World Press Freedom Day observed in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 3 (TNA) - As previous years, Thailand observes the World Press Freedom Day, which falls on every May 3, with the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) requesting Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha to revoke laws considered restricting freedom of the media. Taking the opportunity on the World Press Freedom Day, TJA President Wanchai Wongmeechai raised the request while meeting with Prime Minister General Prayut, who is also Chief of the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), at Bangkok's Government House on Tuesday. Wanchai submitted a letter requesting NCPO, which has taken power since May 22, 2014 to particularly lift its order No. 97/2558 and 103/2558. Meanwhile, TJA, in cooperation with the Thai Broadcasting Journalists Association, organised several activities on the World Press Freedom Day, including standing in silence for the honour and ovation towards 82 journalists worldwide who died while performing their duties in 2015 and during the first four months of this year. Their members later read a joint statement claiming that the rights and freedom of the Thai media have been limited, following the military intervention two years ago. (TNA)