Prayut will find online democracy harder to kill [Editorial]

[webfact]

Prayut will find online democracy harder to kill

 

 

The PM has entered the world of social media, where equality and freedom rule

 

The prime minister’s decision to enter the social media fray is a transparent and cynical move aimed at boosting his popularity ahead of the election. It will likely backfire, since the medium might be new but the message remains the same. It also displays a calculating hypocrisy.

 

Like many older people, Prayut dismisses the power of social media. Just seven months ago, he said he was enlightened to “real happiness” after deciding to keep away from the online networks. This week he offered no clear explanation for why he suddenly decided to jump on the bandwagon. 

 

Prayut armed himself with personal accounts on Thailand’s most popular platforms – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – as well as a personal websites on Saturday. His Facebook quickly attracted 150,000 followers and 144,000 likes. 

 

But the majority of more than 10,000 comments were not so friendly. Fans, foes, as well as those who claimed they were rarely interested in politics, launched a barrage of criticism, satire, rebukes and even bullying on the page.

 

Prayut was called two-faced for banning other politicians from reaching out on social media while making full use of it himself. Many commenters demanded an elected and democratic prime minister and called on the general to step down to pave the way for a free and fair election. Typical was a post that lambasted the PM as a burden and deadweight on the nation.

 

His supporters and the military information apparatus responded by vigorously defending their beloved junta chief, urging him to stay in power as long as possible. But criticism continued to flood in, while pro-Prayut comments reduced to a trickle.

 

 Stung by a justified perception that this is a cynical and politically self-serving move, Prayut should reconsider his foray into social media.

 

First, the junta and its organs have banned other political parties and politicians from using social media for campaigning. Leaders around the world use the online platforms for political outreach; it is only fair that politicians be allowed to do the same.

 

Second, Prayut has previously made clear that he dislikes social media, which is also ill-suited to someone with such a short temper and intolerance of different opinions and criticism.

 

While Prayut made a pretence of open-mindedness on Monday by thanking netizens for suggestions posted to his Facebook page, a government official overseeing the page admitted that a lot of comments had been removed.

 

Third, Prayut and his crew insist they are not using government resources to manage his social media accounts and website, but his page administrator is Puttipong Punnakanta, deputy secretary-general to the premier and paid from the national budget. Prayut did not say he spent his own money for social media management.

 

Fourth and most importantly, the junta has used the draconian Computer Crimes Act as a powerful weapon to restrict people’s freedom of expression. Under the junta, netizens have been prosecuted merely for posting dissenting opinions in the social media. Now, Prayut is a user but has all the power. The general has a duty to prove that he will play by the rules. He is, of course, free to block or “unfriend” anyone who annoys him. But can we know for sure these persons won’t be traced and prosecuted later?

 

We welcome the general to the new world of social media – but only if he leaves his guns at the door. All netizens are equal. They have only brains, hands and a keyboard. Different political ideas are tolerated and even encouraged, but everybody must play fair. If Prayut can’t abide by those simple democratic rules, he should log off now.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30356580

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-17

[Samui Bodoh]

"...Prayut and his crew insist they are not using government resources to manage his social media accounts and website, but his page administrator is Puttipong Punnakanta, deputy secretary-general to the premier and paid from the national budget. Prayut did not say he spent his own money for social media management..."

 

Of course he is not using his own time or money for this; this is a government freebee that he has "earned".

 

Does anyone believe that he even knows how to log on? Does anyone believe that he even knows his own password? 

 

Anyone?

 

Anyone?

 

 

[a977]

The opinion writer got it right Pinocchio should LOG off and return straight back to the barracks along with the rest of the military. Oops ! forgot he now retired from army, so why the hell do they keep calling him General

[zzaa09]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Prayut and his crew insist they are not using government resources to manage his social media accounts and website, but his page administrator is Puttipong Punnakanta, deputy secretary-general to the premier and paid from the national budget. Prayut did not say he spent his own money for social media management..."

 

Of course he is not using his own time or money for this; this is a government freebee that he has "earned".

 

Does anyone believe that he even knows how to log on? Does anyone believe that he even knows his own password? 

