Avoid sexy or alcohol-filled social-media content on social over Songkran on pain of jail time, warn police

By THE NATION

 

 

NO PHOTOS, video clips of live broadcasts of nudity, lewd acts or inviting consumption of alcohol should be published on Thai social media during Songkran, people are being warned.
 

Such actions are illegal and punishable with a fine and/or a jail term, the police said yesterday on the eve of the annual festival known for its fun-filled parties and water fights.

 

Pol Colonel Siriwat Deepor, the spokesman and deputy commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), said that previous Songkran festivals often saw inappropriate photos of young women and ladyboys posted on Thai social media. He urged revellers to mark the Thai traditional New Year with polite cultural activities and refrain from any risky behaviour that could lead to violations of the Computer Act and related laws.

 

Siriwat explained that if pictures or video clips of Songkran revellers wearing “sexually-provocative clothing” were posted online, those posting or sharing them could be charged with violating the Computer Act and subjected to a maximum five-year jail term and/or a maximum Bt100,000 fine. Those captured by photographs or video clips could be charged with performing a shameful act in public by indecently exposing themselves or committing other indecent acts under the Criminal Code’s Section 388, which carries a maximum fine of Bt500.

 

Social media posts inviting others to drink alcohol was also subject to a maximum one-year jail term and a maximum Bt500,000 fine, as per the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, he noted.

 

Other indecent posts or live streaming deemed against society’s good morality and the law could also face legal action, Siriwat added.

 

TCSD commander Pol Maj-General Paiboon Noihoon also instructed officers to monitor Thai social media closely during Songkran in order to speedily investigate potential violations and prevent other viewers, especially youngsters, from copying indecent behaviour and to ensure the Songkran festival was properly celebrated according to the Thai tradition and culture.

 

“Be warned that TCSD officers are able to probe and to trace [postings] back to the culprits to face prosecutions, and the suspects cannot claim to not know the law or their action’s consequences or not having an illegal intention,” Paiboon said.

 

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Sutthipong Wongpin clarified that the ban on having alcohol drinks in moving vehicles did not prohibit drivers from giving a ride to drunken passengers.

 

“The law will see the presence of alcoholic drinks on-board the vehicle as incriminating evidence,” he warned, citing that it indicated that alcohol had been consumed behind the wheel and that both the driver and passengers could be held accountable for violating the ban. He also urged revellers to avoid driving after drinking to avoid a serious punishment in the event that they caused a fatal crash. 

 

Sutthipong made the comment after presiding over a meeting at the bureau of 200 policemen of deputy-superintendent and inspector ranks. They discussed security measures to be implemented at various Bangkok venues during the April 12-16 festivities, and plans to ensure traffic flowed smoothly on main roads and near transport hubs. 

 

Sutthipong also said that, as per usual practice, city police would not take time off over Songkran as the public needed them to be on duty.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30367498

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-11

Oh well, i better stick to those Japanese porno sites instead of face book over songkran.

But they seem to mess my glasses up a little bit.  

 

Edited April 10, 20197 yr by stanleycoin

Pattaya is for families with children only.????

What to say ? Nudity is also banned on social media in Europe and depending on what kind of boum boum you post, it can get you into trouble with the local Boys in Blue !!  Same for any commercials either on TV or public space, related to alcohol - banned by law.

 

Far from wanting to make an apologia of this issue, maybe the authorities in Thailand are aware of the excess and abuse of booze and the consequences during Songkarn when people do go mad. If I may ... IMHO.

Edited April 10, 20197 yr by observer90210

1 hour ago, stanleycoin said:

Oh well, i better stick to those Japanese porno sites instead of face book over songkran.

There were some good links on the older bkk immigration website a couple of days ago. 

Normally Thais don't take no notice of these warnings I just wish people don't drink and drive 

A thousand people die on the roads during Songkran and they're worried about a few boobies and beer on facebook over 4 days...hmmm.

Edited April 11, 20197 yr by frozenpuck

Some troll posts have been removed. 

