THAILAND’S military government has launched a special television program that caters to foreign viewers seeking the junta’s views on national politics, but the public relations exercise to restore its human rights image appears to be off to a slow start.

The English-language program, which airs on state-owned television station National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) and on YouTube, seeks to clarify the military’s moves and decisions via one-on-one interviews with top government leaders, and to provide insight into current developments in the kingdom.

Hosted by Deputy Government Spokesman Major-General Werachon Sukondhapatipak, The Insider began airing on July 31, and is now into its second episode.

On Aug. 7, the Thai voting public approved a junta-backed constitution in a referendum. The constitution lays the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed rather than elected officials.

Although the new television program featured top government officials, the first episode, which stretches slightly over 15 minutes, gained little more than 1,000 views on YouTube.

The ratings are a far cry from “Returning Happiness to the People”, a prime time television show hosted by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, which enjoyed skyrocketing viewership since it was launched two years ago but gradually saw its popularity dwindle up until this year.

Werachon was previously the prime minister’s personal interpreter and the government’s spokesman on international affairs.

According to The Nation, the host was a scholarship holder of the Australian government and studied at the Australian Defence Force Academy, the University of New South Wales. Werachon was also reported to have been involved in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone.

Human rights groups and activists have long condemned the military junta’s strict rules regarding free speech and the country’s violation of international human rights obligations following the coup in 2014.

Kim Ludvigsen skrev:

Jeg gider ikke at sidde og se på propaganda, så udelukkende ud fra billedet i episode 2:
Juntaen mener åbenbart, at arrestation og tilbageholdelse af borgere er administrative tiltag.

Webmaster skrev:

Jamen Ludvigsen dog, det er jo pakket pænt ind som en lille mundgodte som er lige til at sluge i en mundfuld.

Kim Ludvigsen skrev:

Jeg gider ikke at sidde og se på propaganda, så udelukkende ud fra billedet i episode 2:
Juntaen mener åbenbart, at arrestation og tilbageholdelse af borgere er administrative tiltag.

hugoboerge skrev:

Hr. Ludvigsen har du faaet den roede skjorte paa ? Du opfoerer dig ligesom de roede som forkastede den nye forfatning uden at have laest den, ifoelge dem selv.

hugoboerge skrev:
Tag dog og se de to videoer og kom saa med din mening bagefter.

hugoboerge skrev:



Hr. Ludvigsen har du faaet den roede skjorte paa ? Du opfoerer dig ligesom de roede som forkastede den nye forfatning uden at have laest den, ifoelge dem selv.

Tag dog og se de to videoer og kom saa med din mening bagefter.

Skal lige naevne jeg har ikke set nogen af dem.

JohnBKK skrev:

Lidt info til lux expatten ude i Samut Prakahn, yep jeg ved det må være svært at erkende hvor du hører til, men æd den og bliv klogere, OK???

lek skrev:

Hugobørge.... Tænk dig dig når du går ud og køber 1 kg sukker for 21 thb.... Så går de 15 direkte i de gule,s kasser, altså dem vi ik må tale om. Det er bare et eksempel....

lek skrev:

Hugobørge.... hvis du ikke fattede sammenhængen. er det total tåbelig når du udtaler dig om thai forhold.
For Thailand har lige fået gennemtrumfet digtatur i stil med Nord Korea... Af de GULE.....
Tænk dig dig når du går ud og køber 1 kg sukker for 21 thb.... Så går de 15 direkte i de gule,s kasser, altså dem vi ik må tale om. Det er bare et eksempel....

Nej jeg ved sgu ikke alt om thailand, men jeg har huleme lært meget på 30 + år her. Og jeg har læst på historien forud for min tid. For jeg besluttede at leve her, så måtte jeg lære thai og kende lidt til landets historie.