Somdet Phra Buddhacharya as acting Supreme Patriarch
Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
The Supreme Patriarch or Sangharaja is the head of the order of Buddhist monks in Thailand. The position is formally appointed by the King of Thailand, although the actual selection is made by senior clergymen...
in place of the critically ill Somdet Phra Yanasangworn
Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana
Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara is the 19th and incumbent Supreme Patriarch of Thailand...
contravened the prerogative of the King. According to Thai ecclesiastic law, the Supreme Patriarch is nominated by the Supreme Sangha Council and formally appointed by the King. Somdet Phra Phuthacharn's appointment was vehemently opposed by Luang Ta Maha Bua, an influential monk with close affiliations to Sondhi (see Luang Ta Maha Bua's opposition to Thaksin Shinawatra). After discussions with King's principal private secretary, Arsa Sarasin, MCOT
MCOT
MCOT Public Company Limited )) is a Thai media conglomerate. Its origins date back to the creation in 1955 of Thailand's first television broadcaster, The Thai Television Company Limited. In 1977, this company was reconstituted as a state enterprise, the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand...
executives cancelled the program.
Accusations
During this period, Sondhi made several controversial comments on Muangthai Raisabdah, including the claim that a team of assassins was following him around, the claim that the Thai Rak Thai party was affiliated to the Chinese Communist Party, the claim that there was corruption in the Thai Air Force's purchase of Russian-made SU-30 MK jet fighters, and the claim (repeated from a 1997 government censor debate) that Thaksin profited from insider information during the 1997 devaluation of the Baht.Popularity
The 9th episode on 19 November 2005, dealing with the royal prerogatives of the KingBhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
and held at Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is a 360-rai park in Bangkok, Thailand. This park offers rare open public space, trees and playgrounds in the Thai capital and contains an artificial lake where visitors can rent a variety of boats. Paths around the park totalling approximately 2.5 km in length are a popular...
, was particularly popular, with Manager newspaper reporting that 100,000 people in attendance. This episode formally introducted the slogan "Return power to the King." At the conclusion of the show, Sondhi announced that he would be moving the venue of the protests cum television shows to the royal cremation grounds at Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang is an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is located in the Phra Nakhon district, the historic center of Bangkok....
.
By February, Sondhi's campaign was wildly successful, with visits to the news website of the M Group tripling compared to the beginning of the campaign. The 4 February 2006 episode, broadcasted in front of the King Rama V equestrian statue in front of the former Parliament, consisted of a seminar attended by former M Group employees like Anchalee Paireerak, Yuthiyong Limlertwatee, Pantep Puapongpant, Kumnoon Sidhisaman and Sumran Rodpetch. Former leader of the Phalang Dharma Party Chamlong Srimuang
Chamlong Srimuang
Major General Chamlong Srimuang is a controversial Thai activist and former politician. A former general, he was a leader of the "Young Turks" military clique, founded and led the Phalang Dharma party, served for six years as governor of Bangkok, led the anti-military uprising of May 1992, and...
and Senator Jermsak Pinthong were also in attendance. That evening, protestors sent petitioned Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda
Prem Tinsulanonda
General Prem Tinsulanonda is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988. He now serves as the Head of the Privy Council of the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej....
and King Bhunmibol Adulyadej demanding the resignation of Thaksin Shinawatra. Although organizers expected some 100,000 people, only approximately 40,000 appeared.
On 24 February 2006, Thaksin dissolved Parliament, after only a year after being elected back into power, and announced House elections for 2 April. The opposition Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties announced a boycott of the election on 27 February. For details on the election, see Thailand legislative election, April 2006
Thailand legislative election, April 2006
-Opposition boycott:On 25 February the Post reported Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying he was "ready to become a prime minister who adheres to the principles of good governance and ethics, not authoritarianism." The next day, however, it was announced that the Democratic Party,...
.
Muangthai Raisabdah Political Concert
Following Sondhi Limthongkul's establishment of the People's Alliance for DemocracyPeople's Alliance for Democracy
The People's Alliance for Democracy also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Thai Patriots Network or the Yellow Shirts - เสื้อเหลือง - was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include...
in February 2006, Muangthai Raisabdah was incorporated into the PAD's political rallies. For a full list of PAD rallies, see PAD protests against Thaksin Shinawatra.
After the coup
A military coup overthrew the government of Thaksin ShinawatraThaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
on 19 September 2006. The military junta that seized power ordered state-television broadcaster MCOT to cover weekly tapings of Muangthai Raisabdah.
See also
- Thailand political crisis 2005-2006Thailand political crisis 2005-2006In 2005 and 2006, a series of events occurred in Thailand as a result of an unrest with Thaksin Shinawatra that was supported by Sondhi Limthongkul and his coalitions...
- Sondhi LimthongkulSondhi LimthongkulSondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
- Thaksin ShinawatraThaksin ShinawatraThaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
- People's Alliance for DemocracyPeople's Alliance for DemocracyThe People's Alliance for Democracy also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Thai Patriots Network or the Yellow Shirts - เสื้อเหลือง - was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include...
- PAD protests against Thaksin Shinawatra