Human Rights Watch Slams Thailand For Policing Internet

[Jai Dee]

Human Rights Watch Slams Thailand For Policing Internet

Thailand's military-backed government is undermining free political debate and delaying the return to democracy by barring access to many political websites, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday.

The New York-based HRW said that since the current military-installed government came to power after the Sept 2006 coup against prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Thai authorities had been active in silencing cyber critics and dissidents.

"A major complaint about Thaksin was his muzzling of the media and willingness to limit free speech. The military-backed government promised a quick return to democracy, but it's now attacking freedom of expression and political pluralism in ways that Thaksin never dared," Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW, said in a statement.

He said this was in stark contradiction to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's pledges to create an atmosphere conducive to democratisation and political reform.

The HRW said censorship of the internet was now being carried out by the Information and Communications Technology Ministry and the police in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Thailand and the Telecommunication Authority, which provide Thailand's international Internet gateways.

Since the coup, the ministry has employed "around-the-clock watchers" to monitor content on the Internet to find information considered to be offending the monarchy (a criminal offence in Thailand punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment), threatening national security, disrupting public order, or being obscene.

The HRW said that based on this continuous surveillance, officials from the minisrtry and the police had distributed names of websites, both domestic and foreign, to government and private Internet service providers (ISPs), telling the ISPs to block access to blacklisted websites.

Many of the blocked websites were established in opposition to the Sept 19 coup and the subsequent role of the military in Thai politics, it said.

Adams said the military and government were clearly worried that Thaksin might return to power and were engaging in censorship to stop this.

Source: Bernama - 25 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thailand: Military-Backed Government Censors Internet

Thailand's military-backed government is undermining free political debate and delaying the return to democracy by barring access to many political websites, Human Rights Watch said today. Since the current government came to power after a September 2006 coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai authorities have been active in silencing cyber critics and dissidents. This is in stark contradiction to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's pledges to create an atmosphere conducive to democratization and political reform.

"A major complaint about Thaksin was his muzzling of the media and willingness to limit free speech," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The military-backed government promised a quick return to democracy, but it's now attacking freedom of expression and political pluralism in ways that Thaksin never dared."

Censorship of the internet is now being carried out by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MICT) and the Royal Thai Police, in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) and the Telecommunication Authority (TOT), which provide Thailand's international internet gateways. Since the coup, the MICT has employed around-the-clock "watchers" to monitor content on the internet to find information considered to be offending the monarchy (a criminal offense in Thailand punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment), threatening national security, disrupting public order, or being obscene.

Based on this continuous surveillance, officials from the MICT and the Royal Thai Police have distributed names of websites, both domestic and foreign, to government and private internet service providers (ISPs), telling the ISPs to block access to blacklisted websites.

Many of the blocked websites were established in opposition to the September 19, 2006 coup and the subsequent role of the military in Thai politics. Websites blocked include the September 19 Network (www.19sep.net and www.19sep.org) and websites known to be supportive of Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party, such as the online telecast of PTV television (www.ptvthai.com), the online broadcast of Saturday Voice (www.saturdaylive.org and saturdayvoice.no-ip.info) and the online broadcast of FM 87.75 Taxi Community Radio (www.shinawatradio.com). Hosts of popular political blogs used among cyber critics and dissidents, such as BlogSpot (www.blogspot.com), have also been blocked by some ISPs.

Internet users attempting to access blocked websites encounter either an "Access Denied" message, are redirected to the MICT website, or receive a notice with the MICT's logo saying that access to such websites has been blocked due to "inappropriate content" (w3.mict.go.th/ci/blocked.hrml).

The MICT has also blocked anonymous proxy servers through which Thai internet users can access a blocked webpage. The ministry has requested Google Thailand (www.google.co.th) and Google.com to block access to its cached web pages in Thailand by which blocked pages can be accessed, as well as to block by keyword search.

In addition, Thai authorities are monitoring critical opinions and debates on popular opinion boards of Prachathai (www.prachathai.com) and Pabtip.Com (www.pantip.com). They have issued warnings to both websites that they, too, would be shut down if they failed to remove opinions critical of the military junta.

