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Thai generals in new media muzzle Thai coup leaders target Thaksin
(about 3 hours later)
The military council that led the coup in Thailand last September has told all local media they can no longer report comments by the lawyer for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, citing reasons of national security. Thailand's post-coup leaders have revoked the diplomatic passport of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra and told local media not to report his comments.
Although the council appointed a civilian government three months ago, it still retains significant powers. A foreign ministry spokesman said the passport had been revoked "because of the changing security situation."
This is its first attempt at media censorship since the immediate aftermath of the coup. The ruling military council gave a similar reason as it told Thai media to stop reporting his lawyer's statements.
The military has tightened security since a series of bomb blasts in the capital, Bangkok, on New Year's Eve. It is the first attempt at media censorship since the immediate aftermath of the September coup.
One of the earliest promises made by the generals when they seized power was that they would quickly lift the censorship of the media imposed in the hours after the coup. The military is eager to shore up its grip on power after a series of bomb blasts rocked the capital, Bangkok, on New Year's Eve.
For the most part they kept that promise, an important one for Thailand, which has long enjoyed a reputation for having one of the freest media environments in Asia. The military-installed government has accused factions loyal to Mr Thaksin of being behind the blasts - a charge which the former premier, through his lawyer Noppadon Patama, has refuted.
Now they appear to have had second thoughts. Travel ban
All local media have been told they cannot report comments made by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer. Since being ousted, Mr Thaksin has been barred from returning to Thailand.
Mr Thaksin has been barred from returning to Thailand, but has continued to state his case against the coup through his lawyer. He has spent his time travelling around the world - which he will still be able to do without a diplomatic passport, as he will carry an ordinary Thai passport.
The Thai media have been holding crisis meetings to decide how they should respond. Since the coup he has been sighted in various locations, including London, Hong Kong, Beijing and Bali.
But throughout this period of exile he has continued to state his case against the coup through his lawyer.
Now it appears that the Thai media has been asked not to report Mr Noppadon's comments.
One of the earliest promises made by the military generals when they took over the country was that they would quickly lift the censorship of the media imposed in the hours after the coup.
For the most part they kept that promise, according to the BBC's correspondent in Bangkok, Jonathan Head.
Since being told they can no longer report comments from Mr Noppadon, the Thai media have been holding crisis meetings to decide how they should respond.
It is not clear what will happen if they defy the military council, nor is it clear why the generals felt they had to impose the ban now.It is not clear what will happen if they defy the military council, nor is it clear why the generals felt they had to impose the ban now.
The country was badly shaken by a series of bomb blasts on New Year's Eve, but there is no evidence yet pointing to who was behind the attacks. Coming at a time when confidence in the interim government has slumped, this measure is bound to cause further alarm, both inside Thailand and abroad, our correspondent says.
Coming at a time when confidence in the interim government has slumped, this measure is bound to cause further alarm, both inside Thailand and abroad, over the direction the country is taking.