Police raid and shut down the Mangkorn Thurakit Co.
(96 mhz) radio station on Soi Day-Night.
Teerarak Suthathiwong
Military and National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission officials
raided three Pattaya community radio stations, shutting them down for disobeying
orders from the junta-led government.
NBTC Region 5 Director Jetsada Sukniyom and Lt. Khunong Phetthaisong of the 8th
King’s Guard Battalion at the Sattahip Naval Base led the June 18 action against
stations in Central and South Pattaya.
Shut down was Chang Siam (105 mhz) on Sukhumvit Road opposite Soi Praphanimit.
Operator Nanicha Sarnthong, 41, was arrested.
Also closed was Mangkorn Thurakit Co. (96 mhz) on Soi Day-Night and operator
Thonapong Bayornmartenkolof, 23, was taken into custody.
And finally officials raided Thipmanee Cable TV (89.5 mhz) on Soi Chaiyapruek,
arresting Russian operator Sergey Petrushev, 44.
Jetsada said all three stations previously had been ordered to go off the air
after the military coup May 22. However, all three had remained live.
Officials seized frequency meters and broadcasting equipment and said the
stations would not be allowed back on the air until they were granted new
licenses by the NBTC.
