Govt move to restrict freedom of information is a mandate for corruption, critics warn

[Jonathan Fairfield]

 

Proposed amendments to the Official Information Act are aimed at protecting state secrets, contrary to the law’s original goal of securing the public’s right to access government data, critics warn. 

 

The draft amendments would prohibit the disclosure of any official information deemed potentially damaging to the monarchy or its security. They also cover information on military affairs and national security, among others.

 

The prohibitions are listed in an added chapter titled “Information Prohibited from Disclosure”.

 

Full  story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/govt-moves-to-restrict-freedom-of-information-is-a-mandate-for-corruption-critics-warn/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-05-30

 

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[kynikoi]

10 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

protecting state secrets

 

These are not *state secrets*.  Rather, it's about information regarding the general functions of government the people in power do not want the citizenry to know. There's a huge difference.

 

Spiraling ever downward.

[Misterwhisper]

If there is nothing to hide and everything were transparent and "kosher", there would be no need for such an amendment. Hence, there can be only one conclusion. 

[Rampant Rabbit]

39 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

damaging to the monarchy or its security

Same  old  <deleted>, start here with the "Change  Thailand for the Better" campaign,  how  about that TAT for a  slogan.

[Hayduke]

In an open letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, ACT warned that preventing transparent disclosure of official information would undermine his government’s policy of fighting corruption.

 

 

Can't have anything undermining the government's policy of fighting corruption....now can we?

 

 

 

[mtls2005]

Just part of the junta's 20 year plan.

 

1 hour ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

any official information deemed potentially damaging

 

Yep. Let's leave up to the "deemers", that seems like a great idea.

 

 

 

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

There was a very funny (satirical) TV programme in the UK in the early 1980s called "Yes Minister".

 

In it Bernard Woolley (The Ministers Private Secretary - a Civil Sevice appointment) made the following observation on the (UK) Official Secrets Act and its application: 
"That's one of those irregular verbs, isn't it? I give confidential security briefings. You leak. He has been charged under section 2a of the Official Secrets Act."

 

Even in a comparatively free liberal democracy, with independent courts and other checks and balances "The Official Secrets Act" is the most abused of laws. 

Edited May 30, 2021 by herfiehandbag

[connda]

1 hour ago, kynikoi said:

 

These are not *state secrets*.  Rather, it's about information regarding the general functions of government the people in power do not want the citizenry to know. There's a huge difference.

 

Spiraling ever downward.

In general, governments don't become more transparent over time, but just the opposite.  They become more opaque as power is consolidated and leaders become less and less accountable.  All kinds of mischief can be hidden behind the pretense of "national security."

[meechai]

We sold our condo in 2016 & just kept the house in country then moved away from Thailand

We visit yearly & stay a month or three (except of course during this whole C19 mess)

 

The reason we left is in 2016 was the Junta had been in control for two years & it looked & felt different than previous coups

Some surely would call it an over reaction to move away but we felt as we still do that to stay would have been indirect support of them thru taxes etc etc

 

Yes they did not affect us directly but look what they have done to the country since. It is not getting better but worse & worse

 

Anyway.......As they say...The people always get the government they deserve ( We as expats have no say in that it is not our country)

I do not see this as changing anytime soon.

Edited May 30, 2021 by meechai

[BritManToo]

I'm surprised the Thai's have any 'state secrets'.

They've never invented anything, their army is only good for a bit of gardening in a general's private home.

 

What's there to protect?

[Excel]

20 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm surprised the Thai's have any 'state secrets'.

They've never invented anything, their army is only good for a bit of gardening in a general's private home.

 

What's there to protect?

Their offshore bank account details in tax havens of course

[Antonymous]

Retrograde, regressive retards.

 

If this law is enacted it will strengthen the junta and enable and sanction further abuse of power.

[holy cow cm]

Sounds like something straight out of Xi's 101 communist's handbook to control, imprison, attitude adjust, blindfold and dupe all from the release of propaganda distorting the real truth in order to get the outcome they want. Nothing good can come from this as looks to be a sure sign of loss of freedoms and a boost of power for the junta and elite. With technology being implemented they will have the upper hand on all information on everyone if we don't watch out and be more careful. If I was an international business or corporation thinking about setting up shop here, I would now be seriously thinking of doing an about face and going elsewhere. The walls will have ears everywhere. Just saying.. Go and read about how the Chinese built the African Unions HQ and what their people by luck discovered late night one night. Ofcourse you can believe it or not, but from what is suggested by this Thai bill which has already passed hand down by the Cabinet, things look a bit bleak for the future here.

[ukrules]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

What's there to protect?

 

The 'truth' absolutely must not come out.

 

They seem to be failing to account for the actions of future governments which will take great delight in exposing anything that makes any previous administrationa look real bad, up to and including making them fugitives.

This is the future for Thailand, one government persecutes the previous.

 

Sit back and watch as they destroy each other over the decades, it will be mildly amusing.

 

[RichardColeman]

Does this apply to asking pool installers who had a new one put in recently ? 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The draft amendments would prohibit the disclosure of any official information deemed potentially damaging to the monarchy or its security. They also cover information on military affairs and national security, among others.

Strengthening the walls surrounding the military leader and friends.

Transparency is not on the agenda.

[khunjeff]

"Govt move to restrict freedom of information is a mandate for corruption"

 

That's not a bug, it's a feature

 

[digger70]

Govt move to restrict freedom of information is a mandate for corruption, critics warn.

 

Of course they going to restrict  the freedom of information act .

They've got Too much corruption going on that they don't want  the Public to know.

 

[kynikoi]

The Thai bureaucracy starting to remind me of the movie Brazil.

[Tingtong69]

To hide their dealings with China during pandemic

After this is over and Prayut is safely retired with a Putin style clause to protect him, we might find China owns quite alot of Thai infrastructure

[mrfill]

28 minutes ago, Tingtong69 said:

To hide their dealings with China during pandemic

After this is over and Prayut is safely retired with a Putin style clause to protect him, we might find China owns quite alot of Thai infrastructure

 

That's been the case for many years. Nothing to do with virus.

[Deli]

10 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I'm surprised the Thai's have any 'state secrets'.

They've never invented anything, their army is only good for a bit of gardening in a general's private home.

 

What's there to protect?

 

The secret Somtam recipes.

[Andycoops]

Corruption is endemic and is rife everywhere already and under the army Muppets has only got worse despite the current Czar saying he would stamp it out 7years ago before realising he wouldn't last long if the status quo changed.

[colinneil]

25 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

Corruption is endemic and is rife everywhere already and under the army Muppets has only got worse despite the current Czar saying he would stamp it out 7years ago before realising he wouldn't last long if the status quo changed.

Good heavens, shocked i am , shocked by your post.

The poor ole Czar is trying, ..........yes........ he is very trying.

Corruption within his government? Never every member of his government are 100 per cent honest.????????????????????

Yes anybody believing that nonsense, is living in LA LA land, just like the Czar.

[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The draft amendments would prohibit the disclosure of any official information deemed potentially damaging to the monarchy or its security. They also cover information on military affairs and national security, among others.

It wouldn't make much difference to the public as any challenge made against the government is met with false claims of deformation. Information disclosures are not made available to courts to challenge them.

 

[brianthainess]

I would like to report the following corruption...

         Or I'll sue you

[lavender19]

Like the almighty one is always reminding everyone. If you have done nothing wrong . You have nothing to worry about . Do as I say. Not as I do . Getting closer and closer to living in a communist state day by day. Oh hang on they vaccinate their people