My Right To Close Anti-Yingluck Websites, Minister Claims

[webfact]

POLITICS
My right to close anti-PM websites, minister claims
Anuphan Chantana,
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Information and Communi-cations Technology Ministry had been misunderstood and accused of blocking people's right to free speech following attacks from "ill-intentioned people", Minister Anudith Nakornthap said.

The ministry had no mandate to shut down websites on its own, and would normally need a court order to do that, he added. However, defamatory remarks about the prime minister could cause a site to be immediately suspended.

On Monday, Anudith was criticised for overstepping his authority by threatening to shut down pages that carried allegedly defamatory remarks against PM Yingluck Shinawatra by cartoonist Chai Rachawat on Facebook.

Meanwhile, the ICT minister confirmed reports of his vow to take action related to criticism against Yingluck. He insisted he was doing his duty and that he had the authority to do so.

He urged anyone who finds offensive messages on the Net to report them so the ministry could ask the web administrator to immediately remove the messages.

However, he added that if the intention of the website was to defame the PM, the ministry had the mandate to "suspend the site immediately" and the people responsible could be prosecuted under Article 326 of the Criminal Act, which could lead to a year in prison and a fine of Bt20,000.

Anudith became the target of criticism following his comment on Sunday.

However, Thai Rath newspaper's website published an interview on Monday in which he claimed the ministry expedited the suspension process in the case of Yingluck because she was a leader and her situation received public attention.

Yingluck said yesterday that the MICT should not focus only on defending her from being defamed in cyberspace, but should protect everyone. She was reacting to reports about the ministry threatening to shut down websites and take action against people involved in posting defamatory messages against her.

Yingluck said everybody had the right to question the government's policies, but the ICT Ministry would take action if any unfounded allegations were posted against anyone, not just her.

Yingluck had been severely criticised after giving a speech in Mongolia, attacking courts and independent organisations and saying Thailand had not achieved full democracy after the 2006 coup.

Asked whether she regretted that her speech led to negative comments, Yingluck said she had cited what really happened as an example so that they would not happen again.

"I was telling the truth. We would like everything to be an example so that they will not happen again," Yingluck said.


-- The Nation 2013-05-08

[Thai at Heart]

Does he have zuckerberg on speed dial or something?

[LucidLucifer]

Yingluck states in a speech that Thailand hasn't achieved full democracy since the coup, and the ICT ministry reacts by threatening to shut down any websites that critisise her.......maybe the lady has a point!!!

[Thai at Heart]

Yingluck states in a speech that Thailand hasn't achieved full democracy since the coup, and the ICT ministry reacts by threatening to shut down any websites that critisise her.......maybe the lady has a point!!!

Thai language obviously doesn't have a word for hypocrisy.

[sustento]

Yet another government which doesn't understand how the 'net works. This lack of knowledge is not confined to Thailand...

[slapout]

The last sentence quoting the PM is probably most indictive of her confused thought and communication skills???? I am using the word 'skills' in the my scarcastic mode, just to clarfy what I said/meant.

[brd199]

Yingluck said yesterday that the MICT should not focus only on defending her from being defamed in cyberspace


Don't worry, Yingluck, television and radio are also ready for scrutinizing, by a different governmental entity, for any mean comments against you.

Yingluck Sues Thai Rath Cartoonist For Defamation

Meanwhile the media stranglehold gets tighter as the BP is reporting this morning that the Pheu Thai Party is requesting the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to closely scrutinize the content of all television and radio programs for inappropriate remarks about the premier.

Internet, television, radio = Check

Personal telephone conversations are next.

Edited May 8, 2013 by brd199

[Ricardo]

Yay for Red-Government Denying Defending Freedom-of-Speech !

[A Member]

A couple of days ago the minister was talking about protecting Everybody but now it's Yingluck, Yingluck and Yingluck which we all knew anyway. The ministry cannot shutdown a site without a court order but can suspend a site but for how long without having to apply to a court, it would be easy to suspend then take a long time or accidentally forget to go anywhere near a court so the result is almost the same. Finally I'm sure his definition of defamation will be very loose and bear no relation to the legal one allowing him, surprise surprise, to do whatever he wants.

[Thai at Heart]

A couple of days ago the minister was talking about protecting Everybody but now it's Yingluck, Yingluck and Yingluck which we all knew anyway. The ministry cannot shutdown a site without a court order but can suspend a site but for how long without having to apply to a court, it would be easy to suspend then take a long time or accidentally forget to go anywhere near a court so the result is almost the same. Finally I'm sure his definition of defamation will be very loose and bear no relation to the legal one allowing him, surprise surprise, to do whatever he wants.

Would be interesting when this law to suspend a website was put on the books. All rather Orwellian.

[uptheos]

Of course Thailand has achieved full democracy and if Yingcluck doesn't stop saying it hasn't, then the military will step in and stop her!

[Ricardo]

A couple of days ago the minister was talking about protecting Everybody but now it's Yingluck, Yingluck and Yingluck which we all knew anyway. The ministry cannot shutdown a site without a court order but can suspend a site but for how long without having to apply to a court, it would be easy to suspend then take a long time or accidentally forget to go anywhere near a court so the result is almost the same. Finally I'm sure his definition of defamation will be very loose and bear no relation to the legal one allowing him, surprise surprise, to do whatever he wants.

Would be interesting when this law to suspend a website was put on the books. All rather Orwellian.

I think it dates back to 1984 ?

I guess that I must be overdue for re-education in Right-Thought !

Edited May 8, 2013 by Ricardo

[varun]

Democracy, yeah right....

