Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan this morning came to the defence of members of Thailand’s best known all-girls music group BNK48 who were attacked by anti-junta critics for appearing in a government’s public relations TV programme. 

He offered them his moral support and said their personal rights should be respected.

The girls group, particularly its band leader Cherprang Areekul, came under attack by members of a pro-election activist group for taking part in the “Thailand Moves Forward” programme.  The programme is produced under the direction of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to publicize the government’s work but is seen by critics as a propaganda campaign.

The deputy prime minister said that Ms Cherprang had the right to do whatever she wishes and cautioned her critic, Rangsiman Rome, a leader of the pro-election group, against infringing on her personal rights.

Besides the popular all-girls band BNK48, the government have also recruited several other celebrities to join the programme which is normally aired simultaneously on all TV channels at 6 pm. every night.  BNK48 is one of the Thailand’s leading all-girls music groups.