Those held for sharing Koh Tao rape claim 'did not know about computer law'

[webfact]

Those held for sharing rape claim 'did not know about computer law'

By Somkiat Raksaman 
The Nation 

 

File photo: Koh Tao

 

The FAMILIES OF some of the 12 suspects detained for sharing content from a controversial Facebook page regarding a British teen’s allegations of being raped on Koh Tao have asked for mercy and understanding, and described the suspects’ acts as being ignorant of the law.

 

The suspects from various provinces have been brought for questioning at Koh Tao Police Station. They were arrested for allegedly violating the Computer Crime Act by spreading what police described as false information from the US-based CSI LA Facebook page.

 

The page criticises police investigation into the rape claim, calling it ineffective and too quick to come to the conclusion that the rape never happened.

 

The page administrator, Pramuk Anantasin, who lives in the United States, is also faces an arrest warrant.

 

Pornpimon Aranchote, mother of suspect Manop Pansuklert, revealed that she was really shocked and upset about her son’s arrest.

 

“I wish to ask for sympathy from the public, police and other figures concerned with the case, because my son was unaware of the fact that sharing the page violates the law,” she said.

 

Deekakaew Charungklin, mother of suspect Katesophon Charungklin, told reporters that she was sorry for what had happened to her son. “I want to ask for mercy for him as he acted out of ignorance.”

 

Meanwhile Kasem Yaiyana, 58, father of Worpot Yaiyana, said he was shocked when police came to his house in Chiang Rai and told him that his son faced an arrest warrant. His son was not at the house at the time, but later surrendered and was taken to Koh Tao.

 

“I followed him down to Surat Thani and prepared to post bail for him as he is still a university student,” the father said. “I am an orchard farmer and have no idea how sharing information violated the law. I, as a father, wish to request mercy for him.” 

 

Winyat Chatmontri, secretary-general of the United Lawyers for Rights and Liberty, has arrived at Koh Tao to offer legal advice to the suspects. Deputy Tourist Police Commander Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakparn has also arrived in Koh Tao to question the suspects on the matter.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30353914

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-07

[Samui Bodoh]

There is a real effort to spike this story; they must be quite worried that their profits are going to take a hit.

 

Shakespeare said it best;

 

'Methinks he doth protest too much'

 

 

 

[rkidlad]

I’ve seen people here get bail for the most serious crimes. I’ve seen people doing despicable things only to have the police ask them to come to the station. These guys click share on a story and look at what happens. 

 

These kind of arrests leave you feeling that for the rich and powerful, their loss of face and/or money is the only real crime to be committed here. Everything else pales in comparison. 

[z42]

This is an obscene and monumental abuse of power and state resources. 

These people haven't committed a crime because there is no evidence proving or disproving claims made so far.

If the rape did occur, then really I despair because its seriousness has been completely ignored. 

 

I wish CSI LA well, he won't be deterred. The police won't be allowed to abuse power like this forever without huge repurcussions. 

 

The tinder box continues to gently smoulder I suspect. Something much bigger will be the thing to ignite it

[Lupatria]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

'did not know about computer law'

As much as I oppose the use of this 'computer crime act', I find the father's claim of an university student, his son was unaware of the law a bit odd. What is he studying- flower garlands, handclapping, and wai-ing? 

My message to all other geniuses: Your screen does not necessarily turn to olive or brown while general failure is sneaking in your hard disk!

Edited September 7, 2018 by Lupatria

[yellowboat]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

ignorant of the law.

True, if most Thais actually paid attention to Thai law, they might protest.  Instead many are blissful.  That goes for some of their Farang husbands too. 

 

The government perpetuates this thin skinned, touchiness, and it just shows terrible mental weakness.  They are terrified of being challenged and questioned, so they have these laws that crush human spirit and enslave them. 

Edited September 7, 2018 by yellowboat

[FitnessHealthTravel]

Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose..,

[Jiggo]

Interesting 

[Krataiboy]

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

True, if most Thais actually paid attention to Thai law, they might protest.  Instead many are blissful.  That goes for some of their Farang husbands too. 

 

The government perpetuates this thin skinned, touchiness, and it just shows terrible mental weakness.  They are terrified of being challenged and questioned, so they have these laws that crush human spirit and enslave them. 

I doubt there is a poster on this Forum, yourself included, who is familiar with every nip and tuck of this new catch-all law - which should be the first to repealed if we lucky enough in February acquire a government which gives a fig for democracy and free speech.

[nikmar]

I doubt there is a poster on this Forum, yourself included, who is familiar with every nip and tuck of this new catch-all law..

 

I think that's the whole point  of it. The whole ambiguity of it means it can be thrown at anyone for the most spurious of reasons.

[BEngBKK]

I guess it is okey then...

 

Is it illegal to rob a money train in Thailand ?

