CRES Lifts Ban On Material Satirising Thailand's Political Elite

[webfact]

REDS

CRES lifts ban on material satirising political elite

By THE NATION

The Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation yesterday agreed to lift the ban on satirical items created by protesters to insult the political elite, as CRES spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said it had found no violators of the regulation - despite reports of arrests.

The authority had prohibited distribution of political material such as rubber sandals with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's face on them, as such items might create divisions in society. Security officials had the authority to confiscate such items.

However, civic groups criticised the order, saying it violated Thais' basic rights, and claiming such satire would never cause social divides.

The criticism was raised after reported arrests of vendors who sold flip-flops with Abhisit's face on them during red-shirt rallies, including the gathering last week at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong Intersection.

The prime minister urged the CRES to review the order, as it was against freedom of expression.

While such items could be regarded as defamation, they had nothing to do with national security or social order, he said.

However, Sansern said the decision to lift the ban was made because the authority had found nobody was in actual violation of the order, and not because of public opinion or the prime minister's instruction.

"Our intelligence indicates that no such item really exists in the market," he said. "If we find anybody distributing such material, we will issue a new order to ban it again."

-- The Nation 2010-11-27

[LaoPo]

GOOD...to lift the ban on satirical material, BUT

""Our intelligence indicates that no such item really exists in the market," he said. "If we find anybody distributing such material, we will issue a new order to ban it again."

What a bloody nonsense, implement a lift on a ban because there's nothing to ban but we will ban again if it shows up.

So much for a step towards more democracy

LaoPo

[Thailand]

One step forward two steps back.

[random]

clueless, and people still think they were in control in april/may and not just randomly shooting people.

[jayboy]

It would be encouraging if we heard even one message from the apologists for repression that CRES is an affront to civil liberties, and in any event has ludicrously overstepped its role.That's why it has been deservedly bitchslapped by Abhisit.I suppose the apologists are too busy chattering among themselves and spinning about how the Reds actually slaughtered themselves in Bangkok earlier this year.Fortunately that conversation is limited to one or two reactionaries.A tale full of sound and fury signifying nothing.

[Pi Sek]

I suppose the apologists are too busy chattering among themselves and spinning about how the Reds actually slaughtered themselves in Bangkok earlier this year.Fortunately that conversation is limited to one or two reactionaries.

Well, I suppose I'm one of those "one or two reactionaries" - I know several thousand more and I by no means claim to know them all. I know you're opinion is rather... opinionated... (much like mine, I suppose), but I have witnessed that you have been shown lots and lots of pretty incriminating and damning footage. Is it all fake, doctored, propaganda, spun...? Sorry, for me - no way. For you - well, that's up to you.

Although I agree that "CRES ... has ludicrously overstepped its role". I'd even go so far as to add that their role is becoming less necessary, and some might say they're "fighting for their survival" by showing that they're still needed to be the voice of reason against PC liberals like this Abhisit chap. I think that's taking it a bit far, but there might be an element of truth to it.

[Insight]

It would be encouraging if we heard even one message from the apologists for repression that CRES is an affront to civil liberties, and in any event has ludicrously overstepped its role.That's why it has been deservedly bitchslapped by Abhisit.I suppose the apologists are too busy chattering among themselves and spinning about how the Reds actually slaughtered themselves in Bangkok earlier this year.Fortunately that conversation is limited to one or two reactionaries.A tale full of sound and fury signifying nothing.

I think there's more than one or two of us.

And in any event, if Abhisit didn't request CRES lift the ban you know as well as I do it would still be in place today, regardless of whether such items were available for sale or not.

Two red-spun myths blown out the water this week - the PAD are the government and the military are the ones pulling all the strings. Evidently not the case on both counts this week.

[hammered]

It is like something from a political satire.

[Northman061]

The CRES was created to deal with a "National Enmergency". Its powers were only to be used during these "Emegencies", and only when National safety and security was threatened.

It has now gone beyond its own guidlines and job

description. It is not a general "law making" entity, it is not a long term autonomous entity, it is a short term tool, used, then returned back to the tool box!

The CRES must not to become a fixture on the Thai political/Military map, and its recent actions prove that its time of "need" has long past.

It must go.Now!

