Thailand Leads The World . . .

[Changian]

Thailand recently became the first country in the world to block or blacklist over 100,000 websites. Up to 113,000 and more being added every day. According to the Freedom Against Press Censorship group FACT Thailand. ( Whose site you wont be able to see if you are in Thailand as it has been blocked.)

The Hub of Censorship.

[gotlost]

And that's something to be proud off?

[harrry]

It is sad that parties have made this necescary by using the web to incite rebellion.

[chaoyang]

That is not a true statement. China is without question the biggest blocker of internet sites.

[Ulysses G.]

Well at least it does not seem to be many English sites. I do not know of any that I can not look at if I want. 

[garyh]

They have blacklisted 100,000 and adding 113,000 ever day???, perhaps you want to check your numbers

[QED]

They have blacklisted 100,000 and adding 113,000 ever day???, perhaps you want to check your numbers

Perhaps you want to read the post properly before calling out the OP.

He said they are the first to pass 100,000, are now up to 113,000, and there are still more being added every day.

Why oh why do so many people just look for fault in everything? To try to show superior intelligence? Kind of had the opposite effect in this case, huh?

[Berkshire]

Well at least it does not seem to be many English sites. I do not know of any that I can not look at if I want.

Exactly. Anyone who's been in Thailand for any length of time understands that there are laws related to lese majeste which will result in some manner of censorship. This, as well as restrictions on porn and insults to Buddhism. More recently, the political upheaval has resulted in some form of censorship to maintain public order.

My question is, so what? Does it really impact your life at all? China and most middle eastern countries are far worse. And even in the west, there are some restrictions as well related to national security and public decency, among other things. But how does this censorship effect my life in Thailand? Nada. I'm sure there are some foreigners living in Thailand who view it as an inalienable right to be able to watch kiddie porn, but that's not really Thailand's problem, is it?

[philw]

Well at least it does not seem to be many English sites. I do not know of any that I can not look at if I want.

Exactly. Anyone who's been in Thailand for any length of time understands that there are laws related to lese majeste which will result in some manner of censorship. This, as well as restrictions on porn and insults to Buddhism. More recently, the political upheaval has resulted in some form of censorship to maintain public order.

My question is, so what? Does it really impact your life at all? China and most middle eastern countries are far worse. And even in the west, there are some restrictions as well related to national security and public decency, among other things. But how does this censorship effect my life in Thailand? Nada. I'm sure there are some foreigners living in Thailand who view it as an inalienable right to be able to watch kiddie porn, but that's not really Thailand's problem, is it?

Yes, of course, as long as it keeps us safe and warm at night it's ok.

We shouldn't be allowed to see anything that might disturb us, or make us worry or query what mummy says...............

Thanks for for protecting us Mummy, can i have some more milk please ??

[Berkshire]

Well at least it does not seem to be many English sites. I do not know of any that I can not look at if I want.

Exactly. Anyone who's been in Thailand for any length of time understands that there are laws related to lese majeste which will result in some manner of censorship. This, as well as restrictions on porn and insults to Buddhism. More recently, the political upheaval has resulted in some form of censorship to maintain public order.

My question is, so what? Does it really impact your life at all? China and most middle eastern countries are far worse. And even in the west, there are some restrictions as well related to national security and public decency, among other things. But how does this censorship effect my life in Thailand? Nada. I'm sure there are some foreigners living in Thailand who view it as an inalienable right to be able to watch kiddie porn, but that's not really Thailand's problem, is it?

Yes, of course, as long as it keeps us safe and warm at night it's ok.

We shouldn't be allowed to see anything that might disturb us, or make us worry or query what mummy says...............

Thanks for for protecting us Mummy, can i have some more milk please ??

Yes, certainly. And how about some pudding with your milk? But you can't have any pudding, if you don't eat your meat!

But seriously, this is just another wind-up thread. What is the OP's point, other than to bash Thailand for something most countries are engaging in?

[buddy]

Well at least it does not seem to be many English sites. I do not know of any that I can not look at if I want.

Exactly. Anyone who's been in Thailand for any length of time understands that there are laws related to lese majeste which will result in some manner of censorship. This, as well as restrictions on porn and insults to Buddhism. More recently, the political upheaval has resulted in some form of censorship to maintain public order.

My question is, so what? Does it really impact your life at all? China and most middle eastern countries are far worse. And even in the west, there are some restrictions as well related to national security and public decency, among other things. But how does this censorship effect my life in Thailand? Nada. I'm sure there are some foreigners living in Thailand who view it as an inalienable right to be able to watch kiddie porn, but that's not really Thailand's problem, is it?

Absolutely correct...try Qatar and Saudi Arabia for a start!

