Prayut Chan-O-Cha – Privy Councillor of Thailand

“We’ll probably just execute them.”

General Prayuth Chan-ocha made the statement at junta headquarters, targeting journalists to deter critical reporting.

prayut chan-o-cha – 2015

Privy Councillor of Thailand

Notable Actions Undermining Press Freedom under Prayut Chan-O-Cha

Threats of Extreme Punishment Against Journalists 
In 2015, Prayut shockingly declared he would “probably just execute” journalists who did not “report the truth,” signaling an overt threat to media autonomy.

Martial Law and Article 44 Powers to Censor Media 
After the 2014 military coup, Prayut governed under martial law and issued sweeping orders under Article 44 of the interim constitution, enabling censorship, media shutdowns, arbitrary arrests, and sweeping control over public discourse.

Crackdown via Media Regulation Bills 
The military government proposed and backed legislation to regulate all media platforms through a government-controlled body, drawing criticism that it would enable political interference in news reporting.

Internet Censorship and Surveillance Laws 
Prayut’s government pushed amendments to Thailand’s Computer Crime Act, allowing authorities to remove online content deemed harmful or “immoral” without requiring court approval—expanding state powers over cyberspace.

Targeted Investigations of Media Content 
In 2020, amidst pro-democracy protests, Prayut’s administration ordered probes into several news outlets and restricted platforms like Telegram, under emergency measures aimed at quelling dissenting reportage.

Emergency Decrees Restricting News Coverage of Protests 
The government issued an emergency decree that banned publishing or broadcasting news deemed to incite fear or unrest, particularly targeting coverage of protests. Press freedom groups swiftly condemned the stark censorship.

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