[jayboy]

It would be encouraging if we heard even one message from the apologists for repression that CRES is an affront to civil liberties, and in any event has ludicrously overstepped its role.That's why it has been deservedly bitchslapped by Abhisit.I suppose the apologists are too busy chattering among themselves and spinning about how the Reds actually slaughtered themselves in Bangkok earlier this year.Fortunately that conversation is limited to one or two reactionaries.A tale full of sound and fury signifying nothing.

I think there's more than one or two of us.

And in any event, if Abhisit didn't request CRES lift the ban you know as well as I do it would still be in place today, regardless of whether such items were available for sale or not.

Two red-spun myths blown out the water this week - the PAD are the government and the military are the ones pulling all the strings. Evidently not the case on both counts this week.

As to the myths "blown out of the water":

1.Nobody I know, whether red sympathiser or not, has not thought for some time that PAD has been marginalised.Siripon - definitely not a red sympathiser! - (an "opponent" who has excellent background knowledge and intelligence) has been making this point for several months.PAD was a useful attack dog for a time and was used for that purpose.No longer needed now, or anything like the same extent.

2.The army continues to be a major factor in Thai politics.One can have a reasonable debate whether it pulls all the strings (probably not in my view) but it still pulls plenty of them.

[junkofdavid2]

Thai Law: It's allowed if nobody does it, but it's banned if someone does it.

[hammered]

It would be encouraging if we heard even one message from the apologists for repression that CRES is an affront to civil liberties, and in any event has ludicrously overstepped its role.That's why it has been deservedly bitchslapped by Abhisit.I suppose the apologists are too busy chattering among themselves and spinning about how the Reds actually slaughtered themselves in Bangkok earlier this year.Fortunately that conversation is limited to one or two reactionaries.A tale full of sound and fury signifying nothing.

I think there's more than one or two of us.

And in any event, if Abhisit didn't request CRES lift the ban you know as well as I do it would still be in place today, regardless of whether such items were available for sale or not.

Two red-spun myths blown out the water this week - the PAD are the government and the military are the ones pulling all the strings. Evidently not the case on both counts this week.

As to the myths "blown out of the water":

1.Nobody I know, whether red sympathiser or not, has not thought for some time that PAD has been marginalised.Siripon - definitely not a red sympathiser! - (an "opponent" who has excellent background knowledge and intelligence) has been making this point for several months.PAD was a useful attack dog for a time and was used for that purpose.No longer needed now, or anything like the same extent.

2.The army continues to be a major factor in Thai politics.One can have a reasonable debate whether it pulls all the strings (probably not in my view) but it still pulls plenty of them.

I would say the military are the most powerful player in Thai politics if they decide to play, after all they have the ultimate veto. Right now they are obviously playing to some degree. The current government which is an alliance of convenience between two groups that ar enot natural allies with a further group who would happily join any governmet to get their hands on power and money. The relationship between the army and the BJT and the army and the Dems also seems to have shifted since the change in leadership.

I would agree the military doesnt pull all the strings and even think Abhisit has at times manouvered for his agenda which differs from theirs. The recent threat of disolution was probably one case. In the Thai media and forums there has been a lot of coup gossip ongoing for quite some time now and a coup wouldnt be bring the PTP to power. That with Abhisit talking disolutions probably as much as anything shows tension between the military which is a lot more unified now than a year ago and part of the government. I guess but wouldnt really know that the military are happy now that the single seat change is on its way, and the cracks appearing in PTP. Interesting piece on the back page of the unmentionable news source today about Chiang Mai too.

[Crushdepth]

The authority had prohibited distribution of political material such as rubber sandals with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's face on them, as such items might create divisions in society. Security officials had the authority to confiscate such items.

Idiots.

[Thai at Heart]

The only ever present factor in Thai politics is the army. They can't help themselves. They just can't bear to be ignored and stick to only what they are meant to do.

Political parties have come and gone, some of the major political players today are ex army. As someone mentioned, they may not run the government 100%, but you can pretty much guarantee that if any government gets too far out of line, the army will step in.

The absurdity of flip flops and pictures shows that they are starting to feel that someone isn't paying them enough attention.

Edited November 27, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[asiawatcher]

clueless, and people still think they were in control in april/may and not just randomly shooting people.

CRES shot no-one, Red Shirts and Army did and both are liable. But nothing has been done of course.