 

Anyone?

 

Anyone?

 

 

I'm sure his techy staff are quite busy these days.

 

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

His supporters and the military information apparatus responded by vigorously defending their beloved junta chief, urging him to stay in power as long as possible. But criticism continued to flood in, while pro-Prayut comments reduced to a trickle.

He took power from the people.  The job is well beyond his abilities and temperament.  He is performing poorly.  Perhaps the Internet will show that he is only liked by a few less than nimble minded sycophants.  He needs to go for the good of the country.

[holy cow cm]

My kids are having a great time reading the negative comments on El Fathead’s FB pages. Let the THAI people have a field day on him. 

[Thailand]

There may be a reluctance for local Thai's to partake in making their feelings known wary ft he knock on the door in the middle of the night but those based overseas and the international media could have a field day.

Likely to have the  opposite effect to what he may have been hoping for.

[Hayduke]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut will find online democracy harder to kill

 

It won’t be long (if it hasn’t happened already) before government IT elves will be furiously manipulating/hacking this media in a shameless attempt to present Uncle as a much loved and admired hero of the people.

 

 

 

[JAG]

It's a real problem for the poor souls isn't it? They own/control/can shut down conventional print and broadcast media, but this pesky social media...

 

Closing it down would be the one thing that would destroy what vestiges of credibility or popular support that they regime still has. Get involved, go online, and you get your fingers burnt. What's a simple junta leader, whose only ambition is to return happiness to his people, to do?

 

 

[bluesofa]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The prime minister’s decision to enter the social media fray is a transparent and cynical move aimed at boosting his popularity ahead of the election.

Shurely shome mishtake?

 

[Oziex1]

Won't be long before his account is shut down with claims of people spreading fake news to cause confusion among the people.

[bluesofa]

2 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

Won't be long before his account is shut down with claims of people spreading fake news to cause confusion among the people.

Doesn't that mean he'll appear to disappear up his own...

 

[TKDfella]

"Fourth and most importantly, the junta has used the draconian Computer Crimes Act as a powerful weapon to restrict people’s freedom of expression. Under the junta, netizens have been prosecuted merely for posting dissenting opinions in the social media. Now, Prayut is a user but has all the power. The general has a duty to prove that he will play by the rules. He is, of course, free to block or “unfriend” anyone who annoys him. But can we know for sure these persons won’t be traced and prosecuted later?'

I read this morning that the Pm has given the go-ahead for a new third generation cyber security and surveillance law. The supposition is that if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear. Critics say that it will give the government complete power without obtaining a court order first. Although I think this is probably going to used on the the larger social media outlets it would mean that even forums like this one, theoretically at least, could be investigated and/or closed down. It would be interesting to know what TV moderators and admin think about this as I'm sure they are aware of this too. (Probably put it on the forum later as item for discussion.)

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Does anyone believe that he even knows his own password? 

"Prayuth?"

Isn't that now the supreme password for everything in Thailand?

[robblok]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

It's a real problem for the poor souls isn't it? They own/control/can shut down conventional print and broadcast media, but this pesky social media...

 

Closing it down would be the one thing that would destroy what vestiges of credibility or popular support that they regime still has. Get involved, go online, and you get your fingers burnt. What's a simple junta leader, whose only ambition is to return happiness to his people, to do?

 

 

What he is to do is sign a suicide pact with Thaksin and both act on it. Instant happiness on both sides. ????

[bkkgriz]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The PM has entered the world of social media, where equality and freedom rule

 

Unless you have the wrong politics. Then you will be banned, blocked or depersoned. Must not commit the crime of wrong think.

[DrTuner]

Chinese have been semi-successful in killing social media. Just a matter of time before the Northern Masters show their colony how it's done.

[the guest]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

The PM has entered the world of social media, where equality and freedom rule

Not in Thailand, these values do not exist!

[Eric Loh]

I was told that Prayut was stung and overwhelmed by the avalanche of criticisms and felt he let down the country and decide to resign from his post as PM and head of NCPO. I was only joking. Still I felt good hoping it will turn out this way. ????

[HAKAPALITA]

Social Media reminds me of Big Brother. Im so happy ive never met 90% them.

