Free speech and internet censorship in Thailand

[Hmmm]

From:
Censoring free speech in Thailand
C.J. Hinke
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT)

"ThailandтАЩs military juntaтАЩs fifth order following its coup dтАЩetat September 19, 2006 was to appoint an Official Censor of the Military Coup. The overthrown elected government had publicly stated that it intended to block 800,000 websites.
ThailandтАЩs Official Censor never got that far but he did manage to block 17,793 sites before a general election. In addition the Royal Thai Police claim to block a further 32,500. The junta obviously considered the Internet a dangerous place as its ICT Ministry introduced a Computer-Related Crimes Act to the military-appointed parliament as its first law.
The first draft of this cybercrime law included the death penalty, though, on final passage, the strictures were reduced to тАЬonlyтАЭ 20 years for some computer crimes."
....

Full story here:
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala ... -thailand/ (http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2008/05/19/fact-on-censoring-free-speech-in-thailand/)

oh well....
censorship, inflation, housing cost, anti-foreigner policies....etc
I am becoming quite hesitant to settle down in LOS now.

To add to this, Thailand scores 118 out of a list of 140 countries on the "Global Piece Index". According to the Bangkok Post "Singapore came out top in the region at 29th, followed by Vietnam (37th), Malaysia (38th), Laos (51st), Indonesia (68th), Cambodia (91st) and the Philippines (113th)."

Just imagine how much better of this country would have been if it hadn't had such atrocious government for the past 61 years. There would be no sex industry and Pattaya would be a nice and orderly seaside getaway. Maybe it's time to move to Vietnam?

Philippines rates better than Thailand? Wonder how they compiled those figures. Maybe the problems in the south of Thailand are skewing the results? I dont think there is any question about whether Bangkok or Manila is the safer city to live in.

[Lunchtime O'Booze]

with all due respect asiagayboy...but what is the "Global Piece Index". ???

Maybe it's time to move to Vietnam?

I wouldn't call the government of Vietnam benevolent, or its society orderly.

[Lunchtime O'Booze]

"The first draft of this cybercrime law included the death penalty, though, on final passage, the strictures were reduced to тАЬonlyтАЭ 20 years for some computer crimes."

I wonder what you have to do to get this punishment ?..I must consult Earwig urgently.

Hehehe, the Global Peace Index. Sorry for the typo, Mr O'Booze. The Peace Index is pieced together by the Economist, amongst others. According to Wikipedia "the research team was headed by The Economist Intelligence Unit in conjunction with academics and experts in the field of peace." At least it's not done by some state sponsored NGO with a hidden agenda.

Here's more about how they come to their conclusions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Peace_Index

As for goverment, Remote Control, I would not call the Thai goverment benevolent. Just look at how they are now trying to destroy poor Jakrapob. Thai society is not very orderly either. I experience the chaos on a daily basis.

[jinks]

"Poor Jakrapob"?

Surely you jest? He may be "one of us", but he is a complete and totally despicable Thaksin arse-licker.

Only 2 days and you're back.

[Brad the Impala]

[quote="Strontium-40":19ieerht]"Poor Jakrapob"?

Surely you jest? He may be "one of us", but he is a complete and totally despicable Thaksin arse-licker.

Only 2 days and you're back.

The title of this topic is "free speech and internet censorship in Thailand". Are you in favor, or against? I guess we'll see.[/quote:19ieerht]

I think we have already!

[Hmmm]

Hehehe, the Global Peace Index. Sorry for the typo, Mr O'Booze. The Peace Index is pieced together by the Economist, amongst others. According to Wikipedia "the research team was headed by The Economist Intelligence Unit in conjunction with academics and experts in the field of peace." At least it's not done by some state sponsored NGO with a hidden agenda.

Here's more about how they come to their conclusions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Peace_Index


"Thailand says poor rating is misinformed"
By The Nation
Published on May 24, 2008
Rating falls from 105 to 118 with strong possibility of violence
Thailand has dismissed the Global Peace Index (GPI) report downgrading the country's peace and happiness ranking, saying the survey was not based on proper information. "
Full report here:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05 ... 073853.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/24/national/national_30073853.php)

The gist of it ... tourists like to come to Thailand, so the rating must be wrong ....