Thai PBS newsman to explain his Facebook postings on Friday

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POLITICS
TPBS newsman to explain his Facebook postings on Friday
The Nation



Lawyers, rights expert slam police for saying "like" or "Share" is a crime

BANGKOK: -- THAI PBS news editor Sermsuk Kasitipradit said he would go and give information to police on Friday after being summonsed to clarify a post he made on Facebook.

Many social media users have voiced support for Sermsuk and opposed a police statement that simply clicking "Like" or "Share" on Facebook could be a crime.

Legal experts and a human rights commissioner have also questioned the police's action.

Pol Maj-General Pisit Pao-in, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, said three other people summoned this week had not contacted police but closed their Facebook accounts.

Presidents of the National Press Council Chakkrish Permpool, who is also a legal expert, said Sermsuk referred to a message from a leaflet, and also posted that he disagreed.

Therefore, there was no proof of any intent by Sermsuk to disseminate a message that was threatening to national security.

"I have both factual and legal reasons to support my affirmation that Sermsuk must defy this abuse of state power. This is a fight for the rights and freedom of the press, not any particular person," he said.

'Statement unacceptable'

Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara also disagreed with the police's conduct. "The objective of the Computer Crime Act is to prevent violation related to computer crimes. But if it is used over the expression of 'different' opinions (from the state), it can be deemed violation," he said.

Mark Charoenwong, a public prosecutor at the International Affairs Department in the Office of the Attorney General, said people who click "like" on FB posts that cause public panic were not guilty until proven in court that they did this with the intention to inform friends, or to get friends to transfer the information in question.

If they clicked like without knowing the information would spread among friends, or clicked like for their own knowledge, they had not done wrong. This was because people on social media networks do not have the same level of computer literacy.

On Monday, Pisit said the four suspects posted messages via social media, saying they anticipated a coup and urged people to stock up on food and water in preparation for a shortage. And such statements could put people in a state of panic.

Pisit said the four may have breached Article 14 of the National Computer Act and Article 116 of the Criminal Law.

If found guilty, they could be subject to up to five years in jail and a fine up to Bt100,000. And anyone who pressed "Like" or shared the messages could also be liable to such punishment.


-- The Nation 2013-08-07

[reiltin]

Now you don't even have to voice a dissenting opinion,merely agreeing is sufficient to bring the police to your door.I'm not on facebook(old school)But I will be going to parliament today as I did 3 years ago with my father in law(I doubt the live music and free ice cream will be available this time)Some reading this will wonder why as a foreigner I'd be bothered at all...The TIT brigade in particular...it's perhaps something to think about....while opinion now is forbidden,how long before thought becomes a crime...

[tominbkk]

Now you don't even have to voice a dissenting opinion,merely agreeing is sufficient to bring the police to your door.I'm not on facebook(old school)But I will be going to parliament today as I did 3 years ago with my father in law(I doubt the live music and free ice cream will be available this time)Some reading this will wonder why as a foreigner I'd be bothered at all...The TIT brigade in particular...it's perhaps something to think about....while opinion now is forbidden,how long before thought becomes a crime...

They are taking away people's rights left and right. not long before we have paramilitary roaming the streets, and spy cells listening in for anti PTP whispers. After that goons showing up at your door to give you a fatal warning.

[arthurboy]

Mark Charoenwong, a public prosecutor at the International Affairs Department in the Office of the Attorney General, said people who click "like" on FB posts that cause public panic were not guilty until proven in court that they did this with the intention to inform friends, or to get friends to transfer the information in question.

If they clicked like without knowing the information would spread among friends, or clicked like for their own knowledge, they had not done wrong. This was because people on social media networks do not have the same level of computer literacy.

Nob.

It does make you wonder, though, if Thailand is getting a share of 'data' and 'information' from the NSA's XKeyscore programme in return for hosting servers here.

Of course that's just ill-informed, non-expert speculation and my unwarranted, poorly thought-out personal opinion.

