Thai Internet " Not Free ": U S Freedom House

[Baerboxer]

I don`t think placing restrictions on what can be and cannot be published in the public domain is a bad thing.

I personally believe that those with extreme racist opinions, or who denigrate the leaderships of their own countries and of other countries, or that defame private individuals should not be given free public platforms or a means to air they’re views.

Censorship is required on the Internet, similar to that which has been established with other forms of media and the same laws should apply. There is a world of difference between free speech and which could be considered as anarchy.

I have never agreed with the totally permissive society because there are certain groups and persons that do not know when to draw the line. Probably why I love living in Thailand so much, because it teaches and imposes certain respects for authority and private individuals although still permitting relative freedoms within the country.

This is an attempt at satire? Right?

[theajarn]

freedom is like a drug, moderated and dosed proper, it is functional, but abused and exploited and it infringes on oneself and others!

You got CENSORSHIP mixed up with the word Freedom, dude.

Edited September 28, 2012 by theajarn

[Colabamumbai]

So that is why I get the message "This video is currently unavailabe in your area" or is that censorship? A fine line.

Edited September 28, 2012 by Colabamumbai

[McMagus]

I don`t think placing restrictions on what can be and cannot be published in the public domain is a bad thing.

I personally believe that those with extreme racist opinions, or who denigrate the leaderships of their own countries and of other countries, or that defame private individuals should not be given free public platforms or a means to air they’re views.

Censorship is required on the Internet, similar to that which has been established with other forms of media and the same laws should apply. There is a world of difference between free speech and which could be considered as anarchy.

I have never agreed with the totally permissive society because there are certain groups and persons that do not know when to draw the line. Probably why I love living in Thailand so much, because it teaches and imposes certain respects for authority and private individuals although still permitting relative freedoms within the country.

The problem with censorship is who is to become the arbiter of morals? I am given to understand that here in Thailand where there is strict censorship and web blocking, that you can still get free access to gore images, people getting their heads chopped off, or squashed flat by a truck etc etc. whilst, according to some academics who posted earlier, students' access to legitimate enquiry is blocked. I don't wish to be offensive but, your last sentence is scary..'it teaches respect for authority' For me,that could be construed as 'it brainwashes the masses into subservience'. For example, here in LOS, a teacher is 'given' respect solely because of the status of teachers, irrespective if the teacher is any good or has earned respect. Mr. Assange has just been named an 'enemy of the state' by the US because he dared to show the world what was really going on...... for example the infamous helicopter video.

I leave you with the thoughts of Voltaire

'I don't agree with what you say, but will defend. to the death your right to say it'

[khunken]

I don`t think placing restrictions on what can be and cannot be published in the public domain is a bad thing.

I personally believe that those with extreme racist opinions, or who denigrate the leaderships of their own countries and of other countries, or that defame private individuals should not be given free public platforms or a means to air they’re views.

Censorship is required on the Internet, similar to that which has been established with other forms of media and the same laws should apply. There is a world of difference between free speech and which could be considered as anarchy.

I have never agreed with the totally permissive society because there are certain groups and persons that do not know when to draw the line. Probably why I love living in Thailand so much, because it teaches and imposes certain respects for authority and private individuals although still permitting relative freedoms within the country.

completely disagree, I will judge for myself rather than have it done for me, if I don't like something written or spoken on the web or anywhere else for that matter then I will form my own opinion not have it done for me. When you're out socialising would you prefer to have someone adjudicate every interaction you have with every person - I think not

Totally disagree with the latter. When I'm out socialising, I don't go around telling people that they are stupid, ignorant, that their religion stinks, etc, etc. That is inviting a violent response, such as a punch in the face.

I don't like being told what to do or what to view but most societies have norms & legal limits on what can be written or shown. With freedom of speech comes responsibility & that includes respect for other peoples views (maybe a hard point to get across in this forum).

[McMagus]

I've been able to visit every website that I've ever wanted. What sort of websites are you guys trying to get onto that is blocked?

Not too long ago I tried to access http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/ a website sponsored by the Australian National University, hardly a porn site. It was blocked. It's open now, I suggest you visit it from time to time.

[cloudhopper]

I fail to see how this has anything to do with anybody but Thailand and its people. More US nose butting and finger pointing.

