The Nation / 12 December 1998

Politics 
Network gives Lao apology

   A THAI television station on Friday apologised to 
Laotian athletes saying news aired earlier this week was 
not meant to ridicule the recreation activities of the 
Laotian sepak takraw team.
   Station director Supharb Khleekhajai said the iTV news 
team had no intention of belittling the Laotians, as they 
had intended to present viewers with activities of the 
visiting athletes other than sports.
   Earlier this week, iTV covered the sepak takraw 
competition from Monday to Wednesday in Trang province, and 
described the Laotian team's jovial attitude in enjoying 
the taste of seawater and how the players accepted eventual 
defeat. This angered Laotian coach Lamphong Suwannawongse.
   Lamphong was deeply offended by iTV's report, which he 
said suggested that his team was participating in the games 
with no intention of winning matches, with players being 
more interested in recreation. He wrote an open letter to 
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on Wednesday.
   The network had also presented pictures of the team 
singing Thai songs with commentary that they seemed to have 
forgotten their mother tongue.
   PM's Office Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, who is also 
chairman of the 13th Asian Games, said he hopes the apology 
offered by iTV would contribute to understanding and end 
any ill-feeling.