Thailand to start cracking down on illegal online content

[mikemac]

"And the Government wants to limit/ ban pornography? Go down to Walking Street Pattaya and you get the real thing shoved in your face. I know what I prefer....."...........................................

Know what you mean. I was in Nana one night (many years ago, before I met the missus, of course) and had the real thing shoved in my face. I only bent down to pick up five baht. It wasn't bad though, the thing that was shoved in my face.

[Bof]

Just another non existent crackdown

[jojodontyouknow]

Is that photo a likeness of the average TV poster one wonders...

cant figure out if thats one funny looking gentleman or a woman with a "tash"....either way that "person" says raving axe murdering serial killer to me...

I begged them not to take the photo but they said, 'No, we want a typical, average looking forum member'

God help us

[Bluespunk]

Many of you guys always come back with your desire to have crack downs on corruption, crack downs on dishonest politicians, crack downs on patronage, crack downs on dangerous driving, crack downs on discrimination towards farangs, crack downs on tourist scams, crack downs on police traps, crack downs on fake taxis, crack down on tax evasion, and this, and that, and more crack downs, and even more... till the Thai society becomes a replica of the western society and the great, and very well ruled, world that you left (or want to leave).

Then I don't understand why there is a negative feeling towards cracking down on the illegal Internet content. You all should be happy

Or is this a crack down that does not suit your "needs" ?

I think the problem people have is that this type of crackdown us generally used as a cloak to cover up a crackdown on freedom of speech, on anti government sites, on anything that will criticise a corrupt government and expose its imperfections, lies, ineptitude and intolerance of any view but their own.

[jpeg]

I am afraid Thailand is getting more like the West everyday, more laws,

regulations,and oppression of freedom , thought and speech,next it

will be CCTV on every corner,Oh thats already started.

regards Worgeordie

but unlike the West, have been, will never be, enforced. Get a grip ...

[jpeg]

Just another non existent crackdown

Not really, Hola has just this week been targeted for 'get rid of it or internet access denied'.

There's of course a variety of VPNs, which aren't free ...

[jpeg]

Many of you guys always come back with your desire to have crack downs on corruption, crack downs on dishonest politicians, crack downs on patronage, crack downs on dangerous driving, crack downs on discrimination towards farangs, crack downs on tourist scams, crack downs on police traps, crack downs on fake taxis, crack down on tax evasion, and this, and that, and more crack downs, and even more... till the Thai society becomes a replica of the western society and the great, and very well ruled, world that you left (or want to leave).

Then I don't understand why there is a negative feeling towards cracking down on the illegal Internet content. You all should be happy

Or is this a crack down that does not suit your "needs" ?

Hope you never have reason to file /report a lawsuit bud.

[mikemac]

Regarding the picture in the OP, you know sometimes when I read the TV posters comments, that's just how I imagine you look like, complete with the 1970's porn star moustache. Other times I imagine you slumped over your computer desks, empty beer bottles and cigarette butts all over the place.

[watcharacters]

Is that photo a likeness of the average TV poster one wonders...

cant figure out if thats one funny looking gentleman or a woman with a "tash"....either way that "person" says raving axe murdering serial killer to me...

And what vintage is that desktop, Pentium 1?

[surangw]

they are going to figure out how to charge for it?

[sunshine51]

So a problem that the major governements of the world have not been able to solve for the last 15 years is now to be solved by a "Thai Government Crackdown" - even China fails to stop it's citizens from accessing content if they are determined enough.

Well stated gbswales.

I have a hunch it's more to keep those undesireable websites off school kids tablets since

new 'tabs" are supposedly on their way...just a hunch. But the kids are smart!

[Noistar]

Many of you guys always come back with your desire to have crack downs on corruption, crack downs on dishonest politicians, crack downs on patronage, crack downs on dangerous driving, crack downs on discrimination towards farangs, crack downs on tourist scams, crack downs on police traps, crack downs on fake taxis, crack down on tax evasion, and this, and that, and more crack downs, and even more... till the Thai society becomes a replica of the western society and the great, and very well ruled, world that you left (or want to leave).

Then I don't understand why there is a negative feeling towards cracking down on the illegal Internet content. You all should be happy

Or is this a crack down that does not suit your "needs" ?

You're comparing chalk and cheese.

The crack down on dishonest establishment activities, must indicate that putting the same establishment in charge of an Internet crackdown is flawed to say the least.

