ICT Ministry Bans Websites Attacking Govt

[jrincon17]

Won't work unfortunately. They will just block the site.

That's what they (True/CAT) do most of the afternoons anyway to all international website access... 

Democracy and freedown of speech declared dead in TH.

Maybe someone with connections to some western media should spread the articles....see what happens ?

Should just get a Bulgarian server or something.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

fm9225.com was hosted on the datacenter of issp.com....

i dont think the government has blocked access to fm9225.com, just that they have asked issp to pull the plug on fm9225.com

i guess if they move to another country would it solve their problem temporarily???

for all i know issp requires the customers company registration/ ID/ passport to use their services....so whats this thing abt "So the websites were ''suspended'' until they were improved and registered properly."

do a whois for fm9225.com and you get their complete registration details....im sure ICT knows abt this....

all this doesnt bother me a lot....what really bothers me is that the thai ppl are OK with this......"mai bpen rai" attitude....sometimes crosses the limits.

court case wont work....im sure the justice ministry is on toxins payroll...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe because they know they can not change it , maybe they will disappear

[penzman]

Update:

PM: I know nothing about anti-govt website closures

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday distanced himself from the closure of two websites deemed critical of him and his government.

Thaksin said he knew nothing about the shutdown of www.thai-insider.com and www.fm9225.com, which belong to a local businessman and a community radio station, respectively.

“I know nothing about it. You must ask the minister in charge,” said Thaksin.

--The Nation 2005-06-03

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[sriracha john]

just spoke with my thai staff about it, and they are not angree. It is more or less OK for them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If your bowing down, then let me the cutting-Rage Against the Machine

That's sad. I really thought the Thais cared more about what happened to their homeland.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They do care... but they are used to being apolitical... my gf was the same at first as others have posted here: "thaksin is ok".. "thaksin help people"... etc.

but after many discussions and information gathering and providing her with evidence, she's seen the light and is very much anti-Thaksin now. She's now spreading the word amongst her family members and co-workers who initially were the same as her. It's a slow process, but I know it will continue to spread.

btw, Rage Against The Machine is fabulous.

[sriracha john]

“I know nothing,” said Thaksin.

THERE IT IS!!!.... The first honest statement made by Thaksin in over 5 years as Prime Minister!!

Wheee!!!! Yippee!!!

FINALLY!! The truth revealed!!

[albert dickinson]

As i appear to be the only person reading this,i begin to wonder how many farangs are interested shy- ted

[joe beets]

^ albert, &lt;deleted&gt; are you talking about?

I'm continually amused and constantly amazed by the odd things that inspire virgin posters.

Or should I say sock puppets?

You don't even appear to be "the only person" inside your own skull.

RATM rules.

jb

[h90]

if something like that happens in my country, even my old mother would have just 2 questions:

a) where is my gun, I start a revolution

and aeh Internet, what is that.

my wife is from the deep south, she anyway does not like thaksin. But the others, they do not really care about it. i don't mean the educated wealthy people, just the normal ones.

I guess if you let them vote for:

We make a total censorship, but Chang Beer gets 2 baht cheaper (Yes/No)

We don't make any elections anymore, but everyone gets a mobil phone for free (Yes/No)

they would agree. Or maybe I have a unlucky group of apolitical idiots in my office, which does not reflect the population.

By the way my wife is simillar to your GF. Hope our lovely leader will not put her in jail one day...

just spoke with my thai staff about it, and they are not angree. It is more or less OK for them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If your bowing down, then let me the cutting-Rage Against the Machine

That's sad. I really thought the Thais cared more about what happened to their homeland.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They do care... but they are used to being apolitical... my gf was the same at first as others have posted here: "thaksin is ok".. "thaksin help people"... etc.

but after many discussions and information gathering and providing her with evidence, she's seen the light and is very much anti-Thaksin now. She's now spreading the word amongst her family members and co-workers who initially were the same as her. It's a slow process, but I know it will continue to spread.

btw, Rage Against The Machine is fabulous.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Gallowspole]

From Reuters: Today 17:45 GMT

Mr Thaksin said that having consulted his English to Thai dictionary, a more accurate reflection of his party's ethos would be encapsulated in the name: 'Thai-Pumpkin-Thai'.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How pumpkining true !!

