POLITICS
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday threw his support behind the revival of the satellite-based PTV channel, saying it will counter the anti-government protests led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Mr Samak said in his weekly address yesterday that the messages broadcast on PTV would tell another side of the stories the PAD have been telling. It would provide a chance for viewers to stand against the PAD.
He dismissed concerns raised by the Democrat party that the revival of PTV would deepen political divisions and would lead to the same situation prior to the 2006 coup. Mr Samak accused the opposition of being biased.
The presentation of facts by different parties to counter each other was normal, he said.
''The PAD's verbal attacks will no longer go unchallenged. If the public are given enough information, they will see what is happening,'' he said.
''But no matter what the PAD has done, the Democrat party has never criticised them.
''Yet when PTV attempts to counter the PAD, the Democrats claim this will lead the nation to bloodshed. What does it mean?''
The Democrats questioned the revival of PTV, saying it was only there to serve one person, spokesman Ong-art Klampaibul said.
PTV was highly supportive of Thaksin Shinawatra after he was deposed in the coup two years ago and the station strongly criticised the military powers.
PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang said those opposing his group had the right to revive PTV, but he shrugged off its impact on the PAD rally.
In a press conference to relaunch PTV yesterday, former president Veera Musikapong, former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair, People Power party MP Jatuporn Phromphan and deputy government spokesman Nathawut Saikua said they could not tolerate the PAD movement.
Mr Veera said PTV will buy five hours of daily airtime from the MV5 channel of the Thaicom satellite and he and the associates will run programmes from today.
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