Thai PM: 'We'll probably just execute' journalists who don't conform to rules

Thai junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said Wednesday that his country will execute journalists who don't follow rules to "report the truth."

When reporters asked Prayuth what his government would do to journalists who didn't stick to the rules, he responded, "We'll probably just execute them."

The harsh statement comes after Prayuth announced last month that he had the power to shut down entire news outlets if necessary, Reuters reports.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

In Wednesday's statement, Prayuth said that reporters should write articles that promote "national reconciliation" in Thailand, according to Reuters. Prayuth has previously spoken out against the Thai-language newspaper Matichon, accusing it of supporting Thailand's previous administration more than his.

"You don't have to support the government, but you should report the truth," Prayuth said.