Chalerm vows lese majeste net crackdown

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Chalerm vows lese majeste net crackdown

Yingluck orders check if UDD intimidated press

Published: 27/08/2011 at 04:46 AM
Newspaper section: News

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has promised to crack down on websites with lese majeste content and to look into alleged intimidation of the press by red shirts.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung offers Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra some advice while she chairs a meeting to explain the government’s policies to senior state officials at Government House yesterday. CHANAT KATANYU

Mr Chalerm, who oversees the Royal Thai Police Office, said taking action against websites containing content that insults the monarchy would be one of his top priorities.

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: Writer: Aekarach Sattaburuth; Position: Reporter

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johninbkk
Post : 2498
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Discussion 19 : 28/08/2011 at 09:03 PM19
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geoffo D6 - How was she harassed? What did she say? What did the red shirts say to her? Please tell us.
bonzo
Post : 424
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Discussion 18 : 27/08/2011 at 10:39 PM18
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"Such websites will not be tolerated […] I will take action as quickly as possible," Mr Chalerm said.

Which is when, exactly?
crunchy
Post : 228
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Discussion 17 : 27/08/2011 at 04:33 PM17
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Disc:16 Abbub.. And you are now changing sides because this present govt. is more strict (in terms of LM laws) than in AV govt. Now you can see the difference now?

"As you say, If the PTP does the same I will be one step closer to closing the door on them. "
Go ahead, UDD and Pheu Thai supporters will be behind you.
abbub
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Discussion 16 : 27/08/2011 at 03:59 PM16
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LAZAR D15: How do you know what people speak English well and not and why is that a determining factor about being a good politician? Maybe world leaders should learn Thai. I have yet to know of a single US president who spoke more than English.

The setting up of a war room to hunt down websites containing lese majeste material? I have news for him. The last government and military already set it up. In fact a few. 100,000 volunteers are busy every day keeping the internet clean. Tens of thousands of sites have already been blocked. The LM laws were abused for political purposes to stifle opposition. If the PTP does the same I will be one step closer to closing the door on them.

We supported the PTP in the hopes of helping the poor out of the morass but also, of creating a more open and understanding society, including freedom of speech and expression within the context of an evolving democracy.

If the PTP fails they should also be shown the door.
lazar
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Discussion 15 : 27/08/2011 at 02:36 PM15
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Why are government principles allowed, that dont have English as at least a secondary language? How can they converse with the world powers in a northern tongue?
meme
Post : 532
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Discussion 14 : 27/08/2011 at 01:15 PM14
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"Mr Kwanchai has promised to keep the red shirts in Udon Thani under control, Mr Chalerm said."
Kwanchai failed to control them last year when attacking hospitals and arsons in Bangkok. Now they only attack foreign female journalists and peaceful Thai demonstrators so I guess we should see that as an improvement.
shopwow
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Discussion 13 : 27/08/2011 at 12:22 PM13
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Majority of the Thai voters elected this government to solve their economic problems. I am sure all the voters are aware of how the last Thaksin government was run. Criticism aside, the people wanted this government despite all those problems with the last Thaksin rule. There was press muzzling then too and it will be there now. The press is without a backbone, you need to develop better skills and methods to handle this problem. Going down on your knees to Yingluck and begging her to take care of the reds is a cowardly act from the press. Is that the best that you can do? Yingluck has better things to do, she needs to make people happy economically. The people want her to do that. Yingluck also needs the reds and their vigilante activities. The reds come in handy when any problem for the Pheaua Thai cannot be resolved through the existing laws and constitution. - All voters are aware of that.
englishbob
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Discussion 12 : 27/08/2011 at 12:22 PM12
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Hello, UDD and Peua Thai fans... I just want to remind you how you used to blast the Democrats for censorship and use of the Lese Majeste laws and I replied that Peua Thai were exactly the same if not worse..

I also want to remind you how I likened Thaksin's politics to Mao Zedong's personality cult. Here are Shinawatra's Red Guard beating and intimidating anyone who is a non-believer. It's too predictable to be fun anymore.
tomb
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Discussion 11 : 27/08/2011 at 11:42 AM11
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Exactly what we needed - more misguided censorship just to muzzle political opponents. Thailand as well as China should grow up and start realising that fear of criticism is a sign of weakness.
vladimir
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Discussion 10 : 27/08/2011 at 10:47 AM10
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"Mr Chalerm also said Prime Minister Yingluck had told him to follow up on a case involving alleged intimidation of the press by red shirts."

Why is the government getting involved in a simple and minor law and order issue? Surely this is the job of the local police. The journalists should report it to the police and let them get on with their job, and let the government get on with more important issues. There are plenty of those.