Supinya Klangnarong
Encyclopedia
Supinya Klangnarong is a Thai
media rights advocate and current vice-chair of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR). A graduate of Chulalongkorn University
, she holds a BA
from the Faculty of Communication Arts, a MA
from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Thammasat University
and a MA in Communication Policy and Regulations from the University of Westminster
.
She previously served as secretary-general of the CPMR from 2003-2008 and was co-founder and coordinator of Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) from 2006-2009. Supinya now serving as a coordinator for Thai Netizen Network (TNN), an Internet rights group.
Supinya has been selected to serve in September 2011 as a media expert to Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The Commission oversees all public and private media outlets.
In the path of struggle against the elected Prime Minister of Thailand, Supinya joined the People's Alliance for Democracy
(PAD), anti-Thaksin movement in 2006, and accordingly, was allegedly a part of the pro-coup activists in Thailand. When PAD revived in 2008, Supinya refused to join them, she has also been criticised by the member of PAD.
On July 16, 2003, the Thai Post
, a Thai-language
daily newspaper, published comments from Supinya who said that Shin Corporation
, then majority-owned by the family of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
, had benefited from favorable policies by the Thaksin government.
The Shin Corporation filed a criminal libel lawsuit over the article, naming Supinya and the paper as co-defendants. In addition, Shin filed a civil suit seeking 400 million baht in compensation.
After the Thaksin family sold its shares
in Shin Corporation to Singapore
's Temasek Holdings
, the company offered to drop the lawsuit on the condition that Supinya apologize for her comments. Supinya refused the offer.
On March 14, 2006, the Criminal Court threw out the criminal lawsuit, saying the article in the Thai Post was presented in good faith and in the public's best interest. On May 8, 2006, Shin Corporation asked that the civil lawsuit be withdrawn. Neither Supinya nor Thai Post had any objections, and the civil suit was dropped.
The cases were the subject of the 2007 independent
documentary film, The Truth Be Told: The Cases Against Supinya Klangnarong, filmed over the course of nearly three years and directed by Pimpaka Towira
.
During military rule following a bloodless coup d’etat on September 19, 2006, Supinya was arrested for storming Thailand’s Parliament house along with 50 others, including former senator Jon Ungpakorn
. The military-appointed National Legislative Assembly was in the process of passing numerous repressive, unConstitutional and antidemocratic laws, including the Computer Crimes Act, the Printing Act, the Film Act and the Internal Security Act, all 2007. This case has still not gone to trial.
Thai people
The Thai people, or Siamese, are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia as well as southern China. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Kradai family of...
media rights advocate and current vice-chair of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR). A graduate of Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
, she holds a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from the Faculty of Communication Arts, a MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
and a MA in Communication Policy and Regulations from the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
.
She previously served as secretary-general of the CPMR from 2003-2008 and was co-founder and coordinator of Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) from 2006-2009. Supinya now serving as a coordinator for Thai Netizen Network (TNN), an Internet rights group.
Supinya has been selected to serve in September 2011 as a media expert to Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The Commission oversees all public and private media outlets.
In the path of struggle against the elected Prime Minister of Thailand, Supinya joined 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...
(PAD), anti-Thaksin movement in 2006, and accordingly, was allegedly a part of the pro-coup activists in Thailand. When PAD revived in 2008, Supinya refused to join them, she has also been criticised by the member of PAD.
On July 16, 2003, the Thai Post
Thai Post
Thai Post is a daily Thai-language newspaper in Thailand. It is owned by the Thai Journal Group Co. Its circulation is in the 100,000-150,000 range...
, a Thai-language
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
daily newspaper, published comments from Supinya who said that Shin Corporation
Shin Corporation
Shin Corporation is one of the largest conglomerates in Thailand.- History :It was founded in 1983 as Shinawatra Computer by Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, and took on its current name in 1999, by using the first four letters of his last name...
, then majority-owned by the family of Thai Prime Minister 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....
, had benefited from favorable policies by the Thaksin government.
The Shin Corporation filed a criminal libel lawsuit over the article, naming Supinya and the paper as co-defendants. In addition, Shin filed a civil suit seeking 400 million baht in compensation.
After the Thaksin family sold its shares
Thaksin Shinawatra $1.88 billion deal controversy
The 2006 sale of the Shinawatra family's share of Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings caused great controversy in Thailand. The sale was in response to long-standing criticisms that the Shinawatra family's holdings created a conflict of interest for Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra...
in Shin Corporation to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
's Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings is an investment company owned by the government of Singapore. With an international staff of 380 people, it manages a portfolio of about S$193 billion at end of March 2011, focused primarily in Asia...
, the company offered to drop the lawsuit on the condition that Supinya apologize for her comments. Supinya refused the offer.
On March 14, 2006, the Criminal Court threw out the criminal lawsuit, saying the article in the Thai Post was presented in good faith and in the public's best interest. On May 8, 2006, Shin Corporation asked that the civil lawsuit be withdrawn. Neither Supinya nor Thai Post had any objections, and the civil suit was dropped.
The cases were the subject of the 2007 independent
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
documentary film, The Truth Be Told: The Cases Against Supinya Klangnarong, filmed over the course of nearly three years and directed by Pimpaka Towira
Pimpaka Towira
Pimpaka Towira is a Thai independent film director, screenwriter and film producer. Her films include One Night Husband and The Truth Be Told: The Cases Against Supinya Klangnarong.-Career:...
.
During military rule following a bloodless coup d’etat on September 19, 2006, Supinya was arrested for storming Thailand’s Parliament house along with 50 others, including former senator Jon Ungpakorn
Jon Ungpakorn
Jon Ungpakorn is a London-born Thai non-governmental organization executive and member of the Senate of Thailand. He is an older brother of Peter Ungpakorn and Ji Ungpakorn, and is of Chinese-Thai and British parentage...
. The military-appointed National Legislative Assembly was in the process of passing numerous repressive, unConstitutional and antidemocratic laws, including the Computer Crimes Act, the Printing Act, the Film Act and the Internal Security Act, all 2007. This case has still not gone to trial.
See also
- Supinya Klangnarong's blog
- Supinya Klangnarong's twitter page
- Media in Thailand