Is Thailand Becoming A Censored Society?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Is Thailand becoming a censored society?

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

In a sign of continued resistance, red-shirt print media is starting to lift its head again, with at least four publications now available in some parts of Bangkok and beyond. However, the government appears determined to suppress them, or at least stifle the most vocal ones.

At press time yesterday, Red Power magazine editor Somyos Phrueksakasemsuk had reportedly gone into hiding. Somyos' colleague Sriatsara Titali told this writer yesterday that the editor was scheduled to speak at a symposium on the future of the media on Wednesday afternoon in Lat Phrao.

However, he allegedly fled when he heard news of some 10 plainclothes police officers keeping an eye out for him. The charge against Somyos is not clear yet, but the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) warned last week that the publishers of Red Power might be guilty of defaming the royal institution, though no evidence has been produced so far.

The future of the fortnightly magazine hangs in the balance, since according to Sriatsara, the police "shut" the printing house and the distribution office, though another red-shirt source said the officers merely "visited" it in search of the left-leaning editor.

Another new red-shirt publication is the Bt30 People's Channel weekly. Launched in August, the front page of the second edition (August 5-11) read: "We must confess, we are not sure if the government will allow us to continue. If we are not bullied by the government, we strongly believe the People's Channel will grow by leaps and bounds in a short period of time."

A third publication surfaced last week called the Mahaprachachon Sudsapda (The Great Mass of People Weekender), with red-shirt co-leader Veera Musigapong as its adviser. This is a reincarnation of the Truth Today weekly magazine, now trumpeting "peace and non-violence" in order to thwart possible censorship.

It's no longer like the "good old days", because since May 19 many bookstores and newsagents are refusing to carry red-shirt titles either out of fear of upsetting the authorities or because of their anti-red stance.

A red-shirt supporter said it is only the red-shirt sympathisers and supporters who dare carry these publications.

As a clear sign of the great political divide between the rich and poor, most of these red-shirt publications are found in the periphery or the poorer parts of the capital. There is only one bookshop in the Siam Square area known to this writer that dares carry these magazines and newspapers. However, some red shirts say the content of these publications is not as strong as it was in the past.

It appears as if the censorship of red-shirt media is partially legitimised by society approval, especially those who are against the movement, including many mainstream media outlets that initially accepted and even supported the reds. Not only will this anger the red shirts, but it will also deepen the culture of censorship, which will most likely be exploited by those in power in the future.

Thailand is steadily becoming "a censored society" where some trains of thought can be illegal, or even a crime, making speaking about certain taboo topics an exercise in political courage.

Censorship is prevalent in societies that cannot deal with differences openly and peacefully. If those in power can't accept your views, they try to shut you up. If you refuse to shut up, then you end up in jail either over charges of violating the emergency decree, the lese majeste law or the computer crime law. In extreme cases, you can die just like the red-shirt protesters did earlier this year. Killing can be a form of censorship too, you know.

-- The Nation 2010-09-10

[SomTumTiger]

becoming?

[Freeman64]

No need for comment here. The article answers the question.

An observation is state controlled censorship is increasingly leading to self censorship in the general population.

 

[whybother]

Until lese majeste laws are revoked, this censorship will continue. It's interesting to note that even the one that these laws protect has been quoted saying that they should not be there.

For the red shirt media (print, radio and tv) to continue to publish, they just need to make sure there is nothing about the King in their reports. The red shirts aren't about bringing down the monarchy , so that shouldn't be too hard to do. Keep their reporting about politics and the state of Thailand, and the government won't have any reason to shut it down.

[Buchholz]

A couple of samples:

From Voice of Taksin, March 1-16, 2010

The caption reads:

Special campaign to greet the coup festival - Cheer up, Thaksin! – Do not throw more than 2 bottles a day!

[Employing Molotov cocktails has been often mentioned in Red Shirt speeches. In this cartoon, imagery and advertising slogans from a popular energy drink are used along with the warning on the bottle advises not to drink (or thrown) more than two bottles per day.]

