How Long Before Online Campaigns Will Spill On To The Streets?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
How long before online campaigns will spill on to the streets?
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- It is unlikely that anti-government pressure groups will restrict their campaigns to cyberspace. Among the latest groups to have emerged is the V for Vendetta movement, which uses a Guy Fawkes mask as its profile photo. It has been attacking the Pheu Thai government and its de facto controller, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Members of the V-mask group have expressed their dissatisfaction by posting criticism on Facebook pages of government agencies and prominent figures in power.

This is not the first time that people have taken to cyberspace to mount attacks against Thaksin's side. Small anti-Thaksin groups have been opening Facebook pages to criticise the former prime minister and Pheu Thai for years, joining other websites and Twitter pages dedicated to the same cause.

Recently, a new front in the online attacks was opened when Kaewsan Atibodhi, formerly of the Assets Examination Committee, and former senior police officer Vasit Dejkunjorn formed the Thai Spring group. The group joined some 25,000 netizens who protested against the speech Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave in Mongolia.

Kaewsan said the purpose of the Thai Spring Facebook page was to give people with similar opinions a voice online, adding that this might lead to actions in the real world.

Many who dislike Thaksin undoubtedly want to see a "Thai Spring" develop along the lines of the Arab Spring, leading to the ousting of what they see as a corrupt leadership. Many have also placed their faith in the V-mask movement.

Their hopes have been transferred away from the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, whose leaders are facing long lists of criminal charges and are required by bail conditions to behave themselves.

Apart from being restrained by court orders, PAD leaders have also lost public faith because their hidden agendas have slipped out. Many are now seen as having ulterior motives that have little to do with democracy.

As a result, those critical of Thaksin have resorted to small and individual campaigns via Facebook pages.

These small groups had been campaigning for a while but had failed to join forces as a major movement. The V-mask phenomenon has changed that trend by providing a single focus for government protests that have followed a series of recent incidents.

This focused online protest began with anger over the government's plan to enact a bill for Bt2 trillion in off-budget loans. The frustration of netizens with the ongoing charter amendment process has also grown. They fear that the government is likely to rush an amnesty/reconciliation bill through Parliament to benefit the Thaksin side if opposition outside Parliament is not strong enough.

Government critics have also been frustrated to see members of red-shirt groups bullying other organisations. So, they have taken to cyberspace as the only channel available for venting their frustration.

Examples from other countries show that Internet campaigns have always failed to grow if their topics are too trivial. Initially, most Thai netizens expected the V-mask campaign to follow that pattern and die down.

However, Pheu Thai seems to have over-reacted by threatening to file lawsuits against the V-mask protesters. Had Pheu Thai ignored the campaign, the V-mask phenomenon would have died down in a just a few days like other social-networking campaigns.

So why did Pheu Thai get provoked by the V-mask campaign, rather than ignoring it? Did it fear that its own recent actions might spark protests that would unite its opponents and eventually threaten its demise?

Actually, Pheu Thai has good reason to be concerned, as small campaigns have in the past grown into mass protest rallies. It knows that netizens may be waiting for the right moment to march out of cyberspace and onto the streets.


-- The Nation 2013-05-30

[huanga]

tic toc, tic toc, tic toc...when is the UNDERTAKER GOING TO COME CALLING......

[Bellweather]

The online protests are only part of the anti-government groundswell and even the PTP / reds are arguing amongst themselves. The government's response to fair, often mild criticism, is heavy handed and dictatorial, people posting online comments are declared to be " psychologically disturbed " and on it goes.

All colours involved in the Thai political system have a taste now for hitting the streets and the way things are heading it's a logical conclusion it will happen again.

[Thai at Heart]

How many of these Facebook "v" avatars are there in Thailand?

I can't say I have come across any yet on Facebook.

Edited May 30, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[MaxLee]

The only way for Pheu Thai to stop the growing online opposition seeds is shut down the entire Internet in Thailand, COMPLETELY...

[huanga]

The only way for Pheu Thai to stop the growing online opposition seeds is shut down the entire Internet in Thailand, COMPLETELY...

I think they (PT) are already tackling (attacking) with three-pronged approach. Shut it down, sue their ass, and tell the Reds to intimidate....all in the name of democracy, because they know best.

[kimamey]

The only way for Pheu Thai to stop the growing online opposition seeds is shut down the entire Internet in Thailand, COMPLETELY...

And what do you think all those people who use Facebook, YouTube, Sanook and the horoscope sites will do then. Do you really want all of them on the street protesting. t scares me for a start.

[MaxLee]

The only way for Pheu Thai to stop the growing online opposition seeds is shut down the entire Internet in Thailand, COMPLETELY...