"The military and government are clearly worried that Thaksin may return to power and are engaging in censorship to stop this," said Adams. "But instead of resorting to draconian restrictions on free speech, the Thai authorities need to realize that their promised return to democracy requires opening the political process."

The coup leaders, now known as the Council for National Security (CNS), made their intentions to control the internet known soon after the coup by issuing Order Number 5/2549, which authorized the MICT to shut down internet sites for posting inaccurate content and material deemed to be harming government reform efforts.

On September 29, 2006, access to a leading non-formal education center, the Midnight University website (www.midnightuniv.org) ? which recorded more than half a million visitors per month from all over the world, thousands of articles and discussion boards ? was temporarily blocked after its staff held a protest against the coup. Access to the Midnight University website was possible again only after its staff obtained a temporary restraining order from the Administrative Court ordering the MICT to unblock their website.

On November 15, 2006, the government introduced a draft law to criminalize the generation, possession, storage, dissemination of and access to prohibited information on the internet. The Bill on Computer-Related Offenses passed its first reading on the same date. On May 9, 2007, the legislation was quickly passed in the second and third readings by an overwhelming 119-1 vote by members of the National Legislative Assembly. The law provides broad powers to officials appointed by the MICT minister to intercept and seize computer data, and seek court warrants to block the dissemination of information on the internet if such information is considered as a threat to national security according to the Penal Code. The law carries harsh penalties for those found guilty of offenses, including a penalty of up to five years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht (US$2,700). Lawyers, internet and media professionals, and bloggers fear that in a tense political environment, these provisions could easily be misused by the authorities against political opponents and critics of military rule.

Human Rights Watch said that freedom of expression and pluralism, including tolerance of dissenting views, is vital if Thailand wants to be a rights-respecting democracy. Active exchanges of peaceful ideas and opinions should be encouraged, not punished.

"Freedom of expression, including offering opinions on the internet, is an essential basis of any functioning democracy," Adams said. "Blocking critical websites resembles the behavior of China and Vietnam. Is this the company that Thailand's leaders want to keep?"

Source: Reuters - 25 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

Web censorship draws rising global concern

Human Rights Watch has joined local and international ''netizens'' in criticising the interim government's censorship of the internet, saying the move has undermined free political debate and delayed the return to democracy. The New York-based Human Rights Watch yesterday issued a statement critical of the Thai authorities who have been active in silencing cyber critics and dissidents, in stark contradiction of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's pledges to create an atmosphere conducive to democratisation and political reform.

''A major complaint about Thaksin [shinawatra] was his muzzling of the media and willingness to limit free speech,'' said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. ''The military-backed government promised a quick return to democracy, but it's now attacking freedom of expression and political pluralism in ways that Thaksin never dared.''

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[Mid]

"A major complaint about Thaksin was his muzzling of the media and willingness to limit free speech. The military-backed government promised a quick return to democracy, but it's now attacking freedom of expression and political pluralism in ways that Thaksin never dared," Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW, said in a statement.

worth repeating ..................

[Steely Dan]

Can you still access the HRW website and amnesty international's for that matter without using an anonymous proxy?

[astral]

Has anyone compared Thailand today with Burma??

Or is that too extreme?

[Johpa]

Has anyone compared Thailand today with Burma??

Or is that too extreme?

I belive it was either here at TV or a post at NM that referred to the Myanmarization of Thailand.

[lazeeboy]

Has anyone compared Thailand today with Burma??

Or is that too extreme?

I belive it was either here at TV or a post at NM that referred to the Myanmarization of Thailand.

not there yet but give it time maybe the new name for thailand could be tiedland

[BigA]

It sounds like the Thai leadership is ripping a few pages out of some other authoritarian regimes.

China and Vietnam seems to be who they are modeling themselves after with regard to censorship.

I would imagine human rights watch either is banned in Thailand or will soon be.

Thailand could be the next Myanmar, what a shame. I think the whole SE area is being earmarked for Chinese domination.