From Voice of Taksin, September 16-30, 2009

The headlines on the cover read: 3 years of the coup of the influential - Bomb the aristocrats - DESTROY [slay] aristocrats

[a grenade is in front of the seal of the Democrat Party]

from the highly informative series, Red Publications, and going back over a year to the present may be found at:

http://2bangkok.com/09/RedPublications.shtml

[whybother]

A couple of samples:

<snip cover>

From Voice of Taksin, March 1-16, 2010

The caption reads:

Special campaign to greet the coup festival - Cheer up, Thaksin! – Do not throw more than 2 bottles a day!

[Employing Molotov cocktails has been often mentioned in Red Shirt speeches. In this cartoon, imagery and advertising slogans from a popular energy drink are used along with the warning on the bottle advises not to drink (or thrown) more than two bottles per day.]

<snip cover>

From Voice of Taksin, September 16-30, 2009

The headlines on the cover read: 3 years of the coup of the influential - Bomb the aristocrats - DESTROY [slay] aristocrats

[a grenade is in front of the seal of the Democrat Party]

from the highly informative series, Red Publications, and going back over a year to the present may be found at:

http://2bangkok.com/...lications.shtml

OK. In addition to keep the monarchy out of their publications, they probably need to keep the "kill everyone and destroy everything that is against us" type reports.

Maybe a a TVF red shirt supporter can explain to me why these types of publications should be allowed to publish, and which other countries in the world that they think these would be allowed.

[Insight]

One of the latest images from the pro-red magazines features an image of Abhisit dressed in a Nazi uniform with his hands covered in blood. Is anybody prepared to admit a publication would be permitted back in their home countries depicting the PM/President in such a manor? Previous publications available on the streets have included an image of Abhisit and Suthep hanging by a noose on the cover - this was published and available after the May 19th clampdown.

One would argue the intention of the reds is to make such publications as provocative as possible pushing all acceptable boundaries, so that much political hay internationally can be made once publishing is ordered to stop back in Thailand.

/edit - Apologies whybother, just realised we're making similar points. Added said image from 2Bangkok.com.

Edited September 10, 2010 by Insight

[CosmicSurfer]

Those kinds of inflammatory calls to violence would be the reason for police observation and possible charges even in countries with more liberal free-speech laws.

A free exchange of dissenting political ideas and calls for systemic changes in a democracy do not include the use of violence in a truly Democratic Society.

That is NOT Democracy.. That is insurrection and anarchy.

Whereas I agree that the Lese Majeste Law, Computer Crimes Law and parts of the Emergency decree are undemocratic in nature, Direct calls to Violence and Inciting violent acts are crimes against humanity and freedom as well.

Freedom of Speech is not a license to create an atmosphere of violence or to provoke violence against another group, who also have a freedom to hold their own views and beliefs.

Germany has anti-Nazi laws, Canada regularly prosecute Holocaust deniers, the USA has Hate Crime Laws to protect the weak and defenseless.

These laws all are based in the basic democratic principle that the Majority must respect and protect the minority.

CS

Edited September 10, 2010 by CosmicSurfer

[Portlandstone]

becoming?

that was my first reaction.

[trogers]

I seem to recall over 4 years ago, Bangkok Post was threatened with a lawsuit by the government then and subsequently fired their reporter for reporting about cracks in the newly opened Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

And after the coup, part of this airport had to be closed for repairs, and the old airport reopened, meaning the early reports were factual.

And only now you are asking this question?

[Insight]

I seem to recall over 4 years ago, Bangkok Post was threatened with a lawsuit by the government then and subsequently fired their reporter for reporting about cracks in the newly opened Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

And after the coup, part of this airport had to be closed for repairs, and the old airport reopened, meaning the early reports were factual.

And only now you are asking this question?

