The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made clarifications on its announcement dated February 18 regarding revision of guidelines for issuing non-immigration visa Category M (Media Visa) for foreign journalists and correspondents applying to work in Thailand.
The Foreign Ministry stated that the purpose of the revision is to introduce a clear categorization of personnel eligible to apply for media visa in view of the changing nature of media over the years and an increase of new media and online media apply for media visa.
The former guidelines lack a clear scope as to who would constitute a foreign journalist which led to a misuse of media car holders working on unrelated fields, said the ministry.
The ministry defended that the revision of guidelines was not intended to restrict, forbid or limit the work of foreign media as well as foreigners who work in Thailand. It assured that foreign journalists and freelancers employed by news agency legally registered here will not be affected.
For those who are ineligible for media visa, the ministry said that they could apply for another appropriate visa.
The Foreign Ministry said that the revision of guidelines was based on an extensive research of media visa requirements from various nations and on discussions with related foreign correspondents, as well as a meeting with some executive members of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand to discuss the elements of the revised guidelines.
As for foreign photographers, the ministry would advise them to apply for another category of visa such as non-immigration type “B” (for business and work).
As for freelance photographers working for news agency, the ministry will receive their applications and informed related Thai agencies to issue them media card. Photographers working under news agency registered with Thai or foreign governments as stated in the guidelines will not be affected however, said the ministry.
Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151775
Thailand’s revised guidelines for media visas ‘deeply discouraging’ – FCCT
FOREIGN correspondents in Thailand are concerned over the revised media guidelines announced by the Thai government recently, believing such measures could impede press freedom.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released new guidelines for issuing media visas for journalists and media correspondents applying to work in Thailand, which would be effective from March 21.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT), its members found the stricter criteria for approval of media visas imposed by MOFA to be “deeply discouraging”, as it has resulted in many seasoned journalists having their visa applications rejected.
The FCCT acknowledged that it was MOFA’s prerogative to determine who was eligible for a media visa and appreciated that MOFA officials had accepted some of the FCCT board’s suggestions on the proposed guidelines, which included a grace period for media practitioners who were now ineligible to reapply for a media visa under the amended guidelines.
However, it also urged Thai authorities to “interpret the guidelines in a way that enable[d] all bona fide journalists to be properly accredited and report freely and fairly”.
Source: https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/02/ ... ging-fcct/
Thought: "We dont want those pesky foreigners photographing or reporting on Thai affairs or publishing the truth."
Govt clampdown on foreign correspondents and media visas
Govt clampdown on foreign correspondents and media visas
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Govt clampdown on foreign correspondents and media visas
I think it's because journalists keep annoying the junta by asking him questions at his press conferences!
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margaretcarnes
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Re: Govt clampdown on foreign correspondents and media visas
Anything to do with Jonothan Head I wonder?
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
Re: Govt clampdown on foreign correspondents and media visas
I think it is closer to what Steve said - no military junta will tolerate any form of criticism, especially from aliens.
No visa leniency for foreign journalists
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has stressed that it is time to stop being lenient on foreign journalists' visas, to end misleading reporting.
There were international standards on visa controls for foreign journalists and the proper scope of their work, but Thai authorities had not enforced them strictly and had been lenient on foreign reporters, the minister said at Government House on Tuesday morning.
Officials had now been ordered to follow the regulations, and the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand had been kept informed of the changes, Mr Don said.
"Many are not legally reporters," he said, and their misleading reports gave rise to misleading headlines.
"We have issued warnings, because they have caused misunderstanding and had an impact on the national interest," the foreign minister said.
He denied that strict enforcement of conditions for issuing m-visas was a restriction on media rights, claiming that reporters in Thailand actually enjoyed the most freedom in Asia.
There were about 500 foreign reporters in Thailand and only 10% of them were problematic, Mr Don said. If they were able to clearly show who they worked for, the Foreign Ministry would be ready to consider their visa applications.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ournalists
No visa leniency for foreign journalists
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has stressed that it is time to stop being lenient on foreign journalists' visas, to end misleading reporting.