No it isn't. From their website - "Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world." The HQ is located in the US but they have offices internationally. Your failure to see how this has anything to do with anybody but Thailand and its people is quite telling.

[TheKrayTriplet]

I don`t think placing restrictions on what can be and cannot be published in the public domain is a bad thing.

I personally believe that those with extreme racist opinions, or who denigrate the leaderships of their own countries and of other countries, or that defame private individuals should not be given free public platforms or a means to air they’re views.

Censorship is required on the Internet, similar to that which has been established with other forms of media and the same laws should apply. There is a world of difference between free speech and which could be considered as anarchy.

I have never agreed with the totally permissive society because there are certain groups and persons that do not know when to draw the line. Probably why I love living in Thailand so much, because it teaches and imposes certain respects for authority and private individuals although still permitting relative freedoms within the country.

completely disagree, I will judge for myself rather than have it done for me, if I don't like something written or spoken on the web or anywhere else for that matter then I will form my own opinion not have it done for me. When you're out socialising would you prefer to have someone adjudicate every interaction you have with every person - I think not

Totally disagree with the latter. When I'm out socialising, I don't go around telling people that they are stupid, ignorant, that their religion stinks, etc, etc. That is inviting a violent response, such as a punch in the face.

I don't like being told what to do or what to view but most societies have norms & legal limits on what can be written or shown. With freedom of speech comes responsibility & that includes respect for other peoples views (maybe a hard point to get across in this forum).

includes respect for other peoples views (maybe a hard point to get across in this forum)

Yes, Quite

.

[tongoy]

Nothing new so far.. I always had problems to get an access to my German email provider... I use a VPN software and get online with a German VPN and don't have any problem anymore, neither with my German email account nor with any blocked websites..

[bumpkin]

How is it that even with some localised shutdown of Net services, the USA is ranked so high on this chart?

Above other nations with no recorded restrictions.

Was it an American organisation preparing this list, and maybe trying to maintain the story about great Freedom of Speech in the USA ?

mmmmm..

[watcharacters]

I've been able to visit every website that I've ever wanted. What sort of websites are you guys trying to get onto that is blocked?

Not too long ago I tried to access http://asiapacific.a....au/newmandala/ a website sponsored by the Australian National University, hardly a porn site. It was blocked. It's open now, I suggest you visit it from time to time.

Thank you for posting that site. I agree with you in wondering why the authorities in LOS chose to block/censor it.

[Samedeepwaterasyou]

I've been able to visit every website that I've ever wanted. What sort of websites are you guys trying to get onto that is blocked?

At least 50,000 websites .

[julemanden]

Shocking !

What is the ranking of the US in this "survey" ?

(can't possibly be very high)

Try to read on top, the you'll know

[smedly]

I don`t think placing restrictions on what can be and cannot be published in the public domain is a bad thing.

I personally believe that those with extreme racist opinions, or who denigrate the leaderships of their own countries and of other countries, or that defame private individuals should not be given free public platforms or a means to air they’re views.

Censorship is required on the Internet, similar to that which has been established with other forms of media and the same laws should apply. There is a world of difference between free speech and which could be considered as anarchy.

I have never agreed with the totally permissive society because there are certain groups and persons that do not know when to draw the line. Probably why I love living in Thailand so much, because it teaches and imposes certain respects for authority and private individuals although still permitting relative freedoms within the country.

completely disagree, I will judge for myself rather than have it done for me, if I don't like something written or spoken on the web or anywhere else for that matter then I will form my own opinion not have it done for me. When you're out socialising would you prefer to have someone adjudicate every interaction you have with every person - I think not

Totally disagree with the latter. When I'm out socialising, I don't go around telling people that they are stupid, ignorant, that their religion stinks, etc, etc. That is inviting a violent response, such as a punch in the face.