Amsterdam's number 1 client seemed to have a different take on freedom of press back then..

[somtampet]

Thailand is becoming a communist state no doubt about that.My only problem is if it becomes a pc correct state then i might leave,as i left the uk because of all that crap

[ToffeEFCpower]

Is Thailand becoming a censored society?

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

I thought it already was? :jap:

[junglist]

has been for a very long long time..

[Robby nz]

There is another principle that goes together with freedom of speech.

It is called responsibility.

We have all seen what the red stage speeches produced in the way hate and violance.

More is not needed.

Some of the posts on this forum calling the Govt mass murderers amoung other things shows how much free speech we do have.

[monkfish]

Blimey even The Nation is crying out!

If you want to know why the government physical closed down the news paper just google Red Power Axed and you may find the answer.

[Buchholz]

If you want to know why the government physical closed down the news paper just google Red Power

A sample from 2Bangkok.com

From Red Power, April, 2010

The cover reads: The Russian Revolution - The anti-royalists in the early of the 20th century - History will not forgive us if we do not seize the power at this moment

[This publication is basically sending the same message that Thaksin's People Power Party sent in 2008 when they had people at a pro-government rally making controversial threats.]

http://www.2bangkok.com/10/RedPublicationsCommunist.shtml

[Groongthep]

Thailand is becoming a communist state no doubt about that.

What a statement. Thailand, whose government was installed by coup, is ultra elitist, ultra capitalist, ultra pro monarchy, historically virulently anti communist, wary of its communist neighbours in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China and who would quickly be voted out in a fair election, is, in your opinion, "becoming a communist state..." Thaksin, Abhisit and of course the Army, who are really in charge, repeatedly profess strong anti communist opinions as well.

There are a few small fringe groups who publish little read communist material but all the serious socialist union leaders and academics (like Giles "Ji" Ungpakorn) have already been exiled or threatened with violence if they don't desist.

Thailand is about as far from being communist as any other country on the planet.

[rixalex]

Thailand is becoming a communist state no doubt about that.

What a statement. Thailand, whose government was installed by coup, is ultra elitist, ultra capitalist, ultra pro monarchy, historically virulently anti communist, wary of its communist neighbours in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China and who would quickly be voted out in a fair election, is, in your opinion, "becoming a communist state..." Thaksin, Abhisit and of course the Army, who are really in charge, repeatedly profess strong anti communist opinions as well.

There are a few small fringe groups who publish little read communist material but all the serious socialist union leaders and academics (like Giles "Ji" Ungpakorn) have already been exiled or threatened with violence if they don't desist.

Thailand is about as far from being communist as any other country on the planet.

Communism is one of those words that often gets thrown about liberally. How many people really understand what it means though i wonder.

[mccw]

Only problem with censorship in Thailand is there's not enough of it!

Local radio stations spouting lies and hatred need to shut down aswell as the print media; but all too often the local police don't have the will or the guts to do it. So police need to be purged of those unwilling to do their duty.

Strong tactics is only way to deal with these loonitics.

[Insight]

Thailand is becoming a communist state no doubt about that.

What a statement. Thailand, whose government was installed by coup, is ultra elitist, ultra capitalist, ultra pro monarchy, historically virulently anti communist, wary of its communist neighbours in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China and who would quickly be voted out in a fair election, is, in your opinion, "becoming a communist state..." Thaksin, Abhisit and of course the Army, who are really in charge, repeatedly profess strong anti communist opinions as well.

There are a few small fringe groups who publish little read communist material but all the serious socialist union leaders and academics (like Giles "Ji" Ungpakorn) have already been exiled or threatened with violence if they don't desist.

Thailand is about as far from being communist as any other country on the planet.

PR-based fabrications aside (coup, government - yawn), have seen these magazines available all over the city including outside my office. But yeah, can't say I've seen many people openly reading them.

[somtampet]

Thailand is becoming a communist state no doubt about that.