If anyone reads this, please be aware that you will self-destruct in 10 seconds. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Edited August 7, 2013 by arthurboy

[NongKhaiKid]

Most would say this is hard to believe but the way things are these days it's eminently believable and is the top of a very slippery slope.

PTP are making it clear they will go to any lengths to have full control and get their way.

I sincerely hope the opposition rallies are orderly because if not it will give the government excuses for more control, not that they need them but it looks good, and for the red to hit the streets to " protect " them.

[Bluespunk]

10 commandments: PT version

1: thou shalt worship none but thy lord and master thaksin.

2: thou shalt not stop us stealing our neighbours goods.

3: thou shalt not contradict us.

4: thou shalt not form an opinion.

5: thou shalt not think.

6: thou shalt not like those who do either 4 or 5.

7: thou shalt not mention corruption or the rice scheme.

8: we really do mean it about the rice scheme.

9: no honestly don't say anything

10: whatever went wrong we didn't do it.

[Emptyset]

Most would say this is hard to believe but the way things are these days it's eminently believable and is the top of a very slippery slope.

PTP are making it clear they will go to any lengths to have full control and get their way.

I sincerely hope the opposition rallies are orderly because if not it will give the government excuses for more control, not that they need them but it looks good, and for the red to hit the streets to " protect " them.

Two of the four facing these possible charges are red shirts btw. This is a weird one as though I definitely don't think PT are friends of free speech, I just don't see how having people arrested for discussing a potential coup benefits them. As has been pointed out, it's usually their people that bring up coup rumours anyway.

Edit: One plausible reason might be that the government thinks that more people will protest against them if the coup rumours are strong enough. Might just be for show. If that's the case, it's pretty dumb - if anything it highlights the coup issue more and makes the government look insecure.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Emptyset

[gl555]

The PTP party is bit by bit taking away the basic rights of the people. Or rather people who don't wear red.

Sooner or later, talking sh#t here on Thaivisa about them is going to be a crime too. Oh wait, they're too stupid to understand English. Look at their PM! We're safe!

[GentlemanJim]

Thailand Hub of really amazing things.......If you like this message please share with your friends

[NongKhaiKid]

Most would say this is hard to believe but the way things are these days it's eminently believable and is the top of a very slippery slope.

PTP are making it clear they will go to any lengths to have full control and get their way.

I sincerely hope the opposition rallies are orderly because if not it will give the government excuses for more control, not that they need them but it looks good, and for the red to hit the streets to " protect " them.

Two of the four facing these possible charges are red shirts btw. This is a weird one as though I definitely don't think PT are friends of free speech, I just don't see how having people arrested for discussing a potential coup benefits them. As has been pointed out, it's usually their people that bring up coup rumours anyway.

Edit: One plausible reason might be that the government thinks that more people will protest against them if the coup rumours are strong enough. Might just be for show. If that's the case, it's pretty dumb - if anything it highlights the coup issue more and makes the government look insecure.

Is there a chance the reds involved in this are being reminded there's a party line and they need to toe it ?

I'm sure lots of coup suggestions will fire up the reds without having to be told to be ready to act but this government is stupid enough to tie itself in knots as I don't see them as masters of intrigue. Mind you they do seem to operate in the belief they can get away with anything.

[Baerboxer]

It's interesting that the PM can go to a foreign country and make a speech about the fight for democracy in Thailand and the right of free speech. This was very clearly intended for wide international consumption.

Yet at home, any form of comment or criticism is not to be tolerated and will be dealt with by defamation suits, and manipulating laws to punish those who dare to challenge or have a different view.

This is the same democracy people used to enjoy in the soviet union. Why do these political parties all claim to be democratic peoples' parties when in fact they are completely the opposite.

I guess, from the lack of comments I've seen in the international media, few outside of Thailand actually give a monkeys anyway.

[soumanioco]

Now you don't even have to voice a dissenting opinion,merely agreeing is sufficient to bring the police to your door.I'm not on facebook(old school)But I will be going to parliament today as I did 3 years ago with my father in law(I doubt the live music and free ice cream will be available this time)Some reading this will wonder why as a foreigner I'd be bothered at all...The TIT brigade in particular...it's perhaps something to think about....while opinion now is forbidden,how long before thought becomes a crime...