2 hours ago, observer90210 said:

What to say ? Nudity is also banned on social media in Europe and depending on what kind of boum boum you post, it can get you into trouble with the local Boys in Blue !!  Same for any commercials either on TV or public space, related to alcohol - banned by law.

 

Far from wanting to make an apologia of this issue, maybe the authorities in Thailand are aware of the excess and abuse of booze and the consequences during Songkarn when people do go mad. If I may ... IMHO.

This may be the case but "sexually provocative clothing"? I suspect the definition of which will be down to the individual BiB

And we are not talking adverts for booze here a t shirt with an alcoholic beverage printed on it is said to be enough to contravene the laws.

Maybe it is nothing to do with the excess and abuse of booze

3 hours ago, mike787 said:

Pattaya is for families with children only.????

???????????

57 minutes ago, frozenpuck said:

A thousand people die on the roads during Songkran and they're worried about a few boobies and beer on facebook over 4 days...hmmm.

they have to get their priorites correct !!!

18 minutes ago, alant said:

This may be the case but "sexually provocative clothing"? I suspect the definition of which will be down to the individual BiB

And we are not talking adverts for booze here a t shirt with an alcoholic beverage printed on it is said to be enough to contravene the laws.

Maybe it is nothing to do with the excess and abuse of booze

Well in that case if we are not talking adverts here, but rather of "real" people posting pics of their  boobs, that can be worse and set fire even more rapidly. Obviously you do not agree with my initial post but thanks for your very diplomatic way in saying that????. happy Songkran.

Edited April 11, 20197 yr by observer90210

The disconnect between the government/elites and the general population is absolutely staggering. Let women have fun and if they want to get their jellies out, then so be it!

Lucky the Pol-Col stopped short of hacking off offending body parts for such heinous crimes settling on 100-500,000 fine and 1-5 years in jail all perfectly normal enjoy????

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Songkran revellers wearing “sexually-provocative clothing”

Is nudity then acceptable? No clothes involved!

1 hour ago, frozenpuck said:

A thousand people die on the roads during Songkran and they're worried about a few boobies and beer on facebook over 4 days...hmmm.

Quite so.

I wonder how many man-hours of police time will be spent on checking social media, and then wondering if all those hours might better be spent on upholding traffic laws.

Their country, their rules.

I promise to avoid sexy drinks during Songkran .

My wife wont allow them in the house  ????

5 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Lucky the Pol-Col stopped short of hacking off offending body parts for such heinous crimes settling on 100-500,000 fine and 1-5 years in jail all perfectly normal enjoy????

It's ironic that this announcement comes across as rather progressive and liberal after the recent law changes in Brunei.

Another threat of jail for something completely harmless by the anti-fun brigade.

I guess sitting in an air con room, and searching for boobs on facebook, is better that out in the hot sun, on traffic patrol.

I am always nude, under my clothes.

 

If the photos highlighting the story are anything to go by then this warning only applies to foreigners.

Two years ago before Songkran PM Prayut warned Thai women and ladyboys not to behave provocatively by following "western culture values". Those evil, raunchy foreign ladies leading pure and innocent Thai ladies astray during Songkran.......shocking!

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/908345-dress-inappropriately-or-dance-provocatively-and-face-songkran-arrest-warns-pm/

 

Do Thai's not understand what hypocrisy means? 
Tons of deaths on the roads each year, especially during Songrkran, and all they worry about is a few half nude photos and beer. Talk about getting their priorities straight... 

it is so nice to see that some elite decide what people can say, see, show and think

 

welcome to banana republic

Who needs FB for boobies and booze during Songkran? Just go out on the streets and have your "live" fill.

28 minutes ago, monkeycu said:

I promise to avoid sexy drinks during Songkran .

My wife wont allow them in the house  ????

What, a bit like this pair. 

Reads..... should be published????

Surely more morally corrupting than bare titties are the water-pistols that purport to be AK47s or some such invitation to violence..

Just now, frozenpuck said:

A thousand people die on the roads during Songkran and they're worried about a few boobies and beer on facebook over 4 days...hmmm.

 

Just now, essox essox said:

they have to get their priorites correct !!!

Yep, they care to prevent a few from going blind.......