Thai authorities pull TV channels as martial law imposed

Thai military authorities have taken several TV stations off air, citing national security concerns as martial law was imposed in the Southeast Asian country

Thai forces occupied the offices of several media groups and about ten unspecified satellite channels were closed to prevent what the army termed “the distortion of news, which creates misunderstanding.”

The Straits Times published a picture of soldiers occupying the offices of Bangkok-based National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, but a full roster of the affected stations was not immediately available.

The closures are understood to cover stations considered to be supporting various political factions, many of which are bitterly opposed, and to be broadcasting news and current affairs.

The army’s commander in chief told local press that the TV station closures were temporary, but they would remain out of operation for “as long as necessary”.