[Insight]

1.Nobody I know, whether red sympathiser or not, has not thought for some time that PAD has been marginalised.Siripon - definitely not a red sympathiser! - (an "opponent" who has excellent background knowledge and intelligence) has been making this point for several months.PAD was a useful attack dog for a time and was used for that purpose.No longer needed now, or anything like the same extent.

Although (very) slowly fading a popular line of attack with red sympathisers on the forum is to tarnish any government/Abhisit supports as being "yellow". After the words of a few PAD leaders this week such gross simplifications no longer have any grounds whatsoever.

I personally don't believe people who are not red shirt supporters (in their various yellow and non-yellow forms) would be happy to CRES disbanded just yet either. Not until some confidence in the local plod has been restored, or initially created.

[jayboy]

1.Nobody I know, whether red sympathiser or not, has not thought for some time that PAD has been marginalised.Siripon - definitely not a red sympathiser! - (an "opponent" who has excellent background knowledge and intelligence) has been making this point for several months.PAD was a useful attack dog for a time and was used for that purpose.No longer needed now, or anything like the same extent.

Although (very) slowly fading a popular line of attack with red sympathisers on the forum is to tarnish any government/Abhisit supports as being "yellow". After the words of a few PAD leaders this week such gross simplifications no longer have any grounds whatsoever.

I personally don't believe people who are not red shirt supporters (in their various yellow and non-yellow forms) would be happy to CRES disbanded just yet either. Not until some confidence in the local plod has been restored, or initially created.

When you talk about "red sympathisers" in the country at large (or even on this forum) you are dealing with a very wide political spectrum indeed.You are courting...well, gross simplification.

PAD has been losing influence for well over a year.I'm not sure recent events have had a major influence on that trend: they are notable I think mainly because Abhisit gave such a public rebuke.Abhisit remains well tied in to the most influential circles.You can be quite sure his now open indifference to PAD's hysterics reflect establishment views, or at least the establishment's unwillingness to give unqualified support as in the past.

On the subject of CRES, I'm fairly confident what gives it continued support from the establishment is the realisation that public attitudes, views, diversity of opinion etc in Thailand now diverge enormously from the official establishment line.Everything is being questioned and the mass censorship of the internet is I think not effective.All this is encouraging or frightening depending on where one stands.

[pogal]

They really don't need people satirizing them when they make such dicks of themselves anyway LOL

[Insight]

When you talk about "red sympathisers" in the country at large (or even on this forum) you are dealing with a very wide political spectrum indeed.You are courting...well, gross simplification.

I'm referring specifically to on this forum along with other online media. Tell you what - I'll point it out the next time the word "yellow" is mentioned.

On the subject of CRES, I'm fairly confident what gives it continued support from the establishment is the realisation that public attitudes, views, diversity of opinion etc in Thailand now diverge enormously from the official establishment line.Everything is being questioned and the mass censorship of the internet is I think not effective.All this is encouraging or frightening depending on where one stands.

Am personally very curious about this so called "mass censorship". Obviously laws prevent revealing what sites these are, but the numbers can be mentioned - Can you give me some idea of the figures involved and whether the majority of sites are in Thai or English?

[jayjay0]

clueless, and people still think they were in control in april/may and not just randomly shooting people.

CRES shot no-one, Red Shirts and Army did and both are liable. But nothing has been done of course.

Talk talk talk

That is what is being done.

Fact of the matter is what can be done?

Hang Thaksin and his hirelings?

Will it happen no, so just talk talk talk

Try to justify it if you are mentally challenged or a red shirt.

Will it make a difference NO

It happened and it is time to move on.

Thaksin is no longer in charge.All though he certainly controls some people's thinking. He can no longer pay them. Not that he paid them all in the first place a lot of them he cheated out of there pay.

[monkfish]

The question I ask myself is will Abhisit be able to put CRES back in its box once it's no longer needed?

[Thai at Heart]

The question I ask myself is will Abhisit be able to put CRES back in its box once it's no longer needed?

That is the next battle.

I don't think the CRES is going to go quietly. Since when did any organisation voluntarily give up power in any country?

[jayboy]

Am personally very curious about this so called "mass censorship". Obviously laws prevent revealing what sites these are, but the numbers can be mentioned - Can you give me some idea of the figures involved and whether the majority of sites are in Thai or English?

