No Discussion Of The Monarchy In Political Context

[cdnvic]

Many people have been losing their posting rights or receiving suspensions because they continue to make comments on the Monarchy, and members of the Thai Royal Family in a political context. This is in violation of Thai law which explicitly states that The Monarchy is above politics.

- Do not make any accusations about any individual's or groups' loyalty toward The Monarchy.

- Do not speculate on the opinions of any member of The Royal Family.

- Do not discuss succession or speculate on the future of The Monarchy.

This includes hinting at, joking about, or using innuendo about the above, or referring people to outside information containing such things.

While we do not wish to needlessly restrict discussion of current events in Thailand, it's necessary that we put the above restrictions in place to ensure that local laws and customs are honoured, and the forum remains a viable news source for Thailand's expat community.

You may see some news articles referring to such things, but remember that they have expensive legal teams that vet the quotations first, and you/we don't.

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

The moderating team.

[cdnvic]

Thai web editor denies online royal insult charges

BANGKOK, September 21, 2011 (AFP) - A prominent Thai website editor facing up to 20 years in jail appeared in court Wednesday to defend herself against charges relating to remarks about the monarchy posted by other people on her website.

Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the editor of the popular Prachatai news website, denied allegations that she did not remove ten online posts perceived as critical to the monarchy quickly enough in 2008.

She told the Bangkok Criminal Court that she "immediately" blocked any comments flagged as "improper" by the Information and Communication Technology ministry.

Chiranuch described a sharp increase in online activity in the wake of a 2006 military coup that sparked five years of political turmoil in Thailand.

"Various comments were posted on our web board which reflected the political situation at that time. They were intensely political and there were stronger opinions which opposed the coup," she said.

She said up to 30,000 users a day visited the Prachatai web forum between 2007 and 2008, more than ten times previous levels.

Chiranuch, who faces a second trial under Thailand's controversial royal insult and computer laws, said the site voluntarily removed about three percent of all posts during this time.

The Internet forum was closed in July 2010 amid concerns over a crackdown on commentators following deadly anti-government "Red Shirt" street protests in Bangkok.

The monarchy is a highly sensitive topic in politically turbulent Thailand. King Bhumibol Adulyadej​, the world's longest reigning monarch and revered as a demi-god by many Thais, has been hospitalised since September 2009.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2011-09-21 | AFP News Sponsor

Published with written approval from AFP.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/499956-thai-web-editor-denies-online-royal-insult-charges/