Crackdown On Internet

[likewise]

Internet crackdown a la Thaksin:

More than five million websites to be Blocked

"Inappropriate material"

BANGKOK: -- The government will launch a crackdown on pornographic material, offensive cartoons and Internet websites that contain inappropriate material, the government spokesman said yesterday.

Surapong Suebwonglee said more than five million websites from around the world feature rape in their content, causing widespread alarm among relevant authorities.

“There are also games about rape,” he said after he raised his concerns at the Cabinet meeting yesterday.

He said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is now planning to supervise the crackdown on pornography and has already demanded to see clear results from relevant authorities by December.

Surapong said the crackdown would target pornographic material, cartoons and websites. He believed technological systems must be in place to block pornographic websites operated overseas, while relevant officials would nail down and arrest operators of the offending sites in Thailand.

“With sincere effort from all relevant parties, the severity of the problem should dramatically drop,” he said.

One word : DICTATORSHIP, that's all it is, press can't write what they like and TV cannot say the truth about the problems in the South. If I remember my history lessons well this seems very similar to how dictators start?

I think it's time that Thai people realise that Taksin is not good for their country and misleading them  . I better stop writing before he blocks this site as well.

--The Nation 2005-10-19

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[astral]

Not jet, just block all sites starting with "www" and unblock sites ending with com.th

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And you thought you were joking????????????????????????

[ChiangMaiMike]

I was curious about Thai genealogy... Like how many people were decendants of Thai Kings back in the good ol' days when 58-73 official wives were common.

I found I couldn't access a site that listed many of the offspring. My friend in America could. I tried again and had another person here try repeatedly as well and we never got through.

I assume it was blocked... and I can't really understand why... but I guess someone perhaps knows better than I do what I should see.

Slippery slope indeed.

I also read that Thailand was upset with the Google Earth and I think was considering blocking it because it was a security threat... Now that is a site I would REALLY miss.

Perhaps next would be to block news and information about H5N1 as people might panic... Remember Mr. T admitted to doing that earlier? Denied it's existance here for a couple of weeks I think... Wondered why, but I'm sure he had good reasons.

I Love the internet and freedom of information... Don't think most Thais will be too concerned about this however... food, clothing and shelter seem to be more important worries than civil rights and liberties, is my guess, but maybe it is a cultural thing.

[cutter007]

C'mon guys, It's their country. They are allowed to govern it as they wish. Sometimes I think we (the collective we who do not hold Thai passports) forget we are guests here in Thailand. If things of this nature irritate you too much, perhaps it's time to return to your home countries.

Plus, if you really need the porn, take a trip to Panthip or Silom Road. Plenty is available there...  

j.

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I finally decided to write something about posts like this, as I see similar posts on many boards.

If I hold a Thai passport, do I get to complain?

Why me, because I held a visa for a number of years and then took a stupid 15 minute test, which of course a passing grade can be bought.

People should complain whether they have a Thai citizenship or not.

Especially, foreigners that work over here, and pay taxes.

I probably pay more in tax to the Thai government than a whole Ampur in Isaan.

I feel that fact far outweighs my right to complain, than my Thai passport.

Thaksin is not Thai, he's Chinese, so is he a guest also? Oh thats right, he's a citizen. So I guess you need to be born here with parents that already have Thai citizenship to complain is that the formula?

Countries have no business censoring the internet. That is what makes the internet the wonderful tool it is, not because you can download songs for free, or flirt with some girl from Shanghai, but because it is an open exchange of knowledge and ideas. The key word being open.

Thailand definitly doesn't have any business messing with the internet, it's to complicated for them, and they will only wind up making it look like there road system, 70% of the people on there way to making a U-turn somewhere.

If cement, straight lines and traffic lights are too complicated for you, firewalls and routing tables are way out of your league.

Edited October 19, 2005 by cutter007

[Upcountry]

Of course, if 7-11 had a porn site, they’d find a way to defy the block…

This porn-site blocking seems like a typical over-reaction, or inappropriate response (barring liquor sales in the afternoon, making things worse in the south). Blocking all “porn” sites is not the way to keep kiddies and bad people from viewing them. In the US, libraries are asked to be careful what their patrons can view (controversial) but one is allowed to view what one wants in the privacy of one’s home.

Yes, it is a freedom of speech/thought/information issue.

Anyone read Shawn Crispin’s article in Monday’s Bangkok Post analysis section? Crispin says that the recent attempt to buy shares in Thai newspaper companies by a government crony indicates a desire by TRT to mold Thailand in the image of Singapore and Malaysia. They want the media to be in line with them. The community radio issue shows this as well.

So, filtering the internet is one more way to accomplish the "Singapore-ization" of Thailand.

