Thai "red-shirts" TV channel blacked out

BANGKOK, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The Thailand's People's Channel ( PTV), a "red-shirts" TV channel, has been blacked out Thursday, one day after Thailand's Prime Minister declared a state of emergency in and around Bangkok.

The broadcast from the ThaiCom star was inaccessible while that from NSS6 could be until at about 11:10 am.

Earlier in the day the Army's spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd indicated the authorities may seize broadcast equipment of the PTV if the station goes on airing distorted information.

"The shutting down of a media will be made if it distorts information to cause misunderstanding," Sansern said.

"We will not use the signal blocking method but we will seize control of the broadcast equipment. If they purchase new equipment and do not distort the information again, they may resume the broadcast," he said.

Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panitharn Wattanayakorn also said the government might seize broadcast equipment of the station instead of blocking its transmission from satellites.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some areas of the nearby five provinces in a TV live address at about 6:00 p.m. Wednesday to deal with the ongoing anti-government rally by "red-shirts".