[zzaa09]

4 hours ago, bkkgriz said:

Unless you have the wrong politics. Then you will be banned, blocked or depersoned. Must not commit the crime of wrong think.

Yep.

Reality doesn't come cheap. 

[zzaa09]

3 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Chinese have been semi-successful in killing social media. Just a matter of time before the Northern Masters show their colony how it's done.

In theory, they've [Chinese] been attempting assistance for some time now - according to the Thai overlords. 

 

In practice, nothing's come of it and shouldn't expect any such new repressive developments. 

 

Just the usual talk from the usual crowd.

 

[PatOngo]

12 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

I'm sure his techy staff are quite busy these days.

 

Rumour has it they've deleted his LIKE function and replaced it with a WORSHIP function on his FB acc.

[jimmynewbie]

14 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Prayut and his crew insist they are not using government resources to manage his social media accounts and website, but his page administrator is Puttipong Punnakanta, deputy secretary-general to the premier and paid from the national budget. Prayut did not say he spent his own money for social media management..."

 

Of course he is not using his own time or money for this; this is a government freebee that he has "earned".

 

Does anyone believe that he even knows how to log on? Does anyone believe that he even knows his own password? 

 

Anyone?

 

Anyone?

 

 

haha at a guess i would try passport, 12345678, Prayutofficial etc...

[jimmynewbie]

11 hours ago, Thailand said:

There may be a reluctance for local Thai's to partake in making their feelings known wary ft he knock on the door in the middle of the night but those based overseas and the international media could have a field day.

Likely to have the  opposite effect to what he may have been hoping for.

I take it you have not looked at the FB page?

100,000's of anti Prayut, Army, Police comments. Most are aimed at him and call him the word banned on thaivisa lol

[jimmynewbie]

14 hours ago, a977 said:

The opinion writer got it right Pinocchio should LOG off and return straight back to the barracks along with the rest of the military. Oops ! forgot he now retired from army, so why the hell do they keep calling him General

The Thais are saying the same and worse

[zzaa09]

15 minutes ago, jimmynewbie said:

I take it you have not looked at the FB page?

100,000's of anti Prayut, Army, Police comments. Most are aimed at him and call him the word banned on thaivisa lol

Quite astounding as to the overwhelming critiques that ply that page.

 

An amusing read, to say the least.

 

????

[jimmynewbie]

4 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

Quite astounding as to the overwhelming critiques that ply that page.

 

An amusing read, to say the least.

 

????

Shame all of them do not go to the streets and get rid of him for good, he does not have the backing he had 4 years ago.........

[JAG]

5 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Chinese have been semi-successful in killing social media. Just a matter of time before the Northern Masters show their colony how it's done.

The Chinese got in at the beginning, so most of their people don't know what they're missing. The dinosaurs running the show here are waking up to this phenomena, but it is well entrenched ( near universal participation by all under 30 I suggest) and therefore they aren't going to dare squashing it, unless or until they are sure that they can control the inevitable rumpus. They couldn't, and they realise that.

[TKDfella]

On 10/17/2018 at 9:23 AM, TKDfella said:

"Fourth and most importantly, the junta has used the draconian Computer Crimes Act as a powerful weapon to restrict people’s freedom of expression. Under the junta, netizens have been prosecuted merely for posting dissenting opinions in the social media. Now, Prayut is a user but has all the power. The general has a duty to prove that he will play by the rules. He is, of course, free to block or “unfriend” anyone who annoys him. But can we know for sure these persons won’t be traced and prosecuted later?'

I read this morning that the Pm has given the go-ahead for a new third generation cyber security and surveillance law. The supposition is that if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear. Critics say that it will give the government complete power without obtaining a court order first. Although I think this is probably going to used on the the larger social media outlets it would mean that even forums like this one, theoretically at least, could be investigated and/or closed down. It would be interesting to know what TV moderators and admin think about this as I'm sure they are aware of this too. (Probably put it on the forum later as item for discussion.)

I note today that today the news is that there was so much criticism the the PM has ordered a 'pulling back' and further investigation. Talk about a 'pendulum government'.