Thailand: Blogger Reportedly Held Under New Computer Crime Law

[amigoro]

Reporters Without Borders voiced concern today about the reported detention of a Thai blogger for the past 12 days under the new Computer Crime Act, which took effect on 18 July.

“We call on the information and communications technology ministry to take an official position on this arrest, which would be the first of its kind since the adoption of the Computer Crime Act,” the press freedom organisation said. “It confirms our fears about the dangers of a law that is supposed to combat pornography but turns out to be a way of restricting and controlling press freedom.”

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What are the implications of this action for TV? If some lamer writes just one Lèse majesté comment, can the owners be thrown in jail and the forum shutdown?

[GuestHouse]

There are frequant posts here on TV from people who would love to deny other people their voice.

Censorship of speach and ideas is a very popular idea with some people - usually those with something to hide.

As for the impact on TV - That I would suggest is a moderation issue and therefore not for discussion.

But do be aware that self censorship is often more stringent and restrictive than the censorship laws that exist.

[Scott]

I frequently self-censor what I write--otherwise, I get a holiday!

In all honesty, I really have problems with censorship laws. They can be very problematic.

[george]

How much do you guys trust the source "Reporters Without Borders"?

[Stephen Cleary]

How much do you guys trust the source "Reporters Without Borders"?

Originally, the rumours were of two folk who were arrested for Lese-majeste remarks on a chat-room - now according to this new report, it was a 'Blogger'. In fact, it looks like this complete tale of arrests was started on an Internet Forum or Chat Room!

Unless any publication can come with some decent evidence and proof, then this story has been completely fabricated. Says a lot for 'Reporters Without Borders' sucking up helping spreading a myth!

Edited September 6, 2007 by Stephen Cleary

[girlx]

wow thailand is really going downhill... can i say that?

[A_Traveller]

This goes back to a comment in a Financial Times {London} article which quoted a 'senior source', then a different version appeared on the local web {in Thai} and now this. It's difficult to know what, if any, truth there is in this. Maybe an attempt to get an acknowledgement or denial by raising its profile?

Regards

/edit PS Have to agree that self-censorship, which we all practice here to one degree or another is the most pernicious //

/second edit to add in Thai re point below//

Edited September 6, 2007 by A_Traveller

[Jimjim]

I'm sure they pay much more attention to Thai language forums than this one, unless someone starts witch hunt which has happened with English language Thai based sites before.

[peter991]

Freedom of the press 'seems' to be declining in Thailand. According to the RWF website Thailand has slipped from 75th place (2002) to 122nd place (2006).

No information on whether the blocking of certain websites such as YouTube helped put Thailand lower on the scale. Perhaps the new Computer Crime Act will see Thailand even lower in their 2007-08 survey.

Peter

[Jimjim]

Blocking youtube was understandable and it's back up now.

[Mid]

Blogger reportedly held under new computer crime law

RSF

05 September 2007

Reporters Without Borders voiced concern today about the reported detention of a Thai blogger for the past 12 days under the new Computer Crime Act, which took effect on 18 July.

snip

prachatai.com

.......... ............ .............. ....................

Net surfers seek truth on cyber crime arrest

The Nation

06 September 2007

Net surfers have sought a Thai government explanation over a report in the Financial Times about the arrest of two Thais for alleged offensive comments about the monarchy on an Internet chat room.

They afraid that a webmaster going missing under suspicious circumstances might be one of the victims.

The webmaster, known as Phraya Phichai, who runs

snip

prachatai.com

voiced concern.........................

[cdnvic]

Let's get all the facts in first. Reporters without borders voicing concern about something that may have happened constitutes no facts whatsoever.

[A_Traveller]

Let's get all the facts in first. Reporters without borders voicing concern about something that may have happened constitutes no facts whatsoever.

But this has been bubbling in the Thai blogsphere for weeks now, and no 'facts' have emerged. By raising it through RWB then possibly it'll get some international traction. especially added to the FT article. As I've said this is an awareness exercise aimed at getting a response from the authorities here, or if you prefer a fact finding exercise.

Regards

/edit typo //

Edited September 6, 2007 by A_Traveller

[amigoro]

How much do you guys trust the source "Reporters Without Borders"?

It is a well known and well respected press freedom group. Their actions have resulted in numerous journalists being freed from jails in countries where freedom expression is not high on the list of priorities. And they don't focus just on third world dictatorships. They have consistently fought against Bush Administration's persecution of reporters and bloggers.

I am really surprised by the number of people on this forum who fail to grasp the gravity of the situation, or, worse still, try to cast aspersions on the credibility of the messenger. Whilst appreciating the self-preservation imperative, I must say that meek acceptance -- or the tacit approval -- of such actions have been historically proven to be ineffective at protecting anyone.

The rest of the comment is unavailable due to self-censorship

[GuestHouse]

How much do you guys trust the source "Reporters Without Borders"?