I don't like being told what to do or what to view but most societies have norms & legal limits on what can be written or shown. With freedom of speech comes responsibility & that includes respect for other peoples views (maybe a hard point to get across in this forum).

includes respect for other peoples views (maybe a hard point to get across in this forum)

you guys are confusing manners with censorship, we all have opinions about pretty much everything, many times I have told religeous people that it is all a complete pile of sh-te - my opinion but up to them what they want to believe, if you want to call someone an ugly barsteward to their face well up to you but it's plain bad manners and may have consiquences - nothing to do with censorship

[khunken]

Smedly:

'you guys are confusing manners with censorship, we all have opinions about pretty much everything, many times I have told religeous people that it is all a complete pile of sh-te - my opinion but up to them what they want to believe, if you want to call someone an ugly barsteward to their face well up to you but it's plain bad manners and may have consiquences - nothing to do with censorship'

Sorry I had to do it this way because I received the insidious: 'You have posted more than the allowed number of quoted blocks of text'

Yes it is to do with censorship. Self-censorship. And it is just cowardly to insult people in a way that they cannot respond: i.e on the internet (Youtube). By the way, I agree that religion is sh-te & I will argue my case among friends & acquaintenances, but I will not set out to inflame others because of my views.

[bumpkin]

So that is why I get the message "This video is currently unavailabe in your area" or is that censorship? A fine line.

more likely related to regional liscencing arrangements . . . money, my friend, money, not politics !

[hellodolly]

I don`t think placing restrictions on what can be and cannot be published in the public domain is a bad thing.

I personally believe that those with extreme racist opinions, or who denigrate the leaderships of their own countries and of other countries, or that defame private individuals should not be given free public platforms or a means to air they’re views.

Censorship is required on the Internet, similar to that which has been established with other forms of media and the same laws should apply. There is a world of difference between free speech and which could be considered as anarchy.

I have never agreed with the totally permissive society because there are certain groups and persons that do not know when to draw the line. Probably why I love living in Thailand so much, because it teaches and imposes certain respects for authority and private individuals although still permitting relative freedoms within the country.

Yes and that's exactly why we are not informed about aliens.

You have to know where to look.

[hellodolly]

Smedly:

'you guys are confusing manners with censorship, we all have opinions about pretty much everything, many times I have told religeous people that it is all a complete pile of sh-te - my opinion but up to them what they want to believe, if you want to call someone an ugly barsteward to their face well up to you but it's plain bad manners and may have consiquences - nothing to do with censorship'

Sorry I had to do it this way because I received the insidious: 'You have posted more than the allowed number of quoted blocks of text'

Yes it is to do with censorship. Self-censorship. And it is just cowardly to insult people in a way that they cannot respond: i.e on the internet (Youtube). By the way, I agree that religion is sh-te & I will argue my case among friends & acquaintenances, but I will not set out to inflame others because of my views.

You forgot to mention they only allow you to like so many things in a day.

I have no problem with religions. It is the people who supposedly follow them that I have problems with.

[IsaanUSA]

In Iran, violation of the Internet law is punishable by death, and three bloggers and IT professionals have been sentenced to death.

Holy cow! That's crazy.

I fail to see how this has anything to do with anybody but Thailand and its people. More US nose butting and finger pointing.

US? This has nothing to do with the United States. Re-read the original post

Edited September 28, 2012 by IsaanUSA

[PingManDan]

Stating the obvious - hardly news worthy!

Yes "BIG BROTHER" is watching, and so many are in the courts to prove they are alive and well, don't say it, bite that tounge

[PingManDan]

Smedly:

'you guys are confusing manners with censorship, we all have opinions about pretty much everything, many times I have told religeous people that it is all a complete pile of sh-te - my opinion but up to them what they want to believe, if you want to call someone an ugly barsteward to their face well up to you but it's plain bad manners and may have consiquences - nothing to do with censorship'

Sorry I had to do it this way because I received the insidious: 'You have posted more than the allowed number of quoted blocks of text'

Yes it is to do with censorship. Self-censorship. And it is just cowardly to insult people in a way that they cannot respond: i.e on the internet (Youtube). By the way, I agree that religion is sh-te & I will argue my case among friends & acquaintenances, but I will not set out to inflame others because of my views.

You forgot to mention they only allow you to like so many things in a day.

I have no problem with religions. It is the people who supposedly follow them that I have problems with.

Yes it's the crazed, radical, insane, that I have a hard time with

[linuxuser010101]

This is all very true however, no one will kick in your door and and take your computer if you use too much bandwidth and start looking for file shares. It is also possible to circumvent blocks placed on the internet in Thailand very easily.

[Rionoir]

Proxies are easy enough to use...

[McMagus]

Proxies are easy enough to use...

...and illegal. It is illegal in Thailand to use a proxy to circumvent the censorship laws and if you do you are in violation of the computer crimes act.... and if caught ....