{"id":14955,"date":"2014-06-12T02:00:59","date_gmt":"2014-06-12T02:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/thai-coup-leader-order-free-world-cup-tv\/"},"modified":"2014-06-12T02:00:48","modified_gmt":"2014-06-12T02:00:48","slug":"thai-coup-leader-order-free-world-cup-tv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/thai-coup-leader-order-free-world-cup-tv\/","title":{"rendered":"Thai Coup Leader Order Free World Cup TV"},"content":{"rendered":"

{{Thailand’s ruling junta has ordered TV regulators to ensure that football fans will not have to pay to watch any matches at the World Cup.}}<\/p>\n

The military said it was part of its “happiness campaign”, which has seen a number of policy gimmicks, such as free haircuts and concerts.<\/p>\n

The broadcaster that bought the rights to show the World Cup is reportedly claiming $21.5m (\u00a313m) in compensation.<\/p>\n

The junta overthrew the government last month promising to restore order.<\/p>\n

It has since cracked down on dissent, detaining hundreds of potential opponents and releasing them with warnings about their future behaviour.<\/p>\n

Bangkok and some other parts of the country remain under curfew.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to subdue opposition to the coup, the military has been running a charm offensive alongside its repression.<\/p>\n

The BBC’s Jonathan Head in Bangkok says ensuring the World Cup can be watched by everyone is central to this so-called happiness campaign.<\/p>\n

The RS broadcaster had already bought the rights to the matches and planned to allow only a third to be shown on free-to-air channels.<\/p>\n

To see all of them viewers would have to buy a decoder, at a cost beyond many poorer Thais.<\/p>\n

So the military has ordered the national broadcasting regulator to negotiate a deal for all the matches to be shown at no cost, despite the potentially hefty compensation claims.<\/p>\n

Our correspondent says the military seems willing to spend generously to win hearts and minds.<\/p>\n

It is already promising to subsidise farmers, to revive ambitious infrastructure spending plans and to cap the costs of basic foods.<\/p>\n

The initiatives are borrowed from the government that the junta overthrew after months protests often directed at those same policies.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n

{A football match with elephants representing World Cup nations was a big hit with students}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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