Reporters without boarders is not the Source. That would be Pratchatai.com

Reporters Without Boarders is an organization campaigning for, among other things, freedom of speach

TV rules prevent me going futher on that discussion.

[chinthee]

Well, hel_l, if you're all censoring yourselves due to two well known reasons, can you tell us where we can go hear your opinions and knowledge of this issue? Otherwise, we're just jerking ourselves off here.

[A_Traveller]

^^Good question I and I'm sure others would welcome such a venue, but for reasons {including commercial ones} TV is not the place so to do. If anyone does have suggestions I'd be interested to hear them either public or private.

Regards

/edit remove unneeded quote//

Edited September 6, 2007 by A_Traveller

[simon43]

I'm sure every Thai person (and most 'farang') are aware of the lese-majeste rules in Thailand. Whether they agree with them or not is irrelevant. The fact is that a discussion on that particular subject is bound to be extremely 'risky' and those involved in such discussions should not be surprised of the consequences.

In any case, I am discussing a sensitive subject and will therefore zip my mouth shut before I get banned

Simon

[ColPyat]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/06...al_30047943.php

Net surfers seek truth on cyber crime arrest

Net surfers have sought a Thai government explanation over a report in the Financial Times about the arrest of two Thais for alleged offensive comments about the monarchy on an Internet chat room.

They afraid that a webmaster going missing under suspicious circumstances might be one of the victims.

The webmaster, known as Phraya Phichai, who runs www.propaganda.forumotion.com, which discusses the monarchy had been active on the Internet up until late last month. But the site had been blocked by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) since then.

Phraya Pichai is well known in the Internet community as he actively participates in web board discussions about the monarchy on many sites.

Net surfers are worried about Phraya Phichai as no one has been able to contact him since late last month when a rumour spread that he had been arrested. Many posted comments on www.prachatai.com, a site for alternative news, doubting that he might be one of the two people arrested under the new Computer Crime Act as reported by the Financial Times.

In its weekend edition, the paper reported on its front page that Thai authorities had used the new law to arrest two Thais, now in custody, for offensive comments about the monarchy made on Internet chat rooms.

However, the ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom denied knowledge of any arrests.

Pol Maj Gen Wisut Wanitchbutr, commander of the Economic and Cyber Crime division, also said his division had not arrested the two Thais.

"Lese majeste is a state crime that police from every division can make arrests for, not only my division," he said in a telephone interview. He added that he had no idea which police division arrested the two Thais as reported by the Financial Times.

The unclear information about the arrests and the disappearance of Phraya Phichai has created an uneasy atmosphere. Some net surfers were worried about being lured by police to post offensive comments against the monarchy, and some said Phraya Phichai was on line again recently.

"So who chatted with me last night? Don't tell me that someone had hacked into his computer," said a comment posted on the Prachatai web board by a net surfer identifying himself as Kampol.

On Tuesday, Fah Diew Kan ("Same Sky") Publishing house, the publisher of a radical political magazine under the same name, issued a statement demanding that all agencies related to the issue, particularly the ICT Ministry and the Royal Thai Police, explain all facts related to the Financial Times' report.

"If someone was arrested, the government and all agencies concerned with the issue must respect that person's human rights and entitlement to justice," said the statement.

The Nation

[adjan jb]

How much do you guys trust the source "Reporters Without Borders"?

I don't know.

But so far they have done more/better than you and I. Don't you think :?

[adjan jb]

"but for reasons {including commercial ones} TV is not the place so to do."

I'm afraid that's the kind of answer we will hear more and more, everywhere: at our favourite bar, in our favourite local newspaper, at the grocery and so on. Everywhere : "This is not the place to discuss.... (fill the bank)"

Soon, we'll all be afraid to speak out.

It will be called Democensor: censor from the people, by the people, for the people.

Welcome to the sanitized world.

[cclub75]

TV rules prevent me going futher on that discussion.

What the hel_l are you talking about ?

TV rules ? Please, be more specific.

EDIT: okay, okay sorry I get it now.

Edited September 6, 2007 by cclub75

[cclub75]

Blocking youtube was understandable and it's back up now.

Wrong. Now we have... a filter system.

http://thaicrisis.wordpress.com

[seonai]

www.prachatai.com - sure is a good website

[cclub75]

It is confirmed ! (Nation)

2 weeks in custody.... in secrecy.... without any lawyer... for some "offensive comments"...

This is the reality of Thailand one year after the coup. Bravo.

Burma, here we come.

[meom]

Two weeks ain't too long; in some western countries they disappear people for much longer although for other reasons. I guess lese majesty is considered worse than terrorism here.

[Hampstead]

It is confirmed ! (Nation)

2 weeks in custody.... in secrecy.... without any lawyer... for some "offensive comments"...

This is the reality of Thailand one year after the coup. Bravo.

Burma, here we come.

yeah

good olde gen sonthi 's lovely quote

"thailand should look to aspire to burma and other african countries" in having a large section of government being controlled by the military

[george]

Thread closed, see our forum rules.

Thanks