Big Brother keeping internet clean for your own good!

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

Big Brother keeping internet clean for your own good!

Published: 9/03/2011 at 03:21 AM
Newspaper section: News

Article 14 of the Computer Crimes Act, passed by the military junta's appointed legislature in 2007, prescribes a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to 100,000 baht for anyone who introduces into any computer system "false" information likely to cause harm to others, damage national security or cause public alarm.

The article also prohibits the storing of computer data that contravenes criminal laws relating to national security or terrorism, as well as pornographic materials that are made accessible to the general public.

The same punishments apply to anyone who knowingly propagates or passes on such materials to others, and (under Article 15) to service providers (such as internet cafes, web hosting services and internet service providers) who allow such crimes to take place on their systems.

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About the author

: Writer: Jon Ungphakorn; Position: A human rights and social activist, winner of the

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johninbkk
Post : 2,476
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Discussion 23 : 11/03/2011 at 07:46 AM23
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bangmodken D22 - Don't confuse a comment that opposes the current government as pro-Thaksin. You don't have to like Thaksin to be against particular policies of the current government.

banmebkk D9 - So if Thaksin censored first, it's now ok if Abhisit does it? Censorship of political opposition is non-democratic, no matter who does it.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 22 : 11/03/2011 at 04:37 AM22
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D21 : "Even the Bangkok Post censors these(pro-Thaksin)comments". -Really? 788 of your comments have been posted and most of them are,in one way or another,pro Thaksin.
The one posted here on this article is pro Thaksin too.Doesn't really support your claim does it?
That goes for posters such as johninbkk with 760 too.
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ricefield
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Discussion 21 : 11/03/2011 at 12:46 AM21
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banmebkk - "You guys here must have not been here long enough" - Well I have been and I don't agree with you. Thaksin opened up community radio, allowed over 4000 licenses, where the Democrats and the Military have stifled it, closed over 5000 stations,, there is not one single licensed community radio station in Thailand now. None, Zip, Nada. Thaksin did sue people for defamation and what's wrong with that, same is happening now. And as for the internet, the Democrats and Military have definitely expanded the censorship there as well as the use of LM laws.

As for comments on a private blog, Give me a break!!! It's their prerogative to dump anything they don't like. Try and post a pro Thaksin message on a PAD website. Even the Bangkok Post censors these comments.
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cale_oosha
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Discussion 20 : 10/03/2011 at 05:40 AM20
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@ Discussion 12
You are so correct!
Sometimes I feel that those Educated Thais are still stuck in the ancient centuries and view the population as not worth to invest in as deep down those educated Thais are still holding on to the obsolete cast system of Chau Nai and Prai! It's just been replaced on the surface with Capitalism and the unrelenting pursuit wealth. If these people view everybody as equal like Japan or Korea then investment in human capital can take place that's one factor.
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loong Phet
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Discussion 19 : 10/03/2011 at 01:04 AM19
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Excellent article! I'm more than a bit surprised that it's been accepted and hope that BP will continue to debate and question the media censorship. Earlier I've seen lots of my comments being turned down--what they all had in common was my pointing to the fact that Thais abroad have access to a lot more relevant info. I'll suggest you do a piece on which websites are currently blocked in order to avoid evidence, info and opinions that challenge the government's / military's stories.
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ohmydog
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Discussion 18 : 10/03/2011 at 12:02 AM18
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@9: Why bring Thaksin up? The author was a founder of Prachatai, an attempt to by-pass media censorship during Thaksin era, so he's well aware of T's media suppression. This article is about the current situation. Criticism of the current govt doesn't imply support of past govts, unless stated.Re. Amsterdam's blog: how do you word your attempted posts? Are they attempts at joining in the discussion with well reasoned comments, supported by evidence, or 'flames'?
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rpt777
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Discussion 17 : 09/03/2011 at 03:40 PM17
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In most democratic countries, if the party in power abused that power to shut down the voice of the oppisition then it would be considered a serious crime. In Thailand it is considered business as usual. I think Thaksin was somewhat guilty, but the military backed Abhisit government has no equal in the History of Thailand in this regard. Any government that was elected with the power of the gun and then systematically shuts down any serious opposition, and then changes the constitution to give itself an advantage,then appoints its own court has things it needs to keep out of the daylight.
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subcoman
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Discussion 16 : 09/03/2011 at 02:08 PM16
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According to Freedon House (USA), civil and political liberties are lower in Thailand in 2010 than in 2006.
Freedom of speech in Thailand is lower in 2010 than in 2006 according to Reporters without Borders (France).
There is more corruption in Thailand in 2010 than in 2006 according to Tranparency International (Germany).

So you can, as discussion 9, claim that during Thaksin things were worse but without giving any sources of where such comments come from except from political point of view. Then we can first ask so what ? Is it a reason to accept it ? Then by searching internet to international organizations reports about 2006 and 2011 tell that such claim are incorrect (even if it is a fact that situation under Thaksin was already bad).
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bangmodken
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Discussion 15 : 09/03/2011 at 01:28 PM15
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Well said D12.
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rpt777
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Discussion 14 : 09/03/2011 at 12:51 PM14
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Big Brother keeping internet clean for your own good!
Actually the headline in this article should have said for "his"own good.
Just like all the actions of the military after the coup. Taking control of the courts,Canceling the constitution changing the EC, etc....all were for the same reason as controlling the media and INTERNET freedoms.
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