Oh, don’t be surprised if your email is sniffed, and your visa is denied for something you said via email or here on Thaivisa! Am I joking?

Edited October 19, 2005 by Upcountry

[robenroute]

C'mon guys, It's their country. They are allowed to govern it as they wish. Sometimes I think we (the collective we who do not hold Thai passports) forget we are guests here in Thailand. If things of this nature irritate you too much, perhaps it's time to return to your home countries.

Plus, if you really need the porn, take a trip to Panthip or Silom Road. Plenty is available there... 

j.

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I finally decided to write something about posts like this, as I see similar posts on many boards.

If I hold a Thai passport, do I get to complain?

Why me, because I held a visa for a number of years and then took a stupid 15 minute test, which of course a passing grade can be bought.

People should complain whether they have a Thai citizenship or not.

Especially, foreigners that work over here, and pay taxes.

I probably pay more in tax to the Thai government than a whole Ampur in Isaan.

I feel that fact far outweighs my right to complain, than my Thai passport.

Thaksin is not Thai, he's Chinese, so is he a guest also? Oh thats right, he's a citizen. So I guess you need to be born here with parents that already have Thai citizenship to complain is that the formula?

Countries have no business censoring the internet. That is what makes the internet the wonderful tool it is, not because you can download songs for free, or flirt with some girl from Shanghai, but because it is an open exchange of knowledge and ideas. The key word being open.

Thailand definitly doesn't have any business messing with the internet, it's to complicated for them, and they will only wind up making it look like there road system, 70% of the people on there way to making a U-turn somewhere.

If cement, straight lines and traffic lights are too complicated for you, firewalls and routing tables are way out of your league.

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&lt;deleted&gt;' well spoken!

Edited October 19, 2005 by robenroute

[ChiangMaiMike]

I remember years ago seeing many bumper stickers in America that said "America-Love it or Leave it"... I wonder if JoefromDC used to sport one on his car?

Don't know how any farang could forget they are a guest here... but does being a guest mean you shouldn't complain about something you don't like?

Maybe it will soon be illegal to complain about the government...

There are already taboo topics here... easy to add more.

Gotta remember Joe it's not a simple black and white thing... On the whole I still prefer living here to America... but it could change.

I also don't like the air pollution... Maybe I should just stop breathing?

[jaapfries]

Internet crackdown a la Thaksin:

More than five million websites to be Blocked

"Inappropriate material"

He said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is now planning to supervise the crackdown on pornography and has already demanded to see clear results from relevant authorities by December.

=================================================

I think it would be MUCH better for this Kingdom, if it decided to "block" the Toxin . . . . . . . .

He's getting away with stuff that would've made A. Hitler proud ! This is getting ridiculous !

Too bad all this "smutt" wasn't passing through one of his "monopoly-ventures" because then NOTHING would be blocked . . . . .

T.I.T. ('This Is Toxin')

[beammeup]

From what I can see they are trying to block sights with rape scenes. There has been a lot of press lately in the post about child abuse and child rape and from what my wife tells me it is not uncommon here in LOS. From what you guys are saying he is already blocking lots of other crap. So who cares! I just hope he takes further steps to address this issue.

[stumonster]

Will this effect TV?

I should think the answer will be Yes and No.

Those of us who live overseas will be OK,

but you guys in LOS may loose your link to sanity.

You have better make a note of the ip address for the site

69.93.125.25 and use that instead of www.thaivisa.com

or 1163754777

[Miami Bob]

Blocking sites promoting rape does not sound like such a bad thing as futile an attempt as it may be. What bothers me far more is the PM sueing and bringing crimimal charges against Thai newpapers for printing unfavorble articles about him. In the one case the paper just reprinted an article written by a monk critisizing the government. Doesn't that sound like nazi germany or North Korea?

One post mentioned that music might be next. In Venezuala president Chaves just passed a law FORCING radio stations to play latin music a certain percentage of the time.

[Upcountry]

Website censorship in Thailand: http://2bangkok.com/blocked.shtml

Silenced - Thailand (21/09/2003): http://www.privacyinternational.org/articl...5D=x-347-103785

Government wrong to block websites: http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=26164

CENSORING THE INTERNET IN THAILAND: http://www.camblab.com/nugget/block/block_01.htm

Reporters Sans Frontiers: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=7251

[cutter007]

Why doesn't Thailand just get rid of the Internet altogether, that

would solve the problem?

Then they could move on to Thaksins campaign to eliminate poverty.................I suggest we fix that with the same method, and just eliminate money in Thailand.

Ah Thailand my sweet friend, yet again you want the butter but you don't want to milk the cow.