This ship has sailed: expressing your thoughts/opinions is already a crime in many EU countries where people are imprisoned just for writing a book.

[Thaddeus]

Can the general population of Thailand Unfriend the police?

Or is it too late.

[gl555]

Really? Which country are those?

And are they going to arrest people for liking those books also?

Now you don't even have to voice a dissenting opinion,merely agreeing is sufficient to bring the police to your door.I'm not on facebook(old school)But I will be going to parliament today as I did 3 years ago with my father in law(I doubt the live music and free ice cream will be available this time)Some reading this will wonder why as a foreigner I'd be bothered at all...The TIT brigade in particular...it's perhaps something to think about....while opinion now is forbidden,how long before thought becomes a crime...

This ship has sailed: expressing your thoughts/opinions is already a crime in many EU countries where people are imprisoned just for writing a book.

[Thai at Heart]

The truly amazing thing, is that they really believe that they can carry this type of threat, or prosecution out to a level that will work.

If you treat people like naughty children, they will act like naughty children. What will the internet fraternity do? Start writing in code? Have 30mn likes for a post? Set up 1000's of pages to overwhelm the system. This is not East Germany, Thai's are absolutely addicted to social networking? Why? Because it allows them to talk about stuff that often they can't talk about privately.

They have tried to crack down on white masks. They have had their government websites hacked. The Thai people are not that scared of the government, in that way, beecause the internet gives them a level of freedom, and all the government will succeed in doing is make the people find inventive ways to say the same things without actually saying it. What are they going to do next? Threaten jounalists for asking government officials if there is going to be a coup, and then threaten politicians for denying it? Maybe they can threaten an army general when he doesn't give a whole answer about whether there will be a coup. Maybe they would prefer he phrases his answers as "No comment". Is that better?

I wonder what the embassies are going to make of this in their weekly briefing back home? These people are socio-legal numbskulls.

Better prepare for next week, they say it is going to rain all week, so better to have the house full of food and drink because you won't be able to go to the shops too easily.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[johntren]

The PTP party is bit by bit taking away the basic rights of the people. Or rather people who don't wear red.

Sooner or later, talking sh#t here on Thaivisa about them is going to be a crime too. Oh wait, they're too stupid to understand English. Look at their PM! We're safe!

This highlights something I've often wondered about while exploring some of the more 'interesting' threads here. To what extent to the authorities monitor TV? Do the moderators have any anecdotal or other evidence that Big Brother may be watching us?

[bigbamboo]

This is becoming reminiscent of when the Mr T tried to sue a young journalist for one billion baht for suggesting impropriety when he was PM. This intimidatory action was met with strong resistance from the international media and due to the support she received worldwide he was forced to back down.

If this kind of approach continues then Thailand may have to follow the example of similarly insecure regimes and ban sites which allow for any criticism of it's leaders.

[ginjag]

Come on Thailand what have you got to hide ?????? or is this why you take this tough line because you don't want to be open ???? Sorry because of worldwide media and internet you have to come clean---after all it is better for your country isn't it ??? maybe you still think you can have a closed shop. if you do you will have to stop the access of world travellers and business, and take full control of the people. I can't believe that you have that much pulling power.

[Bluespunk]

Gerd Hosnik and David Irving were spreading hate and intolerance. Hosnik in particular is a rabid anti-semite. Thats why they were gaoled.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Bluespunk

[tomross46]

George Orwell is very happy, 1984 is here. Big Brother is watching.

[Maggusoil]

The PTP party is bit by bit taking away the basic rights of the people. Or rather people who don't wear red.

Sooner or later, talking sh#t here on Thaivisa about them is going to be a crime too. Oh wait, they're too stupid to understand English. Look at their PM! We're safe!

This highlights something I've often wondered about while exploring some of the more 'interesting' threads here. To what extent to the authorities monitor TV? Do the moderators have any anecdotal or other evidence that Big Brother may be watching us?