And what do you think all those people who use Facebook, YouTube, Sanook and the horoscope sites will do then. Do you really want all of them on the street protesting. t scares me for a start.

A feudal-conolized country that has a huge history of censorship and abusage rate of monarchy law (<<<- to put it politely as possible this way) towards several innocent people, would be capable to go this far...

'Nough said...

Edited May 30, 2013 by MaxLee

[hellodolly]

The only way for Pheu Thai to stop the growing online opposition seeds is shut down the entire Internet in Thailand, COMPLETELY...

And what do you think all those people who use Facebook, YouTube, Sanook and the horoscope sites will do then. Do you really want all of them on the street protesting. t scares me for a start.

I wonder if they will be armed all in the name of democracy of course.

[worgeordie]

As reluctant guests in this country,I was wondering if any Farang that

posts criticisms of the Government,PM, Mr.T, which I have done myself,

have any fear of repercussions,or just hope that anyone in power does

not come on to ThaiVisa.

Regards Worgeordie

[BrianCR]

Not until all streets have Wi-Fi

[whybother]

As reluctant guests in this country,I was wondering if any Farang that

posts criticisms of the Government,PM, Mr.T, which I have done myself,

have any fear of repercussions,or just hope that anyone in power does

not come on to ThaiVisa.

Regards Worgeordie

.

"reluctant guests"?? You don't want to be here?

Edited May 30, 2013 by whybother

[huanga]

As reluctant guests in this country,I was wondering if any Farang that

posts criticisms of the Government,PM, Mr.T, which I have done myself,

have any fear of repercussions,or just hope that anyone in power does

not come on to ThaiVisa.

Regards Worgeordie

And how about the Thais who hold different views than the current government? Will they be spared or will they have more to lose than us "guests"?

PT has been trumping "democracy restoration" in establishing themselves into governing this country. Airing one's opinion on a forum to exchange viewpoints is just one of the basic elements in "democracy". If any guest might receive the "bad treatment" as you suspected, do you think the domestic & international communities will condone this apparent "hypocrisy"? Everyone will then laugh and realize that this government is actually trumping "HYPMOCRACY".

PT is too smart for this....therefore, censorship, censorship, and more censorship. They would shut down TV (Thaivisa) or other communication venues, threaten law suits, and hope all this will go away. They definitely do not wish to spin this out onto the international media....if they happen to mess with the wrong foreigner with the media channel to spin this...

[ratcatcher]

As reluctant guests in this country,I was wondering if any Farang that

posts criticisms of the Government,PM, Mr.T, which I have done myself,

have any fear of repercussions,or just hope that anyone in power does

not come on to ThaiVisa.

Regards Worgeordie

.

"reluctant guests"?? You don't want to be here?

Your choice of "reluctant" puzzles me. Are you being held somewhere or are you unable to leave but want to.

I, like thousands of other farangs here for retirement with Thai families, am quite happy to be a resident (albeit "non-permanent") of this country. Nobody forces me to stay. I like it here.

Everyday brings more entertainment as various people, mostly politicians, entertain us with their antics and statements.

This isn't Nazi Germany or North Korea. I doubt you will be woken up at 3 am by uniformed immigration police wanting to seize your computer. Relax.

[MunterHunter]

How many of these Facebook "v" avatars are there in Thailand?

I can't say I have come across any yet on Facebook.

I've seen quite a few... probably a dozen or so.

You need to know and be connected on facebook with real thai's

I'd put the avatar on my facebook profile, but i'll wait and see for the moment...

[worgeordie]

As reluctant guests in this country,I was wondering if any Farang that

posts criticisms of the Government,PM, Mr.T, which I have done myself,

have any fear of repercussions,or just hope that anyone in power does

not come on to ThaiVisa.

Regards Worgeordie

.

"reluctant guests"?? You don't want to be here?

Relluctant on behalf of the hosts, if we could just come with money, deposit at airport bank and bugger off again ,I think that would make a lot of Thais happy,

regards Worgeordie

[uptheos]

The only way for Pheu Thai to stop the growing online opposition seeds is shut down the entire Internet in Thailand, COMPLETELY...

And what do you think all those people who use Facebook, YouTube, Sanook and the horoscope sites will do then. Do you really want all of them on the street protesting. t scares me for a start.

I wonder if they will be armed all in the name of democracy of course.

Can't be in the name of democracy here, unless the military is answerable to the government and not the other way around.

You can put a piece of paper in a box as often as you like, but if a coup can be called at any time...............