[apetley]

Well the FACT website is coming through loud and proud here in Kanchanaburi so maybe the blocks are not in place today.

[buddy]

Well at least it does not seem to be many English sites. I do not know of any that I can not look at if I want.

Exactly. Anyone who's been in Thailand for any length of time understands that there are laws related to lese majeste which will result in some manner of censorship. This, as well as restrictions on porn and insults to Buddhism. More recently, the political upheaval has resulted in some form of censorship to maintain public order.

My question is, so what? Does it really impact your life at all? China and most middle eastern countries are far worse. And even in the west, there are some restrictions as well related to national security and public decency, among other things. But how does this censorship effect my life in Thailand? Nada. I'm sure there are some foreigners living in Thailand who view it as an inalienable right to be able to watch kiddie porn, but that's not really Thailand's problem, is it?

Yes, of course, as long as it keeps us safe and warm at night it's ok.

We shouldn't be allowed to see anything that might disturb us, or make us worry or query what mummy says...............

Thanks for for protecting us Mummy, can i have some more milk please ??

Agree, Dont question my comfort and a member of nothing wrong with Identiry cards only if you have something to hide brigade!

Google - " Government Function Creep" a Governments favourite tool to achieve a goal by stealth.

Classic example being the European Economic Community (EEC), it morphed by function creep into the Superstate called the European Union without any involvement of democratic voting by its Citizens?

Be very vigilant of the small acts and edicts that Governments issue now lest in the future you will wonder how you ended up in a particular unpleasant or disagreeable situation caused 10 years down the line.

Applies to Thailand as to any other Country.

[dave111223]

For those of you who think the blocked sites are only related to rebellion, lese majeste, public order etc...think again.

I hit blocked sites all the time, just the other day i was trying to download SOPcast to watch some TV online...BLOCKED!

www.sopcast.com now goes to w3.mict.go.th

What does downloading streaming TV software have to do with the government?

[bangkokburning]

Anything less than a total free flow of information is not good for democracy and freedom in general. Took hold China up as some model - pathetic.

People who read are not incited to violence quickly. I guarantee all those thugs on the barricades cant read past the 6th grade level.

[daoyai]

Anything less than a total free flow of information is not good for democracy and freedom in general. Took hold China up as some model - pathetic.

People who read are not incited to violence quickly. I guarantee all those thugs on the barricades cant read past the 6th grade level.

Agreed, censorship is vandalism.

Edited June 29, 2010 by daoyai

[chaoyang]

As well, the source referenced appears to be a Thai blog. I wouldn't trust their info one way or the other.

My feeling is there is indeed web censorship in Thailand, but it is almost unnoticeable in the English-speaking community Again, China takes the title hands down. I seriously doubt Thailand was the first to block 100,000 sites -- I'm sure China reached that figure many, many years ago,

OP: More cr*p  passed off as "truth." Thailand certainly rates high on the list of poor reporting and just plain lazy stories passed off as something resembling reality.

Edited June 29, 2010 by chaoyang

[Berkshire]

Anything less than a total free flow of information is not good for democracy and freedom in general. Took hold China up as some model - pathetic.

People who read are not incited to violence quickly. I guarantee all those thugs on the barricades cant read past the 6th grade level.

Hmmm, by "total free flow of information," I'm sure you mean 100% freedom of speech, no exceptions. In the US, you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater or say certain words while boarding a plane at the security checkpoint. High ranking military officials cannot talk disparagingly of his/her civilian boss. And you certainly can't post on your website your intention of assassinating the President. Oh, it's safety and security you say? On US national television, there are seven words which cannot be spoken. Tobacco companies can't advertise freely on TV. Gambling websites are technically illegal, even if it originates outside the US. And of course, child pornography on the internet is illegal. And so on, and so on.

So tell me, what country in the world has "total free flow of information?" If you really believe what you're preaching, then there should NEVER be any exceptions.

[PattayaParent]

Web censorship in Saudi is much worse than here.

[Berkshire]

Web censorship in Saudi is much worse than here.

You are correct. No comparison, really.

[buddy]

Web censorship in Saudi is much worse than here.

You are correct. No comparison, really.

If you ever got the chance...look em directly in the eye and say "What are YOU afraid of"?

[Duangta]

The Bangkok Post has illegally used content from the Factthai website. This website is blocked by ICT and it's content is considered a threat to national security. As of now the BKK Post is under investigation by the DSI.

http://facthai.wordpress.com/

http://thaicrisis.wordpress.com/

http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/

This website has been blocked by ICT

Jakrapob Penkair

Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Edited June 29, 2010 by Duangta

[apetley]

Anything less than a total free flow of information is not good for democracy and freedom in general. Took hold China up as some model - pathetic.

