It is tempting to say it is a pleasure to be banned by the Burmese junta. In truth, no publication wants to be banned. The journalists of the Bangkok Post and other Thai media want to be able to report as accurately and completely as possible. The Burmese ban will make this more difficult. It seems, however, that the ban on 15 reporters from Thailand is not the problem. It is merely a symptom of growing trouble that poses far greater danger to Burma.
It now appears clear Burma is using its alleged border dispute with Thailand to mask far more serious breakdowns within the country. For this reason, the government and armed forces were entirely correct to answer the scandalous Burmese attacks on an important Thai institution once, and then stop. Major efforts inside Burma are under way to enrage citizens against Thailand. The military dictatorship, whose end is now in sight, obviously hopes to divert attention from internal problems. Thailand is the chosen whipping boy.
The United Nations envoy Razali Ismail is to return to Rangoon within three weeks. The UN has become clearly determined to end the abusive military dictatorship in Burma. During his last visit, in April, Mr Razali told the generals they must free democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. On his next trip, he will tell them they have no choice but to begin meaningful negotiations to bring democrats into the government.
It is the most serious threat to the survival of the military government since Ne Win seized power in a coup in 1962. Mr Razali is from Malaysia, an Asean member which has been largely supportive of Burma and even its worst excesses against its people and neighbours. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has declared publicly the generals must begin to give up their power.The generals have reportedly met widespread cynicism and opposition in their racist, ``anti-Yodaya'' campaign. It is based on the success Thai troops showed in closing the border to the regime's drug-trafficking Wa allies. The initial timidity of Thai authorities in the face of Burmese threats has given way to a more professional attitude.
The fact is the ban announced on the Bangkok Post is as false as the ``border dispute''. This newspaper has been banned from Burma since the 1962 coup. While reporters of this newspaper have reported freely and opened news bureaus in many neighbouring countries, no newsman from this or any other Thai newspaper has ever had freedom to report from Burma. The permanent ban on Thai and foreign reporters is occasionally lifted for brief, supervised periods.
The Burmese dictators know well that the Bangkok Post is one of the most respected news sources in their country. Copies of the newspaper, smuggled into Burma, are traded and its articles copied. This is because this newspaper, and other Thai media, report accurately and completely on Burmese affairs. News reports and comments fairly reflect the state of affairs inside Burma.
The Thai Journalists Association correctly states that the total ban on 15 Thai reporters will limit reporting on Burma. Such bans in the past have proved more harmful to those responsible for the ban. Such an across-the-board blacklist is clearly a slap at Thailand, and not only at the Thai press. It cannot prevent reports on Burma from reaching the Thai public, through their media. But it may prevent reporting from inside Burma that presents the regime in a good light.
The Burmese ban on Thai journalists is a microcosm of the Burma problem. Faced with a problem, the dictators react with force. The junta is afraid to give power to its democratic leaders or people. The Thai media follow the law. The Burmese media follow their orders.