[ratcatcher]

As reluctant guests in this country,I was wondering if any Farang that

posts criticisms of the Government,PM, Mr.T, which I have done myself,

have any fear of repercussions,or just hope that anyone in power does

not come on to ThaiVisa.

Regards Worgeordie

.

"reluctant guests"?? You don't want to be here?

Relluctant on behalf of the hosts, if we could just come with money, deposit at airport bank and bugger off again ,I think that would make a lot of Thais happy,

regards Worgeordie

It's a shame you feel that way. I wouldn't really refer to the 'hosts' as reluctant, although I can understand their reluctance to allow every Tom, Dick & Harry into Thailand, although looking around some parts you wonder.

[Robby nz]

Ministry bans officials from joining rally

On the above topic farther down this page we see what happens when a group wants to come out on the street to protest against a Govt action.

First threats then they are told that if they do protest the reds will be there.

Go PT democracy and freedom of speech.

[amore]

How responsible of the gutter press to fan the flames of hatred. Sondhi will be proud of you.

[Rich teacher]

"Recently, a new front in the online attacks was opened when Kaewsan Atibodhi, formerly of the Assets Examination Committee..." Wow that AEC was a really unbiased lot weren't they!!

[OzMick]

"Recently, a new front in the online attacks was opened when Kaewsan Atibodhi, formerly of the Assets Examination Committee..." Wow that AEC was a really unbiased lot weren't they!!

Could it be that bias came from experience? Perhaps fuelled by disgust?

[Rich teacher]

"Recently, a new front in the online attacks was opened when Kaewsan Atibodhi, formerly of the Assets Examination Committee..." Wow that AEC was a really unbiased lot weren't they!!

Could it be that bias came from experience? Perhaps fuelled by disgust?

Mick trying to justify the inclusion of someone's bitter enemy in a government committee designed to investigate the facts.

[whybother]

"Recently, a new front in the online attacks was opened when Kaewsan Atibodhi, formerly of the Assets Examination Committee..." Wow that AEC was a really unbiased lot weren't they!!

Could it be that bias came from experience? Perhaps fuelled by disgust?

Mick trying to justify the inclusion of someone's bitter enemy in a government committee designed to investigate the facts.

He investigated. The courts judged based on the what was presented by the investigators and the defense.

[Rich teacher]

"Recently, a new front in the online attacks was opened when Kaewsan Atibodhi, formerly of the Assets Examination Committee..." Wow that AEC was a really unbiased lot weren't they!!

Could it be that bias came from experience? Perhaps fuelled by disgust?

Mick trying to justify the inclusion of someone's bitter enemy in a government committee designed to investigate the facts.

He investigated. The courts judged based on the what was presented by the investigators and the defense.

OK, so you'd happily accept if the current administration said up a committee to investigate AV's draft dodging, dual citzenship & murder charge, that included Jatuporn and Natawut.

Edited May 30, 2013 by Rich teacher

[whybother]

OK, so you'd happily accept if the current administration said up a committee to investigate AV's draft dodging, dual citzenship & murder charge, that included Jatuporn and Natawut.

.

That would be fine if the it was the courts that judged the case and Abhisit was able to defend himself.

[PREM-R]

Always a danger of this 'spilling on to the streets' because the party supported by the 'Educated Middle Class' (democrats) have been rejected at the ballot box for decades, the only way that they can seize power is to cause disruption on the streets and hope that the army will move in.

[Rich teacher]

OK, so you'd happily accept if the current administration said up a committee to investigate AV's draft dodging, dual citzenship & murder charge, that included Jatuporn and Natawut.

.

That would be fine if the it was the courts that judged the case and Abhisit was able to defend himself.

Can you imagine the uproar & outpouring of yellow & gay multi-coloured shirted people onto the streets?

[OzMick]

"Recently, a new front in the online attacks was opened when Kaewsan Atibodhi, formerly of the Assets Examination Committee..." Wow that AEC was a really unbiased lot weren't they!!

Could it be that bias came from experience? Perhaps fuelled by disgust?

Mick trying to justify the inclusion of someone's bitter enemy in a government committee designed to investigate the facts.

Who said he was a bitter enemy when he started working for the AEC? My suggestion was that he BECAME an enemy because of that experience.

[OzMick]

Mick trying to justify the inclusion of someone's bitter enemy in a government committee designed to investigate the facts.

He investigated. The courts judged based on the what was presented by the investigators and the defense.

OK, so you'd happily accept if the current administration said up a committee to investigate AV's draft dodging, dual citzenship & murder charge, that included Jatuporn and Natawut.

Now you equate the man to paid stooges? Can you not see the stupidity of speculation based on an unproven assumption?