Bangkok MP’s challenge to Computer Crime Act dismissed by Constitutional Court

[webfact]

 

Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork, representing the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), faced a setback yesterday when the Constitutional Court dismissed her petition concerning the constitutionality of Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act. The court’s decision came via the Criminal Court, which is currently presiding over a case against Rukchanok.

 

The charges against Rukchanok, stemming from a tweet she posted in July 2020, include an alleged violation of the 2007 Computer Crime Act and the lese majeste law. Her tweet, criticising the then Prayut Chan-o-cha government for a supposed monopoly of Covid-19 vaccine supplies, led to her prosecution. 

 

Rukchanok, a member of the Clubhouse for Democracy at the time of her tweet, questioned the legality of Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act. This section prohibits the introduction of misleading or fraudulent information into a computer system, particularly if it is defamatory, detrimental to national and economic security, or public safety.

It also includes pornographic content made public. Offenders can face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture of Rukchanok Srinork courtesy of Stay in Thailand

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-30

 

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[TroubleandGrumpy]

Thailand will never become a true democracy until Laws like this are expunged.  The main problem is that the Law can be extremely broad in its definition and application, and that allows these sorts of Laws to be used to shut down criticism and dissent. Until the people of Thailand can express their opinions publicly (within reason), Thailand will remain a 3rd world country pretending to be 1st world. 

[klauskunkel]

The problem is the constitutionality of the Constitution itself when amended by military appointed "Constitution Experts" and interpreted by similarly appointed Constitution Court judges.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The charges against Rukchanok, stemming from a tweet she posted in July 2020, include an alleged violation of the 2007 Computer Crime Act and the lese majeste law. Her tweet, criticising the then Prayut Chan-o-cha government for a supposed monopoly of Covid-19 vaccine supplies, led to her prosecution. 

 

Rukchanok, a member of the Clubhouse for Democracy at the time of her tweet, questioned the legality of Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act. This section prohibits the introduction of misleading or fraudulent information into a computer system, particularly if it is defamatory, detrimental to national and economic security, or public safety

We all know deformation laws in Thailand have nothing to do with exposing the truth or lies.

It's about defaming someones character publicly.

 

[bradiston]

Just to question a government policy is cause enough for a charge of destroying a reputation. Since childhood, Thais are brought up to believe you never ever question your elders. It causes disharmony and likely will result in civil war, famine, floods and complete collapse of Thailand's "democracy". Unless of course you're a paid lackey attacking the opposition.

Edited November 30, 2023 by bradiston

[ikke1959]

THe motion was not from the ruling parties, but Move Forward and therefor doomed to fail