Do you honestly believe that corrupt authorities can impartially implement Internet censorship?

[kimamey]

I am afraid Thailand is getting more like the West everyday, more laws,

regulations,and oppression of freedom , thought and speech,next it

will be CCTV on every corner,Oh thats already started.

regards Worgeordie

Well I don't need a VPN to look at porn in the UK and I can criticise the Queen if I want to. So maybe it's not such a bad thing.

[deepcell]

If Thailand starts to control everything everywhere, then it is time to move to another country. Perhaps Cambodia or Burma.

[gerry1011]

Many of you guys always come back with your desire to have crack downs on corruption, crack downs on dishonest politicians, crack downs on patronage, crack downs on dangerous driving, crack downs on discrimination towards farangs, crack downs on tourist scams, crack downs on police traps, crack downs on fake taxis, crack down on tax evasion, and this, and that, and more crack downs, and even more... till the Thai society becomes a replica of the western society and the great, and very well ruled, world that you left (or want to leave).

Then I don't understand why there is a negative feeling towards cracking down on the illegal Internet content. You all should be happy

Or is this a crack down that does not suit your "needs" ?

I think the problem people have is that this type of crackdown us generally used as a cloak to cover up a crackdown on freedom of speech, on anti government sites, on anything that will criticise a corrupt government and expose its imperfections, lies, ineptitude and intolerance of any view but their own.

I understand the concern the people have. They seemed however less concerned when the previous government was cracking down on the (red) opposition websites (and radio and TV stations, and newspapers,...).

People will of course reply that that particular crack down was "different" and justified. Of course...

Well, my point is not really related to politics. It is just that I read so many complaints on this forum that rules in Thailand are not respected and that it is so much "better" in the west, where there are rules and laws for everything. If people wish to have all types of rules enforced to feel better and more secure in their life in Thailand, then they should accept that rules are also enforced concerning illegal online content. Why not? Or should illegal online content be considered as a "special type" that you cannot crack down, for the sake of freedom of speech?

Now, if you want my personal opinion, I prefer less rules than more rules. This is why I like countries like Thailand. But, contrary to so many people on this forum, I also don't complain all the time about the lack of rules, or enforcement of rules in this country. I quite enjoy this lack of strict rules that make life in the west so boring. I live with it and adapt myself to this environment.

I just find it funny that people seem to react differently when enforcement of rules may come to disturb their online activities and anonymous freedom

Sent from my iPhone...

[Thai at Heart]

Forget online stuff, they can't even be bothered to stop it being sold on the main shopping streets of the capital.

Ah but no body cares about that..because it's in Thailand. People have to make a living..don't they? Plus censoring the internet is a much easier task.

With the added bonus of banning anything that threatens national harmony or security......

Ah but that seams the be the worlds most used reason for doing anything these days..US, EU, etc. Thailand's just late to the game and just caught on that, oh we can use that too..it seems to work everywhere else.

Thailand thrives on maintaining the status quo. We all know that. Big headlines for relatively meaningless content. Except when it comes to non-Thai's that is. But that's a different discussion.

(I don't hate Thailand, enjoy living here, but accept that some just tolerate us, while others don't mind us here at all. In either case, it's more enjoyable than back home, even if they are pretending. It's the law makers that I don't want to change their mind about letting us stay here...but worse case, there's other places to go...can't see that happening though).

This issue really has little to do with foreigners whatsoever.

[Thai at Heart]

I am afraid Thailand is getting more like the West everyday, more laws,

regulations,and oppression of freedom , thought and speech,next it

will be CCTV on every corner,Oh thats already started.

regards Worgeordie

Well I don't need a VPN to look at porn in the UK and I can criticise the Queen if I want to. So maybe it's not such a bad thing.

Geordie, what has more mimicking China or north Korea got to do with the west?

[GreenSnapper]

SSL VPNs are also blocked by most operators (at least openVPN). They hardly work if at all.

A work around is to use openVPN on tcp:443 instead of udp:1194

Blocking political sites is absolutely immoral. Porn sites I guess it's not too bad to block, specially those that charge money...

The government rather want you to spend your money on the girls here than on some American porn site. LOL.

But what is the point to block porn sites, if you go to Pantip plaza and there are porn DVDs all over the place.

waste of tax payers money....

I never understood why someone in Thailand needs porn.

Don't they have mirrors here?

[PoodMaiDai]

Cool, another crackdown.

[ignis]

No idea why but it appears that a crack down of this sort = porn sites to lots on here..