What a statement. Thailand, whose government was installed by coup, is ultra elitist, ultra capitalist, ultra pro monarchy, historically virulently anti communist, wary of its communist neighbours in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China and who would quickly be voted out in a fair election, is, in your opinion, "becoming a communist state..." Thaksin, Abhisit and of course the Army, who are really in charge, repeatedly profess strong anti communist opinions as well.

There are a few small fringe groups who publish little read communist material but all the serious socialist union leaders and academics (like Giles "Ji" Ungpakorn) have already been exiled or threatened with violence if they don't desist.

Thailand is about as far from being communist as any other country on the planet.

Communism is one of those words that often gets thrown about liberally. How many people really understand what it means though i wonder.

So any communist country havent got the elitists and the corruption for the few,just the same as the Thai rich

[rubl]

From wikipedia, the easy source of information although not necessarily completely true:

A communist state is a sovereign state with a form of government characterized by single-party rule or dominant-party rule of a communist party and a professed allegiance to a communist ideology as the guiding principle of the state.

(reason for edit: remove quoted posts)

Edited September 10, 2010 by rubl

[rixalex]

So any communist country havent got the elitists and the corruption for the few,just the same as the Thai rich

Come again.

[rubl]

So any communist country havent got the elitists and the corruption for the few,just the same as the Thai rich

Come again.

Don't get distracted. 'somtampet' started with "Thailand is becoming a communist state no doubt about that." That's why I quoted the wikipedia definition for 'communist state".

The question to somtampet now, is: please explain what definition you use to define Thailand as becoming a communist state?

[Groongthep]

So any communist country havent got the elitists and the corruption for the few,just the same as the Thai rich

Sure, all the communist countries have some corruption by their elites as well but it's nothing in comparison to the scale of greed demonstrated by the privileged in Thailand.

[chainarong]

Speaking out in Thailand has never been any trouble , just depends what you are speaking about.

[somtampet]

So any communist country havent got the elitists and the corruption for the few,just the same as the Thai rich

Sure, all the communist countries have some corruption by their elites as well but it's nothing in comparison to the scale of greed demonstrated by the privileged in Thailand.

I agree that the thai elite are probably the most greedy people on this planet,no thought for the majority of very poor thais and a complete disregard for law and order.The amount of banned websites and the throttling of broadband download speeds is the start of a north korea style management.New job creation is for the elite family,whether they can do the job or not,exam results for hi-so sons/daughters are made up to look much better than they are.

I call that a form of communism and it will come in my lifetime i am sure

[rubl]

So any communist country havent got the elitists and the corruption for the few,just the same as the Thai rich

Sure, all the communist countries have some corruption by their elites as well but it's nothing in comparison to the scale of greed demonstrated by the privileged in Thailand.

I agree that the thai elite are probably the most greedy people on this planet,no thought for the majority of very poor thais and a complete disregard for law and order.The amount of banned websites and the throttling of broadband download speeds is the start of a north korea style management.New job creation is for the elite family,whether they can do the job or not,exam results for hi-so sons/daughters are made up to look much better than they are.

I call that a form of communism and it will come in my lifetime i am sure

How broad do you see 'Thai elite'? does it include K. Thaksin and his hi-so children who can only find their shopping items in the original shops in Paris ?

[rixalex]

I agree that the thai elite are probably the most greedy people on this planet,no thought for the majority of very poor thais and a complete disregard for law and order.The amount of banned websites and the throttling of broadband download speeds is the start of a north korea style management.New job creation is for the elite family,whether they can do the job or not,exam results for hi-so sons/daughters are made up to look much better than they are.

I call that a form of communism and it will come in my lifetime i am sure

Capitalism is very much alive and well in Thailand.

I think what you are doing is looking for a bad word to describe the system here that you hate, and communism seems a convenient label to slap on it - with all the negative connotations it carries - but the word simply doesn't fit. If you think it does i would question your understanding of what a communist state really is.