PT is basically saying 'My way or the highway punk. Better get used to it'

[Thait Spot]

The Minister for Communication was misunderstood.........

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[Stradavarius37]

Where are the TV pro red shirt fans? I want to hear this defense of their government's policy? Don't be quiet now!

[OzMick]

I live in hope to hear that PTP MPs have passed a law making it illegal to use the words "Yingluk" and "prostitute" in the same sentence, followed by a mass arrest because they had broken the law that they just passed.

[RisqEM]

This should be fun! I'm gonna post on reddit and Facebook and watch the big guy flex his muscles!!

[Redhawk]

Her last sentence sounds to me, that this was her last attempt to tell the truth.

[chainarong]

Your right is to defend democracy , such as it is Minister , not your right and duty to protect the Shinawatra family, if defamatory remarks have been made, get a legal ruling from the appropriate department before sounding off, as your interpretation could be assumed biase and your duty miss guided.

[waza]

Its all happening again.....

[hellodolly]

Yingluck states in a speech that Thailand hasn't achieved full democracy since the coup, and the ICT ministry reacts by threatening to shut down any websites that critisise her.......maybe the lady has a point!!!

Does that mean she does not consider herself democratically elected?

Which she was not but she dosen't know that. She was elected by the Parliamentary system that does not require a majority of population votes.

Or does she consider herself non democratically elected because to be truly democratically elected you could not buy votes.

Are they trying to equate discussion of her to the same laws covering the Royal family. LM

[hellodolly]

Of course Thailand has achieved full democracy and if Yingcluck doesn't stop saying it hasn't, then the military will step in and stop her!

Now I am in a dilemma. I don't believe in coups yet I feel just as strongly in my belief that countries should not be run by air heads.

[spermwhale]

You see what happens when you have a lese majeste law? Where does the censorship stop? It trickles down until anyone in power is protected from any criticism. It's a slippery slope.

Edited May 8, 2013 by spermwhale

[drdoom6996]

The more they rant and rave and close sites, the more the sites will show up in the 100's. Have you ever tried to get off a mailing list. The more you unsubscribe the more you get.

[jayboy]

The Minister's comments are absurd and counter productive.It is entirely normal in a democracy for its leaders to be criticised, teased and mocked.If there is libel, slander or defamation involved then the minister concerned has the right to take measures in accordance with the law.Normally however it is foolish to do so and politicians should have thick skins.Ludicrous assertions (eg the prostitute jibe) tend to rebound on the original source.The public isn't as gullible as some believe. It is disheartening also that this kind of stupidity gives ammunition to the reactionary element in Thailand (whose own record on allowing free speech is disgustingly bad) to say (as it were) - look at them, they're just as repressive as us.

[webfact]

ICT minister denies double standard legal action against website
By English News



BANGKOK, May 8 – Thailand’s information and communication technology (ICT) minister has flatly ruled out an allegation that websites with slanderous attacks against the prime minister and her government were closed down.

Anudith Nakornthap said the opposition’s charge was distorted and created misunderstanding among the public.

The power to close a website belongs to the Criminal Court, not the ICT, he said. “People have the right to express their opinions on social network but any wrongdoing which damages others is a violation of the Computer Act or the Criminal Code.”

He rejected claims that the ICT took action against those criticising the prime minister on the Internet but ignored statements against the monarch.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said people have the right and freedom to criticise the government’s policies but untrue accusations are unacceptable and the ICT must take action.

“The legal action was not exclusively for me. We must adhere to the principle and the authorities must see to it that everything is conducted under the law and regulations,” she said.

Ms Yingluck filed a complaint with police last week charging newspaper cartoonist Chai Rachawat, the professional persona of Somchai Katunyutanan, with libel and defamation for his post on a social media network which she described as blunt and which she said caused damage to her reputation as the country’s leader. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-05-08

[klauskunkel]

Open Letter to Thai Government:

Dear Children,

I know you are trying so hard to keep the Thai people ignorant and unable to think for themselves, and censorship has worked well in the past. ..Now, though, with all these confusing advances in technology, social media, internet, smart phones, cloud computing, pesky farangs, it is such a daunting task to keep the status quo of unquestioned acceptance of government policy.

Guess what, the genie is out of the bottle and can't be put back. That means you all have to go with the flow, chill a little, stop being the most uptight bunch of people. In essence, yes, you have to grow up. Sorry about that...I know it hurts, been thru it myself. Telling the Thai people not to be critical won't work anymore, instead you have to work on some basic democratic principles and deal with the outcomes. Sorry about that, too, the word "work", I know it is not what you do, you are children and you play, not work...

So, in my opinion two unfamiliar concepts are facing you right now: to grow up, and to work, and whoever can embrace these concepts may have a future. Sweat and growing pains maybe better than a spanking.

sincerely

Santa Klaus

PS don't blame the farangs, this is your own doing

[Suffinator]

Note to myself... "must tell my mate in the UK to stop producing articles about Thailand or the Ministry of Xenophobia will close meebal (dotcom) down." I'm sure he'll soil himself and cease and desist immediately.

[Payboy]

Yingluck states in a speech that Thailand hasn't achieved full democracy since the coup, and the ICT ministry reacts by threatening to shut down any websites that critisise her.......maybe the lady has a point!!!

Thai language obviously doesn't have a word for hypocrisy.

Has 3 words actually, kwam pen thai.

[PhilipCook]

Maybe Thailand should block facebook just like China does, it might raise the level of productivity here, particularly amongst the feminine persuasion...