[faranginbkk]

I have a question to the administrators. Considering that the govt seems to be more and more controlling and paranoid about critisism, how 'safe' are our postings? I mean, will thaivisa.com give out our unique ISP no. if requested by the govt so they can identify the poster by name?

I am reluctant to write freely until this is clarified. Thanks.

[george]

No, we do not keep logs more than 24 hours. We don't host in Thailand, so the Thai Government can not request anything. Don't worry.

[faranginbkk]

Thanks! This is assuring.

Thailand is not like China.........thank God......not yet at least.

[sonnyJ]

I have a question to the administrators.  Considering that the govt seems to be more and more controlling and paranoid about critisism, how 'safe' are our postings?  I mean, will thaivisa.com give out our unique ISP no. if requested by the govt so they can identify the poster by name? 

I am reluctant to write freely until this is clarified.  Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a good point.

Should we be worried of secret police, knocking on our doors, observing our behavior?

Christs, where is this country heading to?

War On Internet users?

Non of this would surprise me. But makes me very worried.

Edited June 23, 2005 by sonnyJ

[albert dickinson]

^ albert, &lt;deleted&gt; are you talking about?

I'm continually amused and constantly amazed by the odd things that inspire virgin posters.

Or should I say sock puppets?

You don't even appear to be "the only person" inside your own skull.

RATM rules.

jb

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

as a person who dosen't seem to be able to put 2&2 together, i will elaborate.Iwas referingto the article'ministry bans web sites attacking government"don't be so critical of virgin posters.we all have to learn

[sriracha john]

I have faith in the admins... they are as tough as nails. Even if they were put under hot lights and brutally tortured for hours on end, they would never betray the trust of their members. The ICT Ministry officials could pull out their fingernails with pliers one by one and still they would not talk. The secret police could apply electrical shocks to their private parts time after time and STILL they would not give up the information...

I just hope the police don't figure out the real method of getting them to talk: Chang....

Edited June 23, 2005 by sriracha john

[TokyoT]

Update:

PM: I know nothing about anti-govt website closures

“I know nothing about it. You must ask the minister in charge,” said Thaksin.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As our good friend Sergeant Schultz use to say:

"I know nothing!"

[the_webninja]

The Sad fact of ths matter is the Majority of the people in Thailand are not even AWARE of What these Republicans are doing, or that there is even anything WRONG with Republican Oppression. And until people can get it straight in their heads what each Political Party Represents, these kinds of things will continue to occur whenever you have a Republican in Office. Republicans are NOT about FREEDOM, they are about CONTROL. If it is FREEDOM you want, then the people must Vote for Freedom, by Voting for Democrats or Liberitarians. It is good that you posted this Story on this Website so people can talk about it, and get a better understanding of what Republicans are all about. Knowledge is Power, the more people know the more they can DO something to change things. This is GOOD thing.

[ChiangMaiMike]

Most Thai's rightly think they are better off now than a few years ago... but they fail to realize how much better it could be. Up North here it is very difficult to find someone who will say anything more critical about Thaksin than... "Maybe he not really good man, but good man for Thailand now"...

To quote Dylan..."But the times... they are a'changing."

[Scott]

In the newspaper today, there was an article about the government's plans to stop TV broadcasts after midnight. This is to save energy. In light of the closure of the websites, this news is particularly troublesome. Once you control the media you have a dangerous situation.

Control the internet, then the TV--starting with when you can watch it, followed by what you can watch.

I am concerned that the country may be headed in a seriously wrong and potentially dangerous direction.

[sriracha john]

In the newspaper today, there was an article about the government's plans to stop TV broadcasts after midnight.  This is to save energy.  In light of the closure of the websites, this news is particularly troublesome.  Once you control the media you have a dangerous situation. 

Control the internet, then the TV--starting with when you can watch it, followed by what you can watch.

I am concerned that the country may be headed in a seriously wrong and potentially dangerous direction.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The tv channel ITV has already been under his control since he fired the staff that opposed his ownership years ago. They recently won the resulting lawsuit, but the channel remains tightly under his control.