People who read are not incited to violence quickly. I guarantee all those thugs on the barricades cant read past the 6th grade level.

Hmmm, by "total free flow of information," I'm sure you mean 100% freedom of speech, no exceptions. In the US, you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater or say certain words while boarding a plane at the security checkpoint. High ranking military officials cannot talk disparagingly of his/her civilian boss. And you certainly can't post on your website your intention of assassinating the President. Oh, it's safety and security you say? On US national television, there are seven words which cannot be spoken. Tobacco companies can't advertise freely on TV. Gambling websites are technically illegal, even if it originates outside the US. And of course, child pornography on the internet is illegal. And so on, and so on.

So tell me, what country in the world has "total free flow of information?" If you really believe what you're preaching, then there should NEVER be any exceptions.

I think any sane person would agree with that, wouldn't you?

[gotlost]

That is not a true statement. China is without question the biggest blocker of internet sites.

You mean Thailand is not number one.

[chaoyang]

Anything less than a total free flow of information is not good for

democracy and freedom in general. To  hold China up as some model -

pathetic.[/Quote]No one is holding China up as a model to follow -- far from it. I just made a statement of clear FACT. China is blocking far, far more sites than Thailand. Thaiand IS NOT No. 1 in the world for blocked websites ... perhaps only for inept reporting by a so-called "free press".

Edited June 29, 2010 by chaoyang

[bangkokburning]

Anything less than a total free flow of information is not good for democracy and freedom in general. Took hold China up as some model - pathetic.

People who read are not incited to violence quickly. I guarantee all those thugs on the barricades cant read past the 6th grade level.

Hmmm, by "total free flow of information," I'm sure you mean 100% freedom of speech, no exceptions. In the US, you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater or say certain words while boarding a plane at the security checkpoint. High ranking military officials cannot talk disparagingly of his/her civilian boss. And you certainly can't post on your website your intention of assassinating the President. Oh, it's safety and security you say? On US national television, there are seven words which cannot be spoken. Tobacco companies can't advertise freely on TV. Gambling websites are technically illegal, even if it originates outside the US. And of course, child pornography on the internet is illegal. And so on, and so on.

So tell me, what country in the world has "total free flow of information?" If you really believe what you're preaching, then there should NEVER be any exceptions.

Every one of these issues you raise are red herrings. Yelling "fire" in a theater or "I have a bomb" has absolutely nothing to do with the free flow of information. Anyone, can speak ill of their boss -and suffer the consequences. Assassination or even the conspiracy thereof (of anyone) has nothing whatsoever to do with "information" and are both criminal acts unto themselves in most countries.

Tobacco companies CAN NO LONGER ADVERTISE AFTER DECADES OF LYING TO THE PUBLIC, advertise because their product has been deemed a catastrophe for public health. What is the free speech argument here? The stuff should not even be allowed to be sold, only allowed to be grown.

Gambling websites are technically illegal, even if it originates outside the US. Again, not a free speech argument. Has zero to do with speech.

Any pornography deemed obscene by US court is illegal usually based on obscenity, not speech laws . There are a myriad of other laws that often make prurient pornography illegal as wel. Porn has been long argued as a speech issue and has had great success. Perhaps a better example. I do not see banning certain types of porn as a death knell to free speech. Unlike the Arts.

On US national television, there are seven words which cannot be spoken. This is your best argument. But this is a dictate by society, again - its the obscenity thing again. The obscenity crime overrides the speech issue.

[TAWP]

Well the FACT website is coming through loud and proud here in Kanchanaburi so maybe the blocks are not in place today.

Not in BKK, Thong Lo, TOT

[roamer]

China is worse. Saudi is worse. Last time I looked neither claimed to be a democracy unlike LOS.

[kissdani]

Well the FACT website is coming through loud and proud here in Kanchanaburi so maybe the blocks are not in place today.

Not in BKK, Thong Lo, TOT

Today not, but few days ago and weeks before it was one of the blocked websites. TRUE, Bangkok, Sathorn.

Censorship is maybe not so worse like in Saudi-Arabia, but this not an excuse for the action of the MICT.

[TAWP]

Well the FACT website is coming through loud and proud here in Kanchanaburi so maybe the blocks are not in place today.

Not in BKK, Thong Lo, TOT

Today not, but few days ago and weeks before it was one of the blocked websites. TRUE, Bangkok, Sathorn.

Censorship is maybe not so worse like in Saudi-Arabia, but this not an excuse for the action of the MICT.

By 'not' I meant that it was *not* accessible. It is blocked from the office that uses TOT.