[PJRay]

"A major complaint about Thaksin was his muzzling of the media and willingness to limit free speech. The military-backed government promised a quick return to democracy, but it's now attacking freedom of expression and political pluralism in ways that Thaksin never dared," Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW, said in a statement.

worth repeating ..................

The hypocrisy of this junta is absolutely mind-boggling...

[John K]

Although I am no fan of censorship, I can understand the underlying reason for what is going on in Thailand. Before I weigh in on this topic there are a few things to consider.

First on May 30 the primary reason for censorship will have expired. Depending on what happens in the next 10 days after that decision will set my opinion to wait or oppose.

I also have to at least consider the fact that this thread may have been somehow influenced by Thaksin and his hired PR team to make the Junta look worse. After all that is their job.

[Prakanong]

Although I am no fan of censorship, I can understand the underlying reason for what is going on in Thailand. Before I weigh in on this topic there are a few things to consider.

First on May 30 the primary reason for censorship will have expired. Depending on what happens in the next 10 days after that decision will set my opinion to wait or oppose.

I also have to at least consider the fact that this thread may have been somehow influenced by Thaksin and his hired PR team to make the Junta look worse. After all that is their job.

ROFLMAO - you are paranoid matey

Thaksin has sacked his PR team weeks ago and I do not think HRW are the type of org to listen to Thaksin - they have been pretty damning about him in the past.

[blaze]

I also have to at least consider the fact that this thread may have been somehow influenced by Thaksin and his hired PR team to make the Junta look worse. After all that is their job.

Please explain this statement.

[stumonster]

Has anyone compared Thailand today with Burma??

Or is that too extreme?

I would say "too extreme" - when access to the internet in thailand is only via public internet machines which take snapshots every 5 minutes , then your comparison might be valid.

China itself , with its " golden shield " , blocks a large array of websites in what seems to be an arbitrary manner. the BBC , Wikipedia , the Melbourne Age are blocked and many other news websites are on/off .

But I think the Chinese government is coming to the realisation that as it's citizens become more "net savvy" it is wasting its money. If I find a website is not loading in China I just open a PHP based proxy I run on a website, drop in the address and then I get served the page.

It is now too late to attempt to put the toothpaste back into the tube - the days of controlling information are nearly over - it will see in increase in propaganda and marketing in an attempt to regain lost ground.

[Prakanong]

I also have to at least consider the fact that this thread may have been somehow influenced by Thaksin and his hired PR team to make the Junta look worse. After all that is their job.

Please explain this statement.

ROFL - its an acrobatic mind is that one

Perhaps he will consult Dean Barrett, Stickman and Dave the Rave for advice!

[stumonster]

a recent Atimes article

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Asian_Economy/IE16Dk01.html

A relative newcomer to the Internet-suppressing nations of Asia is Thailand. With more than 40,000 websites blocked, the majority in the past six months, it is evident that the Thai authorities are looking to their neighbors for the way forward in controlling what people look at when they go online. Initially, Internet censorship in Thailand targeted adult websites and pornography, but in a rapidly increasing trend since the coup last September 19, more and more websites critical of the junta, the monarchy or the Buddhist religion have disappeared from public view within the kingdom.

By last October, the Thai Ministry of Information and Communication Technology had blocked 2,475 websites; by January 11 this number had risen to 13,435, a jump of more than 400%. According to the Freedom Against Censorship Thailand group, "2007 may well be the 21st century's '1984' in Thailand", as the MICT has been granted a budget of more than US$100 million for Internet censorship and control.

a waste of money.

[baboon]

HRW has spoken!! Bet The Powers That Be are bricking it at this very moment.

[dominique355]

Although I am no fan of censorship, I can understand the underlying reason for what is going on in Thailand. Before I weigh in on this topic there are a few things to consider.

First on May 30 the primary reason for censorship will have expired. Depending on what happens in the next 10 days after that decision will set my opinion to wait or oppose.

I also have to at least consider the fact that this thread may have been somehow influenced by Thaksin and his hired PR team to make the Junta look worse. After all that is their job.