Censorship = ignorance

Edited October 19, 2005 by cutter007

[cclub75]

I think we are over reacting a little bit....

It is just another "plan", "announcement", "idea", "revelation" or "joke" that Thaksin is used to give to the world. And to Thailand (rather 2 differents concepts).

So why bother ?

Personnaly, I love the "figures". As always thais consider that they have to put figures to gain credibility. 5 millions websites promoting rape. Wouah. This is impressive.

I guess somebody has counted.

More seriously, you have to remember the big difference between China and Thailand. Chinese talk and... do. Thais... just chat.

[melus]

A crackdown on this, a crackdown on that. Society is so evil. Or is it the fascist government telling us that we are.

[udonthani]

C'mon guys, It's their country. They are allowed to govern it as they wish. Sometimes I think we (the collective we who do not hold Thai passports) forget we are guests here in Thailand. If things of this nature irritate you too much, perhaps it's time to return to your home countries.

Plus, if you really need the porn, take a trip to Panthip or Silom Road. Plenty is available there... 

j.

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Good talking, please remember we are only guests in this beautiful country. We have an old saying going like this: If you do not like the smell in the bakery , then find another.

I have the feeling that many of you writers are old grumblings and Thailand is the last resort for you. Wake up and get yourself a life.

Udonthani

[dezeure]

5.000.000 to be blocked...... :D

Someone's gonna be busy for the next 20 years!

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###### right about that one... and who is gonna check those 5 million that they didn't change adresses...

LMAO keep wishing Toxin... When are the new elections? or are you gonna block those too

[BPayette]

What??? Is nobody going to welcome Thailand becoming a hub of Internet Blocking???

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[sbk]

C'mon guys, It's their country. They are allowed to govern it as they wish. Sometimes I think we (the collective we who do not hold Thai passports) forget we are guests here in Thailand. If things of this nature irritate you too much, perhaps it's time to return to your home countries.

Plus, if you really need the porn, take a trip to Panthip or Silom Road. Plenty is available there... 

j.

Good talking, please remember we are only guests in this beautiful country. We have an old saying going like this: If you do not like the smell in the bakery , then find another.

I have the feeling that many of you writers are old grumblings and Thailand is the last resort for you. Wake up and get yourself a life.

Udonthani

This is such a boring old argument. And has been hashed and rehashed a million times and usually brought forth by people who have not spent that much time here.

Many Thai people are unhappy with the direction their govt is taking but, like so many other places in the world, feel helpless to change things as entrenched interests usually get their own way.

[torgate]

We have had plenty of time to prepare. It will only help increaseanon/security surfing needs,also increase knowledge of these forThai surfers/programmers/developers.

Section 34 of the 1997 Constitution states, "A person's family rights, dignity, reputation or his right to privacy shall be protected. The assertion or circulation of a statement or picture in any manner whatsoever to the public, which violates or affects a person's family rights, dignity, reputation or the right of privacy, shall not be made except for the case which is beneficial to the public." Section 37 states, "Persons have the freedom to communicate with one another by lawful means. Search, detention or exposure of lawful communication materials between persons, as well as actions by other means so as to snoop into the contents of the communications materials between persons, is prohibited unless it is done by virtue of the power vested in a provision of the law specifically for the purpose of maintaining national security or for the purpose of maintaining peace and order or good public morality." Section 58 states, "A person shall have the right to get access to public information in possession of a State agency, State enterprise or local government organization, unless the disclosure of such information shall affect the security of the State, public safety or interests of other persons which shall be protected as provided by law."[1]

The National Information Technology Committee (NITC) approved plans in February 1998 for a series of information technology laws. Six sub-committees under the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre were set up to draft the following bills: E-Commerce Law, EDI Law, Privacy Data Protection Law, Computer Crime Law, Electronics Digital Signature Law, Electronics Fund Transfer Law and Universal Access Law. All six bills were reportedly submitted to the Cabinet in January 2000.[2] In July 2000, the Cabinet approved, the Electronic Transactions Bill, a combined electronic commerce and digital signature measure.[3] The bill was finally passed by Parliament in October 2001[4] and became effective in April 2002.[5] The law allows electronic documents to be used as evidence in court and make digital signatures legally binding. Many state and governmental rules and regulations have been revised to allow electronic documents as legal evidence. The E-Commerce Act and the Credit Bureau Act have been enacted and entered into force in 2002. As of July 2003, the Privacy Data Protection Law is still under consideration by the Cabinet and is being debated in relation with the 1997 Official Information Act.

