ICT Ministry Bans Websites Attacking Govt

[johng]

Well

Thai-insider

Seems to be back... go on click it and try.

Edited June 24, 2005 by johng

[Rumpole]

Thanks!  This is assuring. 

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

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are striking similarities. Censorship and control of the media. Intimidation of journalists and political opposition. Massive corruption and self-serving cronyism among the political elite. Indoctrination in the education system. Brutal police tactics. A justice system which is a bad joke. Mowing down large groups of their own citizens in cold blood. To mention a few.

However, at least the bars here in China don't throw me out at midnight. No danger of being asked to pee into a plastic beaker or having cops demanding to see my passport, either. Oh yes, and they give me a residence/work visa without making me jump through fiery hoops and run around half a dozen different offices every few months.

Edited June 24, 2005 by Rumpole

[thaibebop]

Thanks!  This is assuring. 

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

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are striking similarities. Censorship and control of the media. Intimidation of journalists and political opposition. Massive corruption and self-serving cronyism among the political elite. Indoctrination in the education system. Brutal police tactics. A justice system which is a bad joke. Mowing down large groups of their own citizens in cold blood. To mention a few.

However, at least the bars here in China don't throw me out at midnight. No danger of being asked to pee into a plastic beaker or having cops demanding to see my passport, either. Oh yes, and they give me a residence/work visa without making me jump through fiery hoops and run around half a dozen different offices every few months.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We have some of that stuff in the U.S. thanks to Bush. I wonder where all these world leaders cooked up their goverening styles? Is there a school some where we don't know about?

[sajal]

Well     

Thai-insider

Seems to be back... go on click it and try.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

they r hsted in the US now....

now if government wants....they can block the site from thailand the same way they block *some* porno sites....as thai-insider.com is already considered to be a website whch needs to be blocked....

wellcome to the Scocialist Republic of Thailand

[peterpai]

[

We have some of that stuff in the U.S. thanks to Bush. I wonder where all these world leaders cooked up their goverening styles? Is there a school some where we don't know about?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dont know if there is a school. But you may find it interesting to read MACCHIAVELLI the "operating instructions" for sucessfull dictators. Written in the 17th century.......

[Sangsom]

Niccoló Machiavelli (1469-1527) this is from the last part of 15th century to the early 16th century not 17th century (1660-1700) and besides that I don't think that his writings like the "Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio" (published in 1531) or Il Principe (published in 1532) for example would be of much help nowadays for present or future dictators. I hate it when this great man always is referred to in a negative way, something he does not deserve! I quote from an article: "Neither the attempts to interpret Machiavelli's ideas as first steps to democratic thought nor as examples of evil reflect a balanced view of his writing."

[marquess]

Niccoló Machiavelli (1469-1527) this is from the last part of 15th century to the early 16th century not 17th century (1660-1700) and besides that I don't think that his writings like the "Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio" (published in 1531) or Il Principe (published in 1532) for example would be of much help nowadays for present or future dictators. I hate it when this great man always is referred to in a negative way, something he does not deserve! I quote from an article: "Neither the attempts to interpret Machiavelli's ideas as first steps to democratic thought nor as examples of evil reflect a balanced view of his writing."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with your comments On Machiavelli, he has often been misunderstood. The Prince, is really a study of the short comings of human nature and how a clever leader might expliot those shortcomings. Or what he should be weary of, concerning human nature.

[george]

Govt dictates news agenda, say critics

BANGKOK: -- The country has entered an era of commercial politics when media is ''blinded, deafened and gagged'' by the government's ability to dictate the news agenda, according to an academic conference.

The conference entitled ''Deaf, Blind, Mute: Rights and Media Freedom in the Hands of Commercial Politics,'' held by Chulalongkorn University's communication arts faculty and Unesco's Chair in Freedom of Expression programme, examined the state of media freedom in Thailand.

Books discussed at the forum touched on hot issues of the day including suspension of broadcasts by community radio stations critical of the government.

The conference said the government had resorted to three main approaches to divert public attention from negative coverage of its activities.

Mr Ruj said two years of research revealed that 13 headline newspaper stories were created by the government or Mr Thaksin that were sensational enough to ''bury'' news unfavourable to the government.

Citing examples, Mr Ruj said reports of Mr Thaksin's son, Panthongthae, allegedly carrying notes into a university exam room were followed soon afterwards by news of Mr Panthongthae transferring 367 million shares of the family company to his sister.

The intense security woes in the Deep South were countered by news of Mr Thaksin taking children from southern provinces on a tour of Bangkok.

Public interest in the build-up to last year's censure debate was also diluted by reports of plans to buy into Liverpool football team, a deal which did not materialise.

Mr Ruj said another diversionary tactic employed by the government was appeals to emotion and public sympathy. At the height of the entrance exam leak last year, Mr Thaksin asked for fairness for his daughter. Eyes moist, Mr Thaksin said: ''Is she the daughter of a crook that you have to keep bullying her?''

The government inhibited the flow of news by banning state officials from interviews and lessening public pressure on doubtful government undertakings by appointing inquiries although the investigations were often led by unpopular figures.

Supinya Klangnarong, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, said proposed privatisation of many government-run media outlets would eventually end up in private hands which could lead to dominance. Often, news was subject of mockery which was worse than interference.

Somkwan Promthong, of the Assembly of the Poor, said community radio broadcasts were one the few remaining outlets for free speech.

--Bangkok Post 2005-06-25

[george]

Fans of banned websites meet to slam crackdown

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of supporters of two websites that were shut down after criticising the government participated in a musical gathering at a Bangkok hotel yesterday.

The “Jazz in the Park” event was the third held since the shutdown of the two websites – www.thailand-insider.com and www.9225.com. The latter website was affiliated with the radio programme “Community Radio for Democracy Lovers”, formerly hosted by Anchalee Paireerak, the veteran community radio broadcaster known for her blunt criticism and strong language.

Several prominent government critics along with opposition MPs also attended the session.

Most of the participants were around 40 years of age and said they were there to show support for Anchalee, who announced last week that she was retiring.

Yesterday’s session was the first held at the Grand Hotel on Ratchadaphisek Road, after its organisers were denied permission to host it at facilities of the Than Setthakij newspaper due to the event’s apparent anti-government stance.

The proceedings included a free performance of jazz music along with anti-government speeches and panel discussions on the ongoing CTX scanner scandal.

Democrat MP Suwaroj Palang, chairman of the House Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said the shutdown of both websites clearly violated the constitutional principle of freedom of speech.

Suwaroj said he was puzzled that the Information and Communications Technology Ministry had said Anchalee’s programme damaged national security, yet it took no further legal action against her nor attempted to take her radio talk show off the air.

Because FM frequencies can only be heard in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces, Suwaroj said he thought the shutdown of Anchalee’s website was intended to prevent her from reaching a nationwide audience.

--The Nation 2005-06-26