Mizzima News

New Delhi – In fear of objections by the censorship, Weekly journals in Rangoon has deliberately turned a blind-eye to the political turmoil in neighboring Thailand.

While months of political tensions in Thailand has turn out into days of violent demonstrations in Bangkok, the Burmese media in fear of inviting the wrath of the censor board, has remained silent despite their yearning to run stories on the unfolding events in neighboring country.

"Under the current circumstances, we cannot cover on the situations in Thailand in our journal because most such news is being censored. We are also worried about being misunderstood by the censor board," an editor of a news journal said on condition of anonymity.

However, a few journals including the 'Rangoon Times' have reportedly carried stories on the ongoing protests in Bangkok after being severely self-censored in order to avoid censor board's wrath.

On the back page of this week's issue 'Myanmar Times' Vol. 19, No. 378, the journal reported the situation in Thailand with the headline, 'State of emergency declared in Bangkok', quoting AFP. A photograph of Prime Minister of Thailand Samak Sundaravej appeared on page three.

"We found the news only in 'Myanmar Times'. Sometimes it happens so. Some news supposed to be censored appears in some media. We don't know who it depends on," an editor of a weekly journal said.

A veteran magazine editor, who wished not to be named, speculated that the reporting of Thai protests is being tightly controlled in apprehension, lest it inspire similar protests in Burma.

"I think the government is worried about another popular uprising occurring in Burma. The protests in Thailand demanding the ouster of the PM is likely to spark the imagination of the people here," he added.

Burma's state-run media - radio, TV and newspapers - like the rest of the privately run journals, has totally ignored the incidents in Thailand.

In Thailand, opposition People's Alliance for Democracy has led days of mass protests demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and used his office compound as a protest venue since August 26.

Clashes between anti-government groups and government supporters had left a person to die on September 2. And following the death, Samak declared a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, chancellors of universities in Bangkok had joined the protestors by demanding the dissolution of the lower house and protestors have warned that it will cut electricity while airlines staff have threatened to disrupt services to mount pressure on the Thai government.

But with the anniversary of the September 2007 protests coming up, security has been beefed up in various towns and cities across the country including Rangoon, Pakokku, Mandalay and Sittwe, places where anti-junta protests have started last year.

Sources said, authorities kept tight vigilance over key monasteries in these towns.