Work has been under way for several years on a draft data protection law but so far it has not been introduced in Parliament. The draft is based on eight principles of data protection, including consent, notice, purpose specification and use limitation, accuracy, access, security and enforcement.[6] The law would also establish a data protection committee. The Association of Thai Computer Industry has said that it would welcome the introduction of a data protection law.[7] A survey of Internet service providers (ISP) subscribers, conducted by the Bangkok Post in November 2001 found that 39 percent of all respondents were concerned about their privacy and possible abuse of personal data provided to their ISP.[8] Recently, two draft privacy protection bills were submitted to the Cabinet, one drafted by the Official Information Commission (OIC) and one by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC). As of June, 2004, both bills were still under consideration in the Cabinet.[9]

A draft of the Computer Crime law was approved, with reservations, by the Prime Minister in May 2002. Under the draft law, the publication of child pornography would be punishable by five years imprisonment and a large fine, and hacking into computer networks with malicious intent would be punishable by two years imprisonment. The law would also criminalize the use of computers for fraudulent purposes. It would grant "State Officers" defined as police and officials of any other organization established by the legislation, widespread powers of search and seizure. The Prime Minister expressed concern about these powers saying that the Council of State would have to review the proposal for infringement of human rights before submitting it to his Cabinet and the Parliament for approval. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies is currently considering the bill.[10] It is expected that the legislation will be enacted soon. According to the drafting committee, the law is based on American and European computer crime laws, including the recent Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention.

In July 2001, the NITC announced its intention to crack down on "inappropriate" content on Web sites. It stated that it was going to introduce new measures requiring ISPs to keep subscribers' log files and caller ID for at least three months, to include a customer responsibility clause in their terms of service, and to react immediately and block access when informed of inappropriate content on web sites. The Royal Police Department was tasked with cooperating with the NITC in enforcing the new measures. It was instructed to work with technical and legal experts in analyzing Web sites, to establish an e-mail hotline, and to monitor all Internet cafés.[11]

In 2003, the Royal Thai Police began working to establish a new branch called the Computer Crime Suppression Center (the Center), to combat the incidence of computer crime in Thailand.[12] Fourteen police officers at the Center will monitor for computer crime, receive reports, and investigate cases, then pass the cases along to local officers.[13] The establishment of the Center comes amid accusations that Thailand has become a haven for cyber-criminals, attracting foreign criminals to Thailand as a base for their operations due to the absence of powerful cyber-crime laws or enforcement procedures.[14] The target crimes include those which are instigated both virtually and physically, including spam, virus and worm infections, hacking, pornography, and online fraud.[15]

Police also believe computers, specifically e-mail and chat room records, are an important sources of evidence in drug and corruption cases.[16] Recently, Thai police became frustrated with the difficulty of gaining access to the computer of a British man arrested in Thailand on charges of distributing pornographic photographs of Thai children using the Internet.[17] The Center plans to increase cooperation with ISPs to track down users suspected of violating the law, citing the "anonymity of users" as a main stumbling block in investigating computer crime.[18] The Center also plans to work with the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation and Central Intelligence Agency and Britain's Scotland Yard for technical assistance and in investigating crimes which trace to other countries.[19]

The Thai National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has also established a Cybersecurity Division, which will be responsible for the NIA's investigations related to computer and Internet technology.[20] The establishment of this Division was reportedly in reaction to world terrorist events such as the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and local cyber-crimes such as the hacking of the eBay website from university computers in southern Thailand.[21]

The Official Information Act was approved in 1997.[22] The Act guarantees access to public information for all citizens and sets a code of information practices for the processing of personal information by state agencies. Section 4 of the Act defines personal information as information relating to "the particular private matters" of a person that can identify that person.[23] The agency must ensure that the system is relevant to, and necessary for, the achievement of the objectives of the operation of the State agency; make efforts to collect information directly from the subject; publish material about its use in the Government Gazette; provide for an appropriate security system; notify such person if information is collected about him or her from a third party; not disclose personal information in his or her control to other State agencies or other persons without prior or immediate consent given in writing except in limited circumstances; and provide rights of access, correction and deletion.

The Official Information Commission (OIC) oversees the Act.[24] The Commission is under the Office of the Prime Minister. In November 2000, Mr. Chungtong Opassiriwit was appointed as the new director of the Commission, following the dismissal of the former director in August 1999. In April 2001, an Information Act Amendment Committee, comprising 18 members was established. The Committee is looking at ways to enforce the Act more efficiently and effectively. In 2004, a draft amendment was submitted to the Cabinet. The Cabinet in return asked the OIC to further consider the controversial issue of whether autonomous agencies established by the Thai Constitution are under the jurisdiction of the Act. As of June, 2004, the OIC was still considering this issue.[25]

