Int'l journalists briefed on updated situation in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 29 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the military have briefed international journalists of the updated domestic situation, the first time after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has taken over the national administrative power since May 22. Sek Wannamethee, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Information, and Lieutenant General Chatchalerm Chalermsuk, Deputy Chief-of-Staff of the Royal Thai Army, held the briefing on Thursday, during which they told the international journalists that the NCPO has taken over the national administration to restore national peace and order, paving the way for the next general election within the democratic framework. Sek, who is also the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, explained reasons for some limitation to the liberty and freedom of civilians and the mass media, including the necessity to ensure order in the country and the creation of reconciliatory atmosphere, which will lead to national reform and the next general election. Sek, however, denied that the government planned to block such popular social media as Facebook or the LINE chat application. In response to the foreign correspondents' concerns over their news coverage in Thailand, the spokesman assured that their news coverage could continue as usual, but urging them to accurately and straightforwardly present their news reports. The spokesman also said it is unlikely for the United States to involve Thailand's present political situation in its Trafficking in Persons (Trip) report next month and in its consideration of human trafficking watch list, as the list was based on information collected last year. (TNA)