I attach a copy of a letter dated 10th November sent by the Coordinator of Freedom against Censorship Thailand (FACT) to the PM.I hope this gives you a flavour of the censorship activity.

10th November 2010

The Hon. Abhisit Vejjajiva

Prime Minister

Government House

Bangkok BY HAND

Mr. Prime Minister:

According to your government’s official media releases from April 15 to today, 283,610 websites are blocked by your government.

Our website Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) has been blocked since May 9, more than six months. We host no illegal or even uncivil content.

It is ironic that an anti-censorship website should itself be censored by government.

What does a citizen do to get their website unblocked? I have been in contact with your ICT minister, your deputy prime minister will not return my calls and the military authorities at your CRES and CAPO are simply unreachable by the ordinary citizen.

Mr. Prime Minister, what about Chiranuch Premchaiporn, facing 60-years in prison under the Computer Crimes Act for statements she did not herself pose?

We wish to continue discussion of these issues with you and see our website unblocked now.

freedom,

CJ Hinke

Coordinator

Freedom Against Censorship Thailand FACT)

[TheyCallmeScooter]

The question I ask myself is will Abhisit be able to put CRES back in its box once it's no longer needed?

On the basis of the developments of the past few days, do you think he'll be able to? Reckon he's up to the job?

Perhaps more to the point, how could you not? Remember, this isn't Abhisit v Utopian Altruistic Superman. It's Abhisit v (a legitimate alternative).

Speaking of which, is there even one?

[Buchholz]

Am personally very curious about this so called "mass censorship". Obviously laws prevent revealing what sites these are, but the numbers can be mentioned - Can you give me some idea of the figures involved and whether the majority of sites are in Thai or English?

freedom,

CJ Hinke

Coordinator

Freedom Against Censorship Thailand FACT)

Party on, dude.

CJ Hinke (center in black T-shirt) lamenting over the Deputy Prime Minister not returning his phone calls.

.

Edited November 27, 2010 by Buchholz

[jayboy]

Am personally very curious about this so called "mass censorship". Obviously laws prevent revealing what sites these are, but the numbers can be mentioned - Can you give me some idea of the figures involved and whether the majority of sites are in Thai or English?

freedom,

CJ Hinke

Coordinator

Freedom Against Censorship Thailand FACT)

Party on, dude.

CJ Hinke (center in black T-shirt) lamenting over the Deputy Prime Minister not returning his phone calls.

.

Lord Haw Haw tactics for sure.Does some small part of you understand how creepy your last post was?

[philw]

The question I ask myself is will Abhisit be able to put CRES back in its box once it's no longer needed?

I doubt it and that's the big problem coming

[whybother]

Am personally very curious about this so called "mass censorship". Obviously laws prevent revealing what sites these are, but the numbers can be mentioned - Can you give me some idea of the figures involved and whether the majority of sites are in Thai or English?

freedom,

CJ Hinke

Coordinator

Freedom Against Censorship Thailand FACT)

Party on, dude.

CJ Hinke (center in black T-shirt) lamenting over the Deputy Prime Minister not returning his phone calls.

.

Lord Haw Haw tactics for sure.Does some small part of you understand how creepy your last post was?

Creepy?????

[TheyCallmeScooter]

The question I ask myself is will Abhisit be able to put CRES back in its box once it's no longer needed?

I doubt it and that's the big problem coming

Is there someone you have in mind that you believe stands a better chance of doing so?

[Buchholz]

Am personally very curious about this so called "mass censorship". Obviously laws prevent revealing what sites these are, but the numbers can be mentioned - Can you give me some idea of the figures involved and whether the majority of sites are in Thai or English?

freedom,

CJ Hinke

Coordinator

Freedom Against Censorship Thailand FACT)

Party on, dude.

CJ Hinke (center in black T-shirt) lamenting over the Deputy Prime Minister not returning his phone calls.

.

Lord Haw Haw tactics for sure.Does some small part of you understand how creepy your last post was?

Drinking buddy of yours?

Perhaps if he changed ISP's, he wouldn't have a problem. I can access his blog website without any difficulty whatsoever. Perhaps that's what the Deputy PM did and wondered what he was raving about.

.

Edited November 27, 2010 by Buchholz