In May, 2004, to mark World Press Freedom Day, the Thai Journalists Association and the Thai Broadcast Journalists association released a joint statement urging the government, politicians, journalists, and the general public to recognize and change government policies that impede the free access to information.[26] In their report, the agencies cite such problems as increased government involvement in media outlets through purchase or investment, direct editorial intervention in content provided by media outlets, and lack of efficient enforcement measures of the Official Information Act of 1997.[27] Furthermore, many journalists and public citizens are upset at the long delays for gaining access to public information under the Act due to understaffing at the OIC, especially with respect to matters of urgent public interest such as the recent bird flu epidemic in Asia.[28]

The Central Juvenile and Family Court Act and the Children and Youth Conduct Promotion Act provide protection for the basic rights, including privacy, of children in crime and sexual harassment cases. In September 2001, the Office of the Attorney General issued a statement accusing the media of not respecting these rights.[29]

Under the 1997 Constitution the police are required to obtain a warrant before conducting a search. In practice however, the procedures for obtaining warrants under the Criminal Procedure Code are said to be outdated and warrantless, and overly intrusive searches are not uncommon.[30] In 2002 the Ministry of Justice introduced a bill to establish a Special Investigation Department (SID) . Under the bill, the SID would be authorized to investigate any criminal case and to search people's homes without a warrant. They would also be authorized to conduct body searches if suspects refused to co-operate. In June 2002, a police committee issued a report opposing the proposal saying that it could infringe on individual human rights and could lead to inter-agency conflict.[31]

Phone tapping is a criminal offense under the 1934 Telegraph and Telephone Act.[32] Violators can face up to five years in jail. Wiretaps can be conducted for certain law enforcement purposes upon the issuance of a warrant. Under the Anti-Money Laundering Law of 1999 police are empowered to wiretap the conversations between drug dealers, clients and producers. Illegal wiretapping is common in Thailand.[33] In March 2002, the editor in chief of the leading daily claimed his mobile phone was being bugged by Advanced Info Services Plc, a company owned by the Prime Minister.[34]

This alleged illegal wiretapping by the Prime Minister is said to be part of a much larger campaign to silence the media and other critics of his government. In March 2002 there was widespread controversy when it was revealed that the government's Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) had ordered a secret probe into the assets of prominent media figures and NGO officials. In June 2002, the Thai Administrative Court ruled that these investigations by AMLO were unlawful and a violation of privacy.[35]

The Thai government plans to install digital video surveillance systems in the three southernmost provinces, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.[36] Government officials would be able to be monitor the closed-circuit cameras remotely using the Internet.[37] Police in the southern provinces have reiterated their need for this system after a recent rash of violence attributed to various Islamic groups in the area.[38] Cameras would be installed at district offices, police stations, and in public areas.[39]

In 1997, Thailand began issuing a new national ID card with a magnetic strip. At present, these cards are in use in nine provinces. The computer system links government departments including the Revenue Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. The new ID card can also be used as an ATM card, student card and social welfare card. The government also has plans to link the system with other governments to allow holders to travel in Asian countries without the need for a passport, using only the new card.[40] Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra recently criticized plans by the Social Security Office to issue single purpose smart cards for social security fund members. Instead he encouraged integration of the service into the new ID card.[41] In August 2000, in a move towards greater e-government, the Interior Ministry's Local Administration Department (LAD) developed its own web portal, which will be used to provide a wide range of services to citizens. Citizens register for an e-mail account with khonthai.com by entering their ID card number. Once they have an account and password they can verify data included in their civil registration accounts including their ID card details, name, address and marital status changes, and voting eligibility. The portal site currently hosts government agencies, state enterprises and private sector firms. Political parties providing election information are also listed and the system will eventually be used for e-voting. LAD also intends to introduce the system in over 300 municipal schools in the next few years.[42]

The Thai government is in the process of implementing a system of National ID "Smart Cards" affixed with microchips to replace their previous magnetic strip ID cards.[43] The Smart Cards will be integrated into Thailand's e-government campaign, which aims to provide access to most government services through the Internet, accessible at various kiosks which will be scattered around the country.[44] The ID cards will serve both to provide access to these services and to store personal information about the cardholder.[45] Some personal information will be stored directly on the card itself and some will be accessible in various agency databases, however it is not clear which information will reside in which place. In the initial phase, six government agencies will be prepared to provide 84 different pieces of information to be stored either on the card itself or in a central database.[46] Personal information proposed to be stored on the card includes fingerprints, blood type, drivers license number, parents' names, religion, healthcare data, social security data, and tax data. The information on the card is secured using biometric identification and a public key infrastructure. The official issuance date for the first Smart Cards has been frequently delayed, due in part to unexpectedly high bids for production of the cards, and possibly due to public outcry regarding privacy,[47] but the first few thousand cards were issued in April to government officials and dignitaries in the province of Nonthaburi, just outside Bangkok.[48] The government plans to issue 12 million before the end of 2004, with a total of 63 million (the entire population of Thailand) within two years.[49] It is currently proposed as well to issue Smart Cards to children at birth, instead of waiting until the age of 15 as required under the current magnetic-strip scheme.[50] Residents of the southernmost Thai provinces will be some of the first to receive the new cards, in part to attempt to decrease the incidence of "dual nationalities."[51] Government officials believe some violent Muslim separatists hold both Malaysian and Thai citizenship, avoiding capture by fleeing across the border, and that Smart Cards would help track down these individuals.[52]