There were international standards on visa controls for foreign journalists and the proper scope of their work, but Thai authorities had not enforced them strictly and had been lenient on foreign reporters, the minister said at Government House on Tuesday morning.
Officials had now been ordered to follow the regulations, and the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand had been kept informed of the changes, Mr Don said.
"Many are not legally reporters," he said, and their misleading reports gave rise to misleading headlines.
"We have issued warnings, because they have caused misunderstanding and had an impact on the national interest," the foreign minister said.
He denied that strict enforcement of conditions for issuing m-visas was a restriction on media rights, claiming that reporters in Thailand actually enjoyed the most freedom in Asia.
There were about 500 foreign reporters in Thailand and only 10% of them were problematic, Mr Don said. If they were able to clearly show who they worked for, the Foreign Ministry would be ready to consider their visa applications.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ournalists
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Govt clampdown on foreign correspondents and media visas
Concern over new rule on foreign journos
In order to be granted a journalist visa to work in Thailand, foreign media representatives now need to show their attitude toward the monarchy and political development in the Kingdom, according to a foreign correspondent.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai this week defended his new policy and the recently issued regulation to screen foreign media representatives for journalist-visa applications, saying that the move would prevent negative reporting about Thailand.
The authorities are upset over reports from foreign media about political developments in Thailand, and particularly about the role of the monarchy, he said.
Commenting on the new rule, the BBC's Southeast Asia Correspondent, Jonathan Head, said foreign journalists who applied for a visa to work in Thailand would be asked about their political attitude - and notably, their thoughts about the Thai monarchy.
These "inappropriate" questions and "tougher" practices have been applied as part of validating applicants' qualification for a media visa (M visa), he said.
Moreover, some journalists who were working in the country for decades have been rejected when seeking to renew their M visa, and have been asked to apply instead for a business visa (B visa), Head said, adding that the grace period was too short for them to apply for an alternative visa.
According to the guidelines issued on February 18 and which will be effective from March 21, those journalists whose M visas are due to expire before the effective date, are given a four-month grace period, while there is a three-month grace period for those whose M visas expire from March 21 onwards.
It is impossible for rejected journalists to apply for an alternative visa within the specific grace period the authorities have laid down, he stressed.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 80116.html
Thought: North Korea.
In order to be granted a journalist visa to work in Thailand, foreign media representatives now need to show their attitude toward the monarchy and political development in the Kingdom, according to a foreign correspondent.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai this week defended his new policy and the recently issued regulation to screen foreign media representatives for journalist-visa applications, saying that the move would prevent negative reporting about Thailand.
The authorities are upset over reports from foreign media about political developments in Thailand, and particularly about the role of the monarchy, he said.
Commenting on the new rule, the BBC's Southeast Asia Correspondent, Jonathan Head, said foreign journalists who applied for a visa to work in Thailand would be asked about their political attitude - and notably, their thoughts about the Thai monarchy.
These "inappropriate" questions and "tougher" practices have been applied as part of validating applicants' qualification for a media visa (M visa), he said.
Moreover, some journalists who were working in the country for decades have been rejected when seeking to renew their M visa, and have been asked to apply instead for a business visa (B visa), Head said, adding that the grace period was too short for them to apply for an alternative visa.
According to the guidelines issued on February 18 and which will be effective from March 21, those journalists whose M visas are due to expire before the effective date, are given a four-month grace period, while there is a three-month grace period for those whose M visas expire from March 21 onwards.
It is impossible for rejected journalists to apply for an alternative visa within the specific grace period the authorities have laid down, he stressed.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 80116.html
Thought: North Korea.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Govt clampdown on foreign correspondents and media visas
It makes you wonder what they're so scared of these journalists reporting, I can't imagine that you would bother to restrict journalism if you've got nothing to hide.