 

[manchega]

you know there is a certain watch wearing politician who is behind this

 

perhaps behind the cover ups on koh tao as well . . . . . . . . .

[colinneil]

3 minutes ago, manchega said:

you know there is a certain watch wearing politician who is behind this

 

perhaps behind the cover ups on koh tao as well . . . . . . . . .

Sorry but i think you are a little bit off with your comment..... A certain watch wearing politician, that is something he is not, he is just a clown.

[DJ54]

Does anyone on the forum have a brief on what the Basic rules of this law are? And it’s punishment? 

 

I’ve  shared numerous articles on FB here so people know/learn. 

Likr the Drivers License fines going up possibly. Information type 

posts.  

 

Are these forbidden to be shard as well? 

[HHTel]

Quote

The new CCA is also likely to increase censorship due to its ambiguity because of the broad grounds for offenses “likely to cause damage to the public” under article 14, including “false or partially false” data, “distorted or partially distorted” data, or data likely to “cause public panic” or harm “maintenance of national security, public safety, national economic security, public infrastructure serving the public interest.” Service providers such as social media platforms and access providers will also be required to delete or otherwise prevent the availability of such content following government notification, or they will also be subject to punishment for that content.

Quote

Section 14. If any person commits any offence of the following acts shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of not more than one hundred thousand baht or both:

1. that involves import to a computer system of forged computer data, either in whole or in part, or false computer data, in a manner that is likely to cause damage to that third party or the public;
2. that involves import to a computer system of false computer data in a manner that is likely to damage the country's security or cause a public panic;
3. that involves import to a computer system of any computer data related with an offence against the Kingdom's security under the Criminal Code;
4. that involves import to a computer system of any computer data of a pornographic nature that is publicly accessible;
5. that involves the dissemination or forwarding of computer data already known to be computer data under (1) (2) (3) or (4).

I would have interpreted this as sharing information knowing it to be false.  That is in dispute in this case.

[anon4637435435]

Omg i hope this is a real rape and that this women is lining her lawyers up with $ to back and all will be played out on an international stage. pls pls pls.....

 

one day!

 

these bib dont need to be envolved at all and there care shows how retched of humans they are. they dont know what happend but clearly the uk girl is crazy. nothing goes wrong at koa tao or thailand in general. surely...

[AGareth2]

8 hours ago, rkidlad said:

These kind of arrests leave you feeling that for the rich and powerful, their loss of face and/or money is the only real crime to be committed here. Everything else pales in comparison. 

there is only one crime in Thailand

that is to be poor

[Esso49]

1 minute ago, AGareth2 said:

there is only one crime in Thailand

that is to be poor

Or honest

[wotsdermatter]

In other countries the old adage, being ignorant of the law is no excuse.  The Thai version is, being ignorant of the law is an excuse.

 

'nuf sed

[jimmynewbie]

43 minutes ago, wotsdermatter said:

In other countries the old adage, being ignorant of the law is no excuse.  The Thai version is, being ignorant of the law is an excuse.

 

'nuf sed

They might go after people that 'like' or comment on it next, that would make you 'ignorant' of the law

 

[AlexRich]

As time passes I appreciate George Orwell more and more ... we really are in the world of Big Brother ... the truth is anything we, the authorities, declare it to be ... young kids sent to Kho Tao for a gas lighting session. 

 

Some people cheer on the likes of Trump and Brexit ... agenda laden populists gaslighting a populace with lies (dressed up as freedom) ... we’re repeating the 1930’s ... and this world is getting scarier by the day.

[AlexRich]

1 hour ago, wotsdermatter said:

In other countries the old adage, being ignorant of the law is no excuse.  The Thai version is, being ignorant of the law is an excuse.

 

'nuf sed

“Bad laws are the worst form of tyranny”

 

Edmund Burke

 

 

[Happy Grumpy]

I didn't press 'like'.

 

Just in case. 

[NCC1701A]

we are all next.

 

[SpaceKadet]

10 hours ago, HHTel said:

I would have interpreted this as sharing information knowing it to be false.  That is in dispute in this case.

The wording is so vague that I would interpret this as anything that those in power want it to be.

I particularly like (4).

[Thechook]

Sounds like the authorities are trying to cover up a crime or protect someone.  This type of action doesn't reflect well for the island

[Thechook]

On 8/30/2018 at 12:18 PM, lubfishin said:

You are a direct result of your parents and your environment. Your bad behavior reflects on your parents so everyone has a right to not just call you out but your whole family who was responsible for raising you. You have to learn this bad behavior from someone. You learn right from wrong from your parents correct? But I see the same s*** in every country and it's only getting worse. I believe it has to do with the change in society where spanking a kid is no longer acceptable. I got my ass beat so many times by my parents. I got my ass beat so many times by my principal. My Generation does not do this crap. It is these millennial New Breed people who don't understand consequences for their choices and decisions. They don't understand negative reinforcement. Rant over.