Recently, Chiranuch Premchaiyaporn, editor of the online newspaper Prachatai, gave a speech at the Thai Netizen Networks first meeting. She compare the freedom that Thai citizens have online to "animals in a cage."
She explained that while the animals have the freedom to do whatever they want in that cage, they only have the illusion of freedom because any attempt to step out of the cage is thwarted.
After her recent arrest in regards to the content on her site, she was asked to take down some of the content. Surprisingly, she has chosen not to do so. Her fear is that web content is getting more fearful, making bloggers subconsciously censor their own content. She hopes that online content will continue with its strength in opinions as well as relative anonymity.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
New Rules for Foreigners
Prachatai is now reporting that foreigners in Thailand must now get public permission in order to post anything online while they are in Thailand. This includes contributing to a blog. The Ministry of Culture now has permission forms for foreigners to get signed for permission.
If you think this is a pain, it gets even worse for foreigners who want to host a website in Thailand.
The ministry is claiming that this is not being done to censor the media. They say it is being done in order to prevent negative press affecting tourism or the country's image. Just my opinion, but news like this looks much worse than some tourist saying they had crappy food in Bangkok.
There is issue over whether or not this new law is an elaborate hoax, but while some are denying it, others are confirming it, so there's no real way of knowing if this rumor is true or not. Now, whether they were originally intending for this law to go through or not, there is in fact a form created for people to fill out to post online. Whether or not it is really necessary, we honestly don't know for sure.
If you think this is a pain, it gets even worse for foreigners who want to host a website in Thailand.
The ministry is claiming that this is not being done to censor the media. They say it is being done in order to prevent negative press affecting tourism or the country's image. Just my opinion, but news like this looks much worse than some tourist saying they had crappy food in Bangkok.
There is issue over whether or not this new law is an elaborate hoax, but while some are denying it, others are confirming it, so there's no real way of knowing if this rumor is true or not. Now, whether they were originally intending for this law to go through or not, there is in fact a form created for people to fill out to post online. Whether or not it is really necessary, we honestly don't know for sure.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Photograph Emailed Puts Man in Prison
Apparently, if you send photos of the wrong person, you can actually be put in jail. According to Prachatai, there is currently a petition going around for the royal pardon of Suwicha Thakor, a man who emailed altered photos of King King Bhumipol Adulyadej. This could put in prison for ten years.
The content of these photos was deemed insulting to the monarchy. This news is only further damaging Thailands reputation as a country without press freedom and unreasonable restrictions.
As Reporters Without Borders States, “The charge of lese majeste has become a major tool of repression in Thailand.” Reporters Without Borders began this petition and urges many people to sign it. If you are interested, click here.
The content of these photos was deemed insulting to the monarchy. This news is only further damaging Thailands reputation as a country without press freedom and unreasonable restrictions.
As Reporters Without Borders States, “The charge of lese majeste has become a major tool of repression in Thailand.” Reporters Without Borders began this petition and urges many people to sign it. If you are interested, click here.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Journalists Arrested on Trumped Up Charges
As of April 2, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is said to have blocked over 7,000 web sites. These sites reportedly contained morally offensive content.
According to Prachatai, they are now currently investigating the pornographic animation clip ‘Ninja Love’ and hope to find the poster for prosecution.
The MICT now has created a hotline call service where people can report these offensive sites anonymously. The public can now feel even more free to give up information about these sites.
The hotline will also forward their information to the monarchy in order to further prevent this content from impacting the Thai citizens.
These new occurrences are right on par with other actions that the MICT has executed.
According to Prachatai, they are now currently investigating the pornographic animation clip ‘Ninja Love’ and hope to find the poster for prosecution.
The MICT now has created a hotline call service where people can report these offensive sites anonymously. The public can now feel even more free to give up information about these sites.
The hotline will also forward their information to the monarchy in order to further prevent this content from impacting the Thai citizens.
These new occurrences are right on par with other actions that the MICT has executed.
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