Would it be conceivable that one is against the present military dictatorship and at the same time against Thaksin? Such as people who want a real democracy with all civil rights guaranteed, including freedom of speech.

You can say many things about Thaksin (and most seem to be true, although we are still waiting for positive evidence from the present government), but at least he was elected by the Thai people. I never liked him from the very first time and I had many heated debates with Thais over his abuse of power and his basic inability to accept a plurality of opinions. But he understood that the image Thailand has in the world out there is crucial for the economic development of the country, something the present government has totally failed to understand. Censorship is one of its major blunders.

[John K]

I also have to at least consider the fact that this thread may have been somehow influenced by Thaksin and his hired PR team to make the Junta look worse. After all that is their job.

Please explain this statement.

Well as I said I don’t want to place my hat in the ring just yet. However to answer your question I saw a post by Tony Clifton that reminded of that fact. Yes Thaksin ended the relationship with his PR team, or was it the other way around? They certainly lost some face when trying to represent him or should I say dance with the devil. However even that they were gone several weeks ago the work they does not always happen in real time. Certainly the HR group named in the op’s post did not come to their conclusion during lunch at a New York Deli. Time needs to be spent doing research and verifying facts. How much time I can’t say but certainly to do a proper job more than a week.

What I am suggesting is that Thaksin’s PR team pointed out what was going on with the censorship and sent that observation along with their own spin on it.

As it is a bit of a two team battle Thaksin and the Junta, you can win by adding to your own points or take points away from your opponent.

So as I said I will wait until around June 10 or so before I enter my view on this issue.

[ColPyat]

What I am suggesting is that Thaksin’s PR team pointed out what was going on with the censorship and sent that observation along with their own spin on it.

Oh, my...

Human Rights watch and the international media are not that daft, and therefore are not in need of a ousted Prime Minister pointing out that there is vast censorship and media intimidation under the present government, especially on issues concerning the already mentioned ousted PM.

[Johpa]

It is now too late to attempt to put the toothpaste back into the tube - the days of controlling information are nearly over - it will see in increase in propaganda and marketing in an attempt to regain lost ground.

Don't be too sure. They succeeded in banning Darkie, didn't they?

Ever see those maps of the Internet "backbones"? They do exist and they do converge in nodes that are easily controlled and indeed are controlled in many quarters. Not to mention the controlling of information by the corporations. Five years ago one could easily find information by using the likes of Google. Today, you are just as likely to get pages of commercial sites trying to sell you something related to your search terms.

So you have two converging actions lessening information, increased control of information and increased noise, noise being the opposite of information á la Shannon.

[ColPyat]

Five years ago one could easily find information by using the likes of Google. Today, you are just as likely to get pages of commercial sites trying to sell you something related to your search terms.

That though has nothing to do with censorship, but with search term optimization etc. to increase google ranking. Most sites with pure information content rarely bother with this, while commercial sites do use every legal trick, in order to get in the popular search terms the best page ranking.

If you want to search only for information, and want to bypass the commercial sites you will have to be more specific in which search term you type into the search engine.

[Johpa]

Five years ago one could easily find information by using the likes of Google. Today, you are just as likely to get pages of commercial sites trying to sell you something related to your search terms.

That though has nothing to do with censorship, but with search term optimization etc. to increase google ranking. Most sites with pure information content rarely bother with this, while commercial sites do use every legal trick, in order to get in the popular search terms the best page ranking.

If you want to search only for information, and want to bypass the commercial sites you will have to be more specific in which search term you type into the search engine.

But it does have to do with the second scourge I mentioned, increased noise. We all must use more precise filters to block the noise. Now I was taught Boolean logic in high school and so can create such filters for search engines on the fly. But alas, they aren't teaching the younger generation such mathematical concepts although they still have them solve quadratic equations ad nauseum. The trend, not always your friend, is towards increased corporate noise and increased government censorship.

