VOA慢速英语--泰国抗议活动继续 警方试图限制媒体

As pro-democracy protests continue in Thailand, the government has sought to restrict news coverage¹ and block Telegram, the messaging service widely used by demonstrators.

Thousands of protesters gathered in northern Bangkok on Monday, as they have in different parts of the capital over the past week. Pro-democracy demonstrations³ were also held Monday in other cities.

The protests have continued even after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha declared an emergency order last week. The state of emergency banned gatherings⁴ of more than four people.

The protesters are demanding Prayuth's resignation. The former army general has led the country under military rule since his group seized power in 2014. The protesters are also pushing for changes to the constitution and reforms of the country's monarchy⁵.

A top official with Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission confirmed reports that the agency had been ordered to block the availability of Telegram. The official told The Associated Press the commission was in contact with internet service providers about carrying out the order. Demonstrators around the world use Telegram to help organize protests.

Police spokesman Kissana Phataracharoen also confirmed that an order signed by the chief of police could permit officials to block news websites that publish what he called "distorted information."

Under existing laws, the government's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and the Ministry⁶ of Digital Economy and Society have the power to ban broadcasts and block internet content. Police themselves can also do so under the existing emergency order.

A spokesman for the digital ministry said it had requested court orders to take down content by four media companies and the Facebook page of the protest group Free Youth. The ministry had identified more than 300,000 pieces of content it said had violated Thai laws over the past week, the spokesman said.

The Manushya Foundation is an independent group that campaigns for online freedom. It described the government measures as an attempt to silence free media. "Since the ban on protests did not work, the military-backed government hopes to create fear of telling the truth," its director Emilie Palamy Pradichit said. "We urge free media to resist."

A 19-year-old protester named Jin cheered "keep fighting" during Monday's demonstration². He told the Reuters news agency that any government action against media "takes away people's rights to information."

Student demonstrators have for the first time publicly criticized the monarchy and called for its reform. Such action is unheard of in Thailand, where the royal family is protected by laws preventing criticism of any of its members.

Conservative Thais accuse the protest movement of seeking to end the monarchy, a charge its leaders deny. The Royal Palace has made no comment on the protest movement or its demands.

Prayuth has said he will not quit. On Monday, he expressed support for a proposal to call a special session of parliament to discuss the situation. His supporters hold a majority in parliament.

"We are just asking people not to do wrong and destroy the government and people's property," Prayuth said. "What the government needs to do is to protect the monarchy. This is the duty of all Thais," he added.

Words in This Story

monarchy – n. a system of government in which a country is ruled by a king and queen whose power is limited by a constitution

distort - v. to change information so that it is not true or realistic

content - n. information contained in a piece of writing, a speech, a movie or on the internet

digital – adj. relating to computer technology, especially the internet

royal – adj. belonging or connected to a king or queen or member of their family

1 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

2 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

5 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

6 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。