Mentors Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 BANGKOK -- The ban of a television commercial entitled “Kor Thod ... Pra Thet Thai†(Apologize ... Thailand) from Thailand's free television has caused a flood of criticism in social media and Web forums. But there was still no explanation from the television station joint censorship committee which ordered the ban. The advertisement was created by the “Positive Network,†a new initiative by many major communication groups in Thailand. The network consists of people from advertising, public relations, media agencies, and cable and TV associations. According to Kom Chad Luek newspaper, the committee ordered the ban because they thought the message and pictures used in the ad were too extreme and risked defamation. The paper quoted Bhanu Inkawat, one of the ad's creators and founder of the network as saying the panel told him they were concerned about the way the story was told and the order of the pictures. “We understand the committee and are reviewing it to try to make it pass the censor,†Bhanu said. The creator tells the story by using pictures and script to depict what happened to the country and questions society. The music “Auld Lang Syne†was used in the background. Here is a translation of the script: “Did we do anything wrong? Did we handle anything too harshly? Did we listen to only one side of the story? Did we perform our duties? Did we really think of people? Were we corrupt? Did we take too much? Did the media make people better informed? Did our society deteriorate? Did we love money more than the rightness? And did we only wait for help? If there was anyone to blame, it would be all of us. Apologize Thailand. And if there was anyone who can fix the problems, it would be all Thais. Keep the loss in mind and turn it into our force.†The script is straightforward, though a bit satirical. Good and stunning pictures chosen to depict the story  though some may have been too harsh and sarcastic. The pictures showed the burning of the Central World building and soldiers pointing guns at protesters  as it really happened. When I first watched the advertisement on Youtube I really felt sad and depressed for what I saw in the video. But the message “Keep the loss in mind and turn it into our force†at the end made me feel stronger and hopeful  though the pictures depicted in the last message were quite soft and normal. They wanted to tell people that despite the darkness, there is always some light. I thought the strong signal in the advertisement was that the loss to the country was caused by us all, and we have to take responsibility at any cost. The creator didn't point blame at anyone or any group, but tried to remind Thais of the loss and warned people they should not let it happen again. This advertisement is one of the best  and Thais should not miss it. It has come at the right time and the right place, when people feel helpless about what has happened over the last few years. Thais should watch it and think creatively about what we should do next to help restore the country  instead of watching it to find wrongdoers. The censorship committee should review the ban sooner rather than later. Even the Center for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) put the advertisement on its website. Stopping this being shown on free television means nothing as nowadays people can watch it via the Internet and social media. Are we too sensitive  or do we lack courage to hear and see the truth? http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/special-to-the-china-post/2010/07/20/265275/Banned-ad.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Abhisit says it should be shown. The CRES says it should be shown. The Bangkok Post wrote an editorial saying it should be shown. So who are the committee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Abhisit says it should be shown. The CRES says it should be shown. The Bangkok Post wrote an editorial saying it should be shown. So who are the committee? Yellow shirts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Follow up in the BP: The censorship board has denied banning the controversial TV commercial "Thailand, We Apologise", saying it was in the process of correcting the advert before allowing it to be aired. Certain scenes in the commercial, lasting about 20 seconds, would be cut because they were deemed to be inappropriate and could be against the law, the board said in a statement released yesterday. The producers of the advert submitted it to the board for approval on June 21 and on June 28 they reported to the board about changes they had made to to correct some parts that the board had said were against the law. The board said the producers were now in the process of correcting the problematic parts of the commercial and would then resubmit it for approval. Scenes to be removed include those of protesters torching public property on May 19, security officers holding weapons and getting ready to fire, some pornographic images, some deemed offensive to religious institutions, and images of protesters (both yellow shirts and red shirts) gathering in political rallies in a way that might trigger a state of unrest or affect national unity or internal security. Even without the approval of the censors, trailers for the commercial have been screened at certain events and released to some TV programmes that agreed to air the advert to help promote it. The commercial was first screened to enthusiastic applause at an event called "Ignite Thailand" held at Lumpini Park on June 16. The 150-second original version of the commercial has been uploaded onto the internet and has been viewed by large numbers of people. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday he has suggested the censorship board reconsider banning the TV ad. He said he has watched it and thinks its producers only had good intentions in getting their message across to the Thai people. The producers of the advert said last week they were shocked to learn that it had been banned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave32 Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Hey KS, when I attempt to open this thread (and only this thread) on the site --> getting this warning. FYI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Hi, Looks like it doesn't like the site where Mentors is getting his icon from (icons.iconator.com). Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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