My primary point was to note the fallacy alluded to in Stumonsters post that somehow the Internet allows for unimpeded dissemination of information. Certainly net savvy techies can temporarily overcome certain government censorship actions, but even these bypasses could be overcome by the censoring governments if so desired. The days of governments controlling digital information are only beginning. Welcome brave new world and remember Huxley's prophesy: "Liberalism died with the first anthrax bomb."

[ColPyat]

Five years ago one could easily find information by using the likes of Google. Today, you are just as likely to get pages of commercial sites trying to sell you something related to your search terms.

That though has nothing to do with censorship, but with search term optimization etc. to increase google ranking. Most sites with pure information content rarely bother with this, while commercial sites do use every legal trick, in order to get in the popular search terms the best page ranking.

If you want to search only for information, and want to bypass the commercial sites you will have to be more specific in which search term you type into the search engine.

But it does have to do with the second scourge I mentioned, increased noise. We all must use more precise filters to block the noise. Now I was taught Boolean logic in high school and so can create such filters for search engines on the fly. But alas, they aren't teaching the younger generation such mathematical concepts although they still have them solve quadratic equations ad nauseum. The trend, not always your friend, is towards increased corporate noise and increased government censorship.

My primary point was to note the fallacy alluded to in Stumonsters post that somehow the Internet allows for unimpeded dissemination of information. Certainly net savvy techies can temporarily overcome certain government censorship actions, but even these bypasses could be overcome by the censoring governments if so desired. The days of governments controlling digital information are only beginning. Welcome brave new world and remember Huxley's prophesy: "Liberalism died with the first anthrax bomb."

In general i do very much agree with you here. I have no idea though what 'Bolean logic' is - i looked it up on wikipedia, and my head was spinning. I flunked the equations as as well back then - i liked art, history and sports.

I just stay with common sense.

Fortunately the corporations have little hold on me, unless they start selling low priced antiques, rare Chinese teas and other such stuff i love to spend my money on. But yes, i already think about how i can protect my son from the ever increasing noise. Overcoming censorship there is easier, i just have to give him access to reality.

[Prakanong]

I also have to at least consider the fact that this thread may have been somehow influenced by Thaksin and his hired PR team to make the Junta look worse. After all that is their job.

Please explain this statement.

Well as I said I don't want to place my hat in the ring just yet. However to answer your question I saw a post by Tony Clifton that reminded of that fact. Yes Thaksin ended the relationship with his PR team, or was it the other way around? They certainly lost some face when trying to represent him or should I say dance with the devil. However even that they were gone several weeks ago the work they does not always happen in real time. Certainly the HR group named in the op's post did not come to their conclusion during lunch at a New York Deli. Time needs to be spent doing research and verifying facts. How much time I can't say but certainly to do a proper job more than a week.

What I am suggesting is that Thaksin's PR team pointed out what was going on with the censorship and sent that observation along with their own spin on it.

As it is a bit of a two team battle Thaksin and the Junta, you can win by adding to your own points or take points away from your opponent.

So as I said I will wait until around June 10 or so before I enter my view on this issue.

Your hat has been in the ring a long time

PR company losing face? - please join the real world and deal with your paranoia

Too much time in Nana Plaza bar's methinks

[John K]

My position is and has been, I understand the reason for some of the censorship related to Thaksin. As of about 1:30 pm Wednesday when the judgment is handed down, the reason for the censorship will have been removed. I am saying I will give them about a week to make adjustments and remove political related blocks as long as they are not viewed as campaigning or from banned parties or politicians or direct attacks on the junta. For now they are in charge and as long as they are moving to their specified goal of elections this year I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

As far as stuff from the Ministry of culture, that is another story and for now lets just get past this week.

PR losing face, go back and take a look at how they appeared to others before Thaksin and after. At least before Thaksin it looked like they were telling the truth and had a credible reputation. Now they look like a bunch of lairs. Why would anyone want to hire liars and pay big money to do so?

I suspect they dumped Thaksin and not the other way around. Particularly so when Thaksin said he dumped them, he does have a way of reversing thing if you have not noticed.

As for the rest of your comment, Paranoia and Nana plaza? You have completely lost me on that.