[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THAILAND'S FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Freedom to say what you believe is a 
universal human right but certain rulers do not seem to get that.
  On March 25th, Prayuth Chan-ocha, the junta leader and acting Prime 
Minister of Thailand warned journalists, ``You don't have to support 
the government . . . but you should report the truth . . . or we'll 
probably just execute [you].''
  Prayuth and his fellow generals took over the elected government in a 
coup last May. The country has been under martial law ever since then. 
Prayuth can ban any political gathering and the military can arrest and 
detain whoever whenever they want--including journalists.
  This latest threat should be taken seriously.
  Freedom of speech is our first amendment for a reason. It's the 
building block of all other rights and to promote change for the good 
of the people.
  The rulers in Thailand should immediately make clear that freedom of 
speech, including freedom of the press, is a right that all the people 
of Thailand can and should exercise.
  And that's just the way it is.

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