Privacy groups and advocates are concerned that the Smart Cards should not be implemented until Thailand has enacted accompanying data protection and computer crime legislation, which would provide sanctions for misuse of personal information by hackers or government officials.[53] Health care providers are concerned in particular about the dangers of storing health data such as HIV status, genetic information, and blood type, both for the potentially serious consequences of privacy violations (such as problems getting health insurance, discrimination based on HIV status) and the immediate health dangers of inaccurate information (such as receiving the wrong type of blood).[54] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission[55] has been vocal in their criticism of the project, focusing on the lack of public understanding regarding the information which will be stored, and the privacy implications therein, and is particularly worried about abuse by government officials and hackers absent any data protection regulations.[56] However, the government is going ahead with the issuance of the cards without having passed any such legislation.[57] The Interior Ministry has responded to criticism by assuring that beyond the information which is required by law (first and last name, date of birth, etc.) cardholders will be able to choose the information which is stored on the card.[58] Despite this assurance, many privacy objections remain, especially in absence of a public information campaign aimed at informing Thai citizens about potential privacy and data abuses, and their choice in the storing of personal information on their Smart Card/

The Official Information Act allows for citizens to obtain government information such as the result of a consideration or a decision which has a direct effect on an individual, work-plan, project and annual expenditure estimates, and manuals or order relating to work procedure of State officials which affect the rights and duties of individuals. Individuals can appeal denials to the OIC. In 2003 the Commission received 206 complaints and 151 requests for appeals.[59] The majority of complaints and appeals concern local (provincial and municipal) public procedures and policies on discipline and punishment.[60] In June 2000, following an investigation by the OIC, the Defense Ministry released an official report on the 1992 bloody Black May military crackdown on political protests.[61]

The 1997 Constitution provided for the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission to supervise, monitor and promote human rights in Thailand. In June 2001, the Senate selected the final two of the 11 member Commission. The members will serve for a period of six years.[62]

[1] Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, 1997, available at <http://www.kpi.ac.th/en/con_th.asp>.

[2] "IT Laws Will Be Reviewed Today- Ready for Cabinet Early Next Month," Bangkok Post, January 20, 2000.

[3] "Cabinet Okays E-commerce Law Draft," The Nation, July 27, 2000.

[4] "Thailand's Parliament Passes Electronic Transactions Law, Bangkok Post, October 30, 2001.

[5] "E-Law Becomes Effective Today but Uncertainties still Remain," Bangkok Post, April 3, 2002.

[6] "Data Protection Laws under Discussion," Bangkok Post, July 4, 2001.

[7] "Industry Body Prods Government on Privacy Issues - Laws Needed to Gain Trust," Bangkok Post, May 10, 2000.

[8] "Slow Links the Biggest Issue that Dial-Up Users Face, but over Two-Thirds Are Satisfied," Bangkok Post, December 12, 2001.

[9] E-mail from Niti Wirudchawong, Office of the Ombudsman, to Tara Wheatland, Law Clerk, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), June 25, 2004 (on file with EPIC).

[10] "New Legislation: Cyber-criminals Targeted," The Nation, May 3, 2002.

[11] "Thailand Moves to Crack Down on Web Content," Newsbytes, July 26, 2001.

[12] "Policing Cyberspace," The Nation, August 25, 2003.

[13] Id.

[14] "Special Unit to Hung Down Internet Felons,"Thaivisa.com, February 17, 2003.

<http://www.thaivisa.com/index.php?514&backPID=10&tt_news=144>

[15] "Policing Cyberspace," The Nation, August 25, 2003.

[16] "Special Unit to Hunt Down Cybercriminals," Computer Crime Research Center.

<http://www.crime-research.org/news/2003/02/Mess2001.htm>.

[17] Id.

[18] "Special Unit to Hung Down Internet Felons,"Thaivisa.com, February 17, 2003.

<http://www.thaivisa.com/index.php?514&backPID=10&tt_news=144>

[19] "Policing Cyberspace," The Nation, August 25, 2003.

