rooster59 Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Abhisit warns: social media is all-powerful but has a downside By The Nation Courtesy of Chavarong Limpattamapanee. SOCIAL MEDIA will become a new battleground during the build-up to the next election as it has the power to direct political agendas and mobilise supporters. However, it is a double-edged sword as it reaches people fast and can arouse their emotions, rather than critical thinking, a seminar on social media and politics was told yesterday. The seminar, Social Media and Changes of Thai politics, organised by Isra Institute’s media executive class, saw notable political experts and Democratic party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva exchange views on the power of social media in shaping Thai politics. Abhisit said the role of social media could be observed both now, when no election is not yet in sight, and in the lead-up to February next year, when the election is expected to be held. He said he expected social media to play a greater role in shaping people’s thinking as the election neared, because politics was about the battle between different schools of thought. By the time of the election there will be around five or six million new voters and the social media they have grown up with would become the new battleground for campaigning, said the former PM. Among the participants in this contest will be new technology such as Facebook Live, and politicians will need to think hard which tools they should adopt in order to best reach voters. Abhisit said those using social media should nevertheless be careful because content disseminated online would reach people too fast to be screened properly. Atukkit Sawangsuk, a noted columnist, agreed with Abhisit, saying social media was powerful but lacked systematic processes to help control contents. Political messages delivered through social media at present were scattered and lacked direction, he said, prompting emotions to be aroused rather than people’s intellects. This, he said, was dangerous as issues and solutions would be driven by emotion rather than facts, and authoritarianism would be sought more and more to quickly end issues of the day. However, when social media is used to keep political office holders and high-profile personalities in check that is when it is at its most useful, they agreed. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law expert and vice rector of Thammasat University, said social media had provided equal access and freedom for people to communicate. Everyday people can suddenly have equal power, he said, citing the case of the CSI LA Facebook Page, which exposed the luxury watches seen on Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s wrist on various occasions. Prinya also noted that social media could be used to help shape policies that people wished to see. It’s what he called a smart democracy, having only a mobile phone to introduce their political wills and needs, he said. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30341163 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post YetAnother Posted March 17, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 17, 2018 15 minutes ago, rooster59 said: However, it is a double-edged sword as it reaches people fast and can arouse their emotions, rather than critical thinking, critical thinking is not a viable option in the great bulk of thai individuals 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcula Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 13 minutes ago, rooster59 said: social media is all-powerful but has a downside Agreed. One big downside is that unfortunately some people might start sharing again on social media the clip of a certain BBC interview. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bannork Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 2 minutes ago, YetAnother said: critical thinking is not a viable option in the great bulk of thai individuals Make that worldwide or do you think people voted for Trump because of his intellect? 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samui Bodoh Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 39 minutes ago, rooster59 said: Abhisit warns: social media is all-powerful but has a downside It is funny, but when I saw this headline I wasn't really thinking much about the power of social media; that is well-known and well-discussed. What struck me is how diminished Abhisit is. Is there anyone who saw his name attached to the article and thought "Hmm I wonder what he has to say?". Is there anyone who really believes that he is going to be a player in future Thai politics? Is there anyone who sees him as a "Prime Minister in Waiting"? How the appointed have fallen... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bannork Posted March 18, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said: It is funny, but when I saw this headline I wasn't really thinking much about the power of social media; that is well-known and well-discussed. What struck me is how diminished Abhisit is. Is there anyone who saw his name attached to the article and thought "Hmm I wonder what he has to say?". Is there anyone who really believes that he is going to be a player in future Thai politics? Is there anyone who sees him as a "Prime Minister in Waiting"? How the appointed have fallen... But he won't resign as leader of The Democrats. How many elections does a party leader have to lose before calling it quits? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeneeds Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Free speech is just that, no matter what medium, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oziex1 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 "Political messages delivered through social media at present were scattered and lacked direction, he said, prompting emotions to be aroused rather than people’s intellects." Seems more like a comment on Politicians than social media. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBKK Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Well he would say that wouldn't he? he has never been popular and his inherent weakness is exposed at every turn including his SILENCE regarding the Junta. Those who FEAR transparency and debate, through whatever medium, have something to hide and in Abhisit's case it is inaction, inertia and inability. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayboy Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 1 hour ago, bannork said: But he won't resign as leader of The Democrats. How many elections does a party leader have to lose before calling it quits? Lots 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweatalot Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I agree social media have a downside politicians - at least in certain countries - don't need a downside they are the downside 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marginline Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Rolex watches are not inclined to reach their reserved selling price if they are clustered in groups of 19 or more; especially on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MW72 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Change the words social media from the title to Thai Military and I might have been interested in what he had to say. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juan B Tong Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) The downside for Thai politics is that people are able to actually learn about the corruption at all levels and can name and shame the scoundrels! Edited March 18, 2018 by Juan B Tong 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonstarjon Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Oh and another guide on what to do when your family wants to disenherit your rightful power.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) 11 hours ago, YetAnother said: critical thinking is not a viable option in the great bulk of thai individuals Oh I am sure that they would be more than prepared to indulge in it, it is simply not an option, at present open to them, other perhaps than through "social media". The ruling political dinosaurs, of whom Abhisit is a youthful example (if that is not a contradiction!) are, as yet, unable to figure out how to stop that. If they do, rest assured that Abhisit will roll over and accept that. After all, when a fellow wants a job... As ever, he is so "flexible" that you never know what his actual position on anything is. Edited March 18, 2018 by JAG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGW Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 11 hours ago, rooster59 said: Abhisit said those using social media should nevertheless be careful. Fixed it, forget the "trust us" we are the "real news" BS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chainarong Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 11 hours ago, bannork said: But he won't resign as leader of The Democrats. How many elections does a party leader have to lose before calling it quits? Has anyone indicated they want Abhisits job because I think the guy would gladly give it away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bannork Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 19 minutes ago, chainarong said: Has anyone indicated they want Abhisits job because I think the guy would gladly give it away. From what I've heard he is still convinced he is the best man to lead The Democrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOC Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) What Abhisit really said....... "I am wetting my pants, because the new political wizard Thanathorn (the auto-part billionaire) is so good at using social media...." Edited March 18, 2018 by JOC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnniey Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 52 minutes ago, bannork said: From what I've heard he is still convinced he is the best man to lead The Democrats. Despite being British! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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