Myself think of True Vision [never had] and all the places offering IPTV......... can we all still get TV over the internet without paying True ?

[Noistar]

Many of you guys always come back with your desire to have crack downs on corruption, crack downs on dishonest politicians, crack downs on patronage, crack downs on dangerous driving, crack downs on discrimination towards farangs, crack downs on tourist scams, crack downs on police traps, crack downs on fake taxis, crack down on tax evasion, and this, and that, and more crack downs, and even more... till the Thai society becomes a replica of the western society and the great, and very well ruled, world that you left (or want to leave).

Then I don't understand why there is a negative feeling towards cracking down on the illegal Internet content. You all should be happy

Or is this a crack down that does not suit your "needs" ?

I think the problem people have is that this type of crackdown us generally used as a cloak to cover up a crackdown on freedom of speech, on anti government sites, on anything that will criticise a corrupt government and expose its imperfections, lies, ineptitude and intolerance of any view but their own.

I understand the concern the people have. They seemed however less concerned when the previous government was cracking down on the (red) opposition websites (and radio and TV stations, and newspapers,...).

People will of course reply that that particular crack down was "different" and justified. Of course...

Well, my point is not really related to politics. It is just that I read so many complaints on this forum that rules in Thailand are not respected and that it is so much "better" in the west, where there are rules and laws for everything. If people wish to have all types of rules enforced to feel better and more secure in their life in Thailand, then they should accept that rules are also enforced concerning illegal online content. Why not? Or should illegal online content be considered as a "special type" that you cannot crack down, for the sake of freedom of speech?

Now, if you want my personal opinion, I prefer less rules than more rules. This is why I like countries like Thailand. But, contrary to so many people on this forum, I also don't complain all the time about the lack of rules, or enforcement of rules in this country. I quite enjoy this lack of strict rules that make life in the west so boring. I live with it and adapt myself to this environment.

I just find it funny that people seem to react differently when enforcement of rules may come to disturb their online activities and anonymous freedom

Sent from my iPhone...

The only 'of course' is that the previous government suddenly appears in a thread.

Forget now, let's go back to the past - seems you've taken on-board Thai culture while you've adapted to this environment.

[BeforeTigers]

You can't trust the water from the tap, but they have time for this?

Crazy pills really have taken over.

[yoshiwara]

It's noteworthy that the newspaper uses this photo of a foreign person sitting at an ancient PC, monitor and printer setup. The newspaper should post up photos of the numerous computer piracy rooms manned by Thais that are around.

or preferably promos for the Thai Nerd Bar:

[slipperylobster]

Is that photo a likeness of the average TV poster one wonders...

cant figure out if thats one funny looking gentleman or a woman with a "tash"....either way that "person" says raving axe murdering serial killer to me...

I begged them not to take the photo but they said, 'No, we want a typical, average looking forum member'

"It" This is scarey.....thats the person who will be the one blocking the porn.

[slipperylobster]

You think there will be a problem with the language? I suppose they will be looking mainly at sites in the Thai language. Do we just use a different google site? ie google.co.th or google.co.ph or google.co.uk...etc Do sites get blacked by a central clearing house (ISP) .? Will farangs be untrackable due to the fact that the wifi bills and sign ups are done by a Thai person (wife/girlfriend). That is probably a benefit for us. Whose fingers are actually on that laptop downloading torrents, if the computer belongs to a Thai, the signup for service ..etc. How about routers ...do they pass on only one IP number even though many computers use that one onconnection? For example, is it safe to download torrents at a hotel, or from a 3bb wifi at Tesco or Big C??? This is confusing. How about tor/onion

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEMQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFdo73dkp_vA&ei=synqUerJDofYrQe8joH4AQ&usg=AFQjCNEF-csPUVvPcA1ken4CLDa4RsBuRQ&bvm=bv.49478099,d.bmk

[asiasurfer]

What?? No more online porn?? Oh come on...

[metisdead]

A post in violation of this guideline in the Forum Rules has been removed:

Posting in all capitals or in all bold, and using large or unusual fonts and colors is bad netiquette.

[attento]

If Thailand would give Politcal Asylum to Mr Edward Snowden, he could teach them just how the professionals snoop and hack into private communications . . . . (if they are not doing that already )

[i claudius]

just hope they leave pirate bay ,love it.

[NeverSure]

"Thailand to start cracking..."

I thought that's what the leaders were already doing.