[20] Id.

[21] Id.

[22] Official Information Act, B.E. 2540 (1997), available at <http://www.begix.de/informationsfreiheit/foi_thailand.html>.

[23] "Information Access and Privacy Protection in Thailand," Kittisak Prokati, Commissioner, Official Information Commission, Thailand.

[24] Homepage <http://www.oic.thaigov.go.th/>.

[25] E-mail from Niti Wirudchawong, Office of the Ombudsman, to EPIC, June 25, 2004 (on file with EPIC).

[26] "Govt Urged to Remove Constraints," Bangkok Post, May 4, 2004.

[27] Thai Journalists Association, "Summary of the Report on the Media Freedom Situation in 2003" <http://www.tja.or.th/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=106>.

[28] E-mail from Niti Wirudchawong, Office of the Ombudsman, to EPIC, June 25, 2004 (on file with EPIC).

[29] "Media Mistreats Juveniles," Bangkok Post, September 14, 2001

[30] United States Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2001, March 4, 2002 available at <http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/eap/8378.htm>.

[31] "Panel Affirms Opposition to SID Plan," Bangkok Post, June 30, 2002.

[32] Telegraph and Telephone Act, B.E. 2476.

[33] Communications Minister Suthep Thuagsuban told reporters in June 2000, "Tapping telephones is not new in Thailand, everybody knows there is telephone tapping. When you return home you should check your line." "Thai Telecoms Chief Resigns amid Phone Tapping Scandal," Agence France Presse, June 6, 2000.

[34] "Thai Editor Claims his Cell Phone is Bugged," The Straits Times (Singapore), March 15, 2002.

[35] "AMLO: Sinister Criminal Plot and Cover-Up," The Nation, June 27, 2002.

[36] "Surveillance Cameras for the South," The Nation, April 17, 2004.

[37] Id.

[38] "Southern Unrest: Security Increased in Hat Yai," The Nation, May 23, 2004.

[39] "Village Head Killed as Gunmen Launch Attack at Yala Tearoom," Bangkok Post, May 22, 2004.

[40] "Thailand: Issuing Computerized National Identity Cards," Newsbytes, September 8, 1997.

[41] "Thaksin not in Favour of 'Unnecessary' Smart Cards," Bangkok Post, May 27, 2001

[42] "E-Government: Email Accounts Linked to ID card," Bangkok Post, August 2, 2000.

[43] "Electronic ID Cards Coming Soon," The Nation, July 4, 2003.

[44] Id.

[45] Id.

[46] "Agencies Prepare Smart Card Data," Bangkok Post, March 31, 2004.

[47] "Smart Cards: Winning Bid Still Too High, Minister Says," The Nation, March 23, 2004.

[48] "First Thai Smart-Cards Issues to Lucky Citizens," The Nation, April 5, 2004.

[49] "Smart Card Locked Down and Ready to be Issued," The Nation, February 2, 2004.

[50] "Smart Cards: Children to Get Their ID at Birth," The Nation, May 8, 2004.

[51] "Southern Unrest: 'Culprits Finding Refuge in M'asia," Bangkok Post, April 2, 2004.

[52] Id.

[53] "Editorial: Smart Cards Must Come With Laws," The Nation, April 18, 2004.

[54] "E-Citizen Cards: Doctors: Data Open to Abuse," The Nation, March 10, 2004.

[55] <http://www.nhrc.or.th/en/>.

[56] "Agencies Prepare Smart Card Data," Bangkok Post, March 31, 2004.

[57] E-mail from Niti Wirudchawong, Office of the Ombudsman, to Tara Wheatland, Law Clerk, EPIC, June 15, 2004 (on file with EPIC).

[58] "Citizens to Get Say Over Smart Card Data," The Nation, March 12, 2004.

[59] E-mail from Niti Wirudchawong, Office of the Ombudsman, June 15, 2004, supra. Compared to 176 complaints and 117 requests for appeals in 2002, 150 complaints and 88 requests for appeal in 2001, "Your Right to Know," Bangkok Post, April 1, 2002. E-mail on file with EPIC.

[60] Id.

[61] Id.

[62] "Human Rights Commission: Senate Chooses Last Two Panel Members," Bangkok Post, June 2, 2001.

[OZONE]

I check porn sites with my girlfriend, what the hel_l is so wrong about that. Is this America now?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

surely you just kidding. America is the place to be if you want non-censorship of the internet .

This censorship is a good idea, I think the idea is good but executing is another story.

in concurrent with censorshiping the internet, Thailand should also crack down prostitution and the child exploitation. Enough is Enough

Edited October 19, 2005 by OZONE

[makavelithedon]

As a father of a seventeen year old boy, taller and bigger than I am as well as faster, in todays world , it is quite a problem for parents to control their children at that age . It is worse in Europe and most probably also in the USA.