The point is it doesn't take much for Big Brother to monitor anything. Computers are programmed already to detect, certain phrases, which are then analysed and notes taken. Perpetrators recorded. Black marks assigned.

Thai Visa would be a perfect place to monitor "thought" crime. Plenty of criminals here it seems. There are already rules on TV against criticising . . . . . . Is this not so? There are those of us who have learned the hard way, not to do it. Or we are silenced. Sliced, diced and put in the cone of silence. These TV rules protect the management, so they can run a business without breaking the law. Fair enough.

It is not just on its way. It is here and now.

[soumanioco]

Thought we were talking about "thought policing" in general...

Don't want to compare anything but the policing of thought itself.

You really want to compare Nazis and holocaust deniers to what's happening here? Mmmmkay

[gl555]

There are degrees and limits to everything.

Thought we were talking about "thought policing" in general...

Don't want to compare anything but the policing of thought itself.

You really want to compare Nazis and holocaust deniers to what's happening here? Mmmmkay

[Chao Lao Beach]

Confirm the OP a SATIRE story? I am confused.

[aechzen]

facebook is an internet game !!! a game for free mind and free speak !! for lonley people who's want to have many friends

[GentlemanJim]

This is just a step too far and the maddening thing is....it is working! My wife tells me today that the internet/facebook etc that is normally full of Thai chat about how bad Yingluck and PTP are has all stopped. Everyone has instantly stopped voicing their opinion. Literally quite amazing. I guess that high speed train being built at Chiang Mai will have a direct link to N. Korea, because that's where the current doctrine is heading. Can anyone name any other country in the world at the moment where you can be arrested for pressing like or share on facebook? I am staggered. I would gladly see a case all the way through court and as part of my defence play every single clip of the PM abroad saying how much Thailand values free speech and democracy.

My wife actually said to me today to please be cautious with comments I make on TV and you know...........she is right! I am afraid to say that we should all be cautious with what we say. I hope those amongst us that have been the most ardent supporters of the PM and PTP are currently hanging their heads in shame. I hope the international press give this story the maximum airtime possible. And on that note I am out of the discussion regarding any further comment of opposition.

You really want to compare Nazis and holocaust deniers to what's happening here? Mmmmkay

If someone wants to be a holocaust denier then as far as I am concerned that is their right and freedom to do so. If they believe in an alternative reality then so what, what has it got to do with you or anyone else. There are people around with far more subversive thoughts than Holocaust denial and what they think and publish is not illegal. It is a sham on democracy and free speech to make holocaust denial illegal. The people concerned may be considered mad, but so what? It is freedom of speech and democracy, end of argument. Holocaust denial is not as dangerous or as irresponsible as shouting fire in a crowded theatre when there isn't one. One case is barmy the other could be dangerously irresponsible, one is free speech the other is not. How HD has been made illegal is amazing in this day and age.

[Thai at Heart]

This is just a step too far and the maddening thing is....it is working! My wife tells me today that the internet/facebook etc that is normally full of Thai chat about how bad Yingluck and PTP are has all stopped. Everyone has instantly stopped voicing their opinion. Literally quite amazing. I guess that high speed train being built at Chiang Mai will have a direct link to N. Korea, because that's where the current doctrine is heading. Can anyone name any other country in the world at the moment where you can be arrested for pressing like or share on facebook? I am staggered. I would gladly see a case all the way through court and as part of my defence play every single clip of the PM abroad saying how much Thailand values free speech and democracy.

My wife actually said to me today to please be cautious with comments I make on TV and you know...........she is right! I am afraid to say that we should all be cautious with what we say. I hope those amongst us that have been the most ardent supporters of the PM and PTP are currently hanging their heads in shame. I hope the international press give this story the maximum airtime possible. And on that note I am out of the discussion regarding any further comment of opposition.

You really want to compare Nazis and holocaust deniers to what's happening here? Mmmmkay

If someone wants to be a holocaust denier then as far as I am concerned that is their right and freedom to do so. If they believe in an alternative reality then so what, what has it got to do with you or anyone else. There are people around with far more subversive thoughts than Holocaust denial and what they think and publish is not illegal. