(SEAPA/IFEX) - Three Thai broadcast journalists were assaulted in separate
incidents by opposition demonstrators dubbed the "Red Shirts" during a
massive protest rally in Bangkok on 9 April 2009 meant as a final bid to
pressure the government of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the
King's close aides to resign.

According to the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), the demonstrators
accused the broadcast journalists of unfair reporting. The reporters denied
this charge.

In the first incident, at around 11:00 a.m. (local time), Channel 3
reporter Varunee Suesatsakulchai was heckled and pelted with plastic water
bottles by angry protesters as she was reporting live near the residence of
Privy Counsellor General Prem Tinsulanonda. Security guards at the
demonstration escorted her to the Channel 3 van parked nearby. The van was
later surrounded by demonstrators for 40 minutes before policemen dispersed
them. The protesters also punctured the tires of two of Channel 3's
vehicles.

Demonstrators also attacked Channel 7 reporter Somphote Thoraksa and his
crew, who were also in the vicinity, accusing them of erroneous reporting.
Somphote, who denied the accusation, was forced to leave the area along
with his crew.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged female protester screamed at Nation News Agency
reporter Sathien Viriyapongsa because he allegedly made a false report
about the rally. He had to leave the area when he saw a larger crowd of
protesters approaching him.

Leaders of the demonstrators denied responsibility for the attacks and
instead blamed saboteurs.

TJA Vice President Wanchai Wongmeechai and Thai Broadcast Journalists
Association (TBJA) President Korkhet Chantalertlak expressed concern over
the attacks. "The incidents create a climate of fear and anxiety among
journalists who are covering the demonstration," Korkhet said.

Korkhet appealed to the demonstration leaders to respect the journalists'
work.

Wanchai also urged the leaders of the demonstration and the police to
provide concrete safety protection measures for journalists covering the
rally. At the same time, he urged the reporters covering the rally to
report without bias and to exercise caution.

In anticipation of the demonstration-related violence, TJA earlier
distributed journalists' safety booklets to members of the media covering
the event and provided them with water bottles and clothes in case police
used tear gas to disperse the mob.