Grim future for Thai netizens

EDITORIAL

Published: 28/04/2011 at 04:05 AM
Newspaper section: News

Civil rights groups, advocates for freedom of expression, online media and netizens are all up in arms against the new computer crime bill which will replace the existing law that has been in force since July 18, 2007. They have a good reason to fear and despise the new law, which they believe will make the current legislation, already condemned as repressive, seem mild in comparison.

Evidence abounds as to how bad the current Computer Crime Act is. Ever since the law came into force four years ago, many tens of thousands of websites and web pages have been cached, blocked, blacklisted or shut down by the chief law enforcer, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.

Worse, many people have been arrested on lese majeste charges, with the most celebrated case being that of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, webmaster of Prachathai online media. Her case is still pending in court but has already been heavily criticised by both local and international rights organisations.

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franklin
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Discussion 8 : 28/04/2011 at 07:14 PM8
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flashflood D1 - Me thinks the Thai power brokers, politicians and generals are trying to start up their own web site called "Lose Facebook"! So far it's been a success.
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tomb
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Discussion 7 : 28/04/2011 at 03:29 PM7
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What does it say about you if you are afraid of free speech? Nothing good I guess. Thai rulers should focus on developing communication, not shutting the Internet down whenever they feel like it.
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nedkelly
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Discussion 6 : 28/04/2011 at 10:34 AM6
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All Thai governments are afraid of any form of freedom of speech, especially this mob of nitwit, military puppets.
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flashflood
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Discussion 5 : 28/04/2011 at 10:18 AM5
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Last saturday night -some people trying to access Facebook in Thailand were blocked for about 6 hours and redirected a mict.co.th site - was this a trial run for the election and its aftermath ? Who makes the decision in a democracy to suddenly block FB for no good reason ? Sign of the times maybe ? Either way it's a pathetic joke that in 2011 this can happen.
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 4 : 28/04/2011 at 10:08 AM4
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While it doesn't address or redress the root afront to personal freedom, Internet blocking is easy to circumnavigate. if the Thai government's Internet police are not aware of that fact and the futility of their efforts, then they are incredibly inept.
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Asian Hand
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Discussion 3 : 28/04/2011 at 09:39 AM3
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D1 - you are right on track. This aging generation of ruling elite have become paranoic about information control and the threat "freedom of speech" poses to their way of doing things now and for their hi so kids (who don't give a hoot anyway; they have their sportscars and RCA memberships intact). Anyway, there are always ways around IT controls - even in repressive societies. Where there is will there is a way.
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barryw
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Discussion 2 : 28/04/2011 at 08:01 AM2
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Agree with Aussie John (Dis #1). It is an almost impossible situation to change, but more and more people are finding ways to think for themselves. It is happening everywhere that people are oppressed, slowly but surely, from the old Iron Curtain, to the Middle East, even in Burma with its harsh military rule. Increasingly, slowly, people find their own voice. And eventually enough people decide that they've had enough and refuse to be treated as ignorant second-class citizens any longer.
What I find truly remarkable about the computer laws is that are they aimed primarily at something that everyone claims isn't a problem - the (I thought) universal respect for the Royal Family. If everyone does respect the institution, why the need for the law and the blocking of many tens of thousands of websites?
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Aussie John
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Discussion 1 : 28/04/2011 at 04:56 AM1
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The biggest threat to the ruling elite who assume control in the kingdom is the 'freedom of speech' the internet provides. Repressive nations in Asian all have stringent censorship laws in place so as to restrict access to knowledge so as to maintain autocratic control over the submissive uneducated masses.
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Grim future for Thai netizens | Bangkok Post: opinion