So to control internet porn is as far as I think as a parent a very good idea . I am not able to stop my son from watching internet porn in a shop, school or anywhere else except home.

Critics complain about "Freedom and Democracy" , well,  they should go where they find these ideals, Europe? USA? Where? I do not agree with a lot of decisions, the PM forced onto the Thais, but indicencies like child abuse, pornography must be avoided even if it means to reduce the "freedom and democracy" for some.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Schauerte,

Whilst I understand and agree with your concerns on the whole, anyone who has lived here a fair time, takes an active interest in the goings on and knows the little tyrant only too well will realize that the 'porn' bit is just the excuse for quietening down even more opposing democratic views that are made against him and his crownies. As others have spotted a mile off it's the 'Inappropriate material' that causes concern.

Mak

[JemJem]

Dudes, eureka!  look at my avatar

Toxin had a secret meeting w/ Bush! This is all Bushs fault!

Boy i need a group hug with some liberals and Kim il jon

this is weird man, i need a John Lennon song and quick!

sorry i am so flaked out, any peace marches tomoro?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Been drinking again ?

Jem

[JemJem]

I remember years ago seeing many bumper stickers in America that said "America-Love it or Leave it"... I wonder if JoefromDC used to sport one on his car?

Ah....that 'love it or leave it' thing. I have noticed that many right-wing folks/groups/political parties from many countries have adopted this line.

There is only little difference between nationalism and racism/fascism, in my opinion.

Jem

[seonai]

Agree with those who say it's not just porn - of course I don't agree with rape scenes etc. - but it's about the power to CENSOR. That is not on. At all. I suspect if Article 19 get hold of this information the Thailand has another nail in it's coffin!!!!!

[petedk]

This really worries me.  I don't care about porn but I do worry about censorship of the internet. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with Najene here. I work in a university where there is even more censorship. I have given students links from educational books only to find the message "blocked by (university) due to inappropiate contents.

Examples of sites blocked:

a website about wild birds (in connection with discussions on avian flu - I guess maybe they want to keep the univerity "virus free")

a website run by a European goverment department describing tax rules. I have no idea why that is blocked.

There are countless others too but I just shrug my shoulders and think TIT. I guess the university doesn't want the students to know too much about what goes on the rest of the world.

[jaideeguy]

DRIVEN TO RAPE!!!!!

What is all this BS?? Who, in their right minds are thinking that if you remove the ‘images’, you will suppress the ‘urges’?? Pornography can be a healthy outlet for the ‘would be’ rapist and/or child molesters. What this govmt is doing is suppressing not only freedoms, but therapeutic solution to the many social problems that exist here in LOS. How many stories have you heard about fathers/uncles raping daughters/nieces ? This is a social plobrem that has existed in Thai culture long before the ‘evil internet’ came with the evil falang ways!!

I see this as one step closer to a dictatorship and expect book burnings to follow. Obviously, the admin has latched onto some recent high profile rapes or has gotten pressure from some some foreign funding ‘do gooding [religious?]‘ NGO s and thinks that by removing the images, it will cure the plobrem.

Reality check…..if you want to remove the ‘images’ that may provoke rape, start with the tabloids, fashion and teen magazines that titillate me ever time I pass a magazine rack in full public view….. with all those sexy girls just begging to get raped.

If I was a rapest, I would be ‘DRIVEN TO RAPE’ by that.

So, just leave me to wank it if I can find a decent site that hasn’t been censored by the ‘Thai cyber cops’.

[snakefarm]

Well, I guess I will only get the Bangkok Post now on the internet! With the love affair between The Nation and Toxin, it is probably one of the first to be blocked! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You must be kidding me. You're seriously deluded if you think The Nation is in the pocket of the government. The opposite is the case. It's the Post that's at threat, not The Ntion. In fact The Nation is the only English language newspaper that has the guts to really tell it like it is, especially after the Post sacked the guy who wrote their "Inside Politics" column. In The Nation, read the columns of Suthichai Yoon, Thepchai Yong and Sopon Onkgara, among others. And their frequent front page attacks on the govt. Sorry, my friend, but you're way out in left field.

[BlackJack]

i regularly have to tweak the proxy settings as TRUE regularly puts blocks on addresses

the most recent was a block on a server in the USA that i need access to so that i can pay the monthly host fees

now this is dumb and dumber

[seonai]

Jaideeguy - fair points on some topics but "driven to rape..." excuse me but where were you educated??????????????????

Snakefarm - spot on about The Nation

Seonai