[Scott]

Yes, he has a lot of control of media. I know some newspapers have begun to tow the party line. But I can't figure out why -- he has a lot of populist policies that are likely to keep him in power and liked. So why some of these excessively controlling regulations? What is it he wants to achieve?

[kat]

[

a TG with a masters degree who is over just said to me 'welcome to communist Thailand!'  lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This situation seems to be moving towards burmese, lao, cambodian, and chinese ways of governance. I'm tempted to say why they don't just declare Thailand as a socialist state, but that would be foolish thing to do. This (constitutional democracy???) seems a lot better disguise. And anyway they are always better than their neighbours, in the eyes of the citizens...

Bush can get away with his things, why couldn't Taksin?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, it's not communism but nascent facism. A combination of ultra nationalism, ethnic purity, erosion of individual rights and freedom of movement or expression, consolidation of power into the hands of very few, or one all-powerful person, and complete corporate control over the state and/or privitization of public sectors. It's facism.

Thais have never lived in a socialist state so they embrace the idea wholeheartedly.

Free medical care, lots of handouts from the government in exchange for pure love for the dear leader who is considered infallible and godlike.

Mr. T just gave himself 300 bil to spend about in any way he pleases without any budget planning or checks. That's about 30% of total government revenue.

By socialist I mean like USSR, not like Sweden.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most Thai's rightly think they are better off now than a few years ago... but they fail to realize how much better it could be.  Up North here it is very difficult to find someone who will say anything more critical about Thaksin than... "Maybe he not really good man, but good man for Thailand now"...

To quote Dylan..."But the times... they are a'changing."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, the medical care is not so free (when you factor in most of the false advertising of the 30-baht scheme, and the fact that 60% of government doctors have resigned); most of the "handouts" or loans came with an expiration date that many villagers had to go into further debt with loan sharks at 20% interest per day to repay; most Thai middle-class fund their extravagant lifestyles on credit; wages are still impossibly low, hours are long, and human rights, never mind consumer rights, are vanishing before our eyes (what little existed anyway).

I don't think most Thais realize the incredibly expensive and short-term trade offs they are making with their liberty and future political economy.

[thaibebop]

just spoke with my thai staff about it, and they are not angree. It is more or less OK for them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If your bowing down, then let me the cutting-Rage Against the Machine

That's sad. I really thought the Thais cared more about what happened to their homeland.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They do care... but they are used to being apolitical... my gf was the same at first as others have posted here: "thaksin is ok".. "thaksin help people"... etc.

but after many discussions and information gathering and providing her with evidence, she's seen the light and is very much anti-Thaksin now. She's now spreading the word amongst her family members and co-workers who initially were the same as her. It's a slow process, but I know it will continue to spread.

btw, Rage Against The Machine is fabulous.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is more in line with what I believe Thai people are like. My wife and all her friends, co-workers are all out spoken people, they are never afraid to say what they think, which drives most Americans crazy! So, I have a hard time believeing that Thai people would put up with too much crap. It's good to hear I am right.

[DaveYo]

I have spoken my piece of about free speech and free opinions. It is the right of every human being to have, yet a few blabbermouths decide to take it away.

What we really need now is contact Jackie Gleason for a Mission Impossible and do his famous Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapoooooooooooooooowwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!

Not close to being a communistic state, but more definitely towards becoming a Dictatorship per se being run by the PM and his Thai Rak Thai <snip> party.

We should all line up outside the PM's grandstand and give him a moonie as our thanks to whatever rights there is left to duh like who??????????

Just my two cents worth.

Daveyo

Edited June 24, 2005 by george

[penzman]

Talking with a Thai friend today, he mentioned (as I think) that Mr T will somehow not make it to the end of this 2nd term.

[sriracha john]

[

a TG with a masters degree who is over just said to me 'welcome to communist Thailand!'  lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This situation seems to be moving towards burmese, lao, cambodian, and chinese ways of governance. I'm tempted to say why they don't just declare Thailand as a socialist state, but that would be foolish thing to do. This (constitutional democracy???) seems a lot better disguise. And anyway they are always better than their neighbours, in the eyes of the citizens...

Bush can get away with his things, why couldn't Taksin?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, it's not communism but nascent facism. A combination of ultra nationalism, ethnic purity, erosion of individual rights and freedom of movement or expression, consolidation of power into the hands of very few, or one all-powerful person, and complete corporate control over the state and/or privitization of public sectors. It's facism.

Thais have never lived in a socialist state so they embrace the idea wholeheartedly.

Free medical care, lots of handouts from the government in exchange for pure love for the dear leader who is considered infallible and godlike.

Mr. T just gave himself 300 bil to spend about in any way he pleases without any budget planning or checks. That's about 30% of total government revenue.

By socialist I mean like USSR, not like Sweden.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most Thai's rightly think they are better off now than a few years ago... but they fail to realize how much better it could be.  Up North here it is very difficult to find someone who will say anything more critical about Thaksin than... "Maybe he not really good man, but good man for Thailand now"...

To quote Dylan..."But the times... they are a'changing."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, the medical care is not so free (when you factor in most of the false advertising of the 30-baht scheme, and the fact that 60% of government doctors have resigned); most of the "handouts" or loans came with an expiration date that many villagers had to go into further debt with loan sharks at 20% interest per day to repay; most Thai middle-class fund their extravagant lifestyles on credit; wages are still impossibly low, hours are long, and human rights, never mind consumer rights, are vanishing before our eyes (what little existed anyway).

I don't think most Thais realize the incredibly expensive and short-term trade offs they are making with their liberty and future political economy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good assessment through and through, Kat. It IS fascism and the regime of Thaksin <snip> will hopefully end peacefully.

I further agree that the big struggle is getting the population to see beyond tomorrow or next week.

Edited June 24, 2005 by george

[h90]

Yes many Thai people are pretty sure about that.

For my wife it is absolut sure that he can not stay til the end of the 2nd term. All the people from the south are telling that. If I ask them why I get very strange answers:

a) the horoscope (spelled like that??) is telling that

the evil can never stay long in Thailand

c) he did many bad things so he'll not be lucky anymore

strange answers.......

Talking with a Thai friend today, he mentioned (as I think) that Mr T will somehow not make it to the end of this 2nd term.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, it's not communism but nascent facism. A combination of ultra nationalism, ethnic purity, erosion of individual rights and freedom of movement or expression, consolidation of power into the hands of very few, or one all-powerful person, and complete corporate control over the state and/or privitization of public sectors. It's facism.

facism and communism are often in their practial results very simillar.....

we call it a circle, if you go the the ultra right side of the political spectrum, you get the same things like on the ultra left side.....

His way is more: "I am the CEO, Thailand is my company and all the money is mine" thats a bit beside that communist and facist ideas, which were born in the idea of helping people. Here I only see the idea of him helping himself.....

hmm, I'll stop posting, before the Thailands Stasi or SS come in my home and bring me to the Thai Gulag.....

[Sphere]

Talking with a Thai friend today, he mentioned (as I think) that Mr T will somehow not make it to the end of this 2nd term.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No such luck - considering the alternatives!

[faranginbkk]

Yes, he has a lot of control of media.  I know some newspapers have begun to tow the party line.  But I can't figure out why --

This is quite simple. T & Friends have threatened to withhold advertising money. Since the newspapers cannot manage financially without ads, they are forced to implement self-censorship, alas in line with T's wishes.

[camerata]

ICT Ministry bans websites attacking govt

Closures 'violation of right of free speech'

BANGKOK: -- Two websites critical of the government were banned yesterday, the first to be shut down for political activity rather the usual reason, pornography.

Isn't that former regular contributor to SCT years ago, Trinh, the head government honcho for Thailand's Internet policy?

No, he is CEO of a publicly listed ISP. He's never worked for the government and he certainly wouldn't encourage shutting down web sites for "political activity."

[thaitanic]

It is simple to get over the ban.

You just set up your web site in a foreign country.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not true. Click on http://www.betfair.com for example. There's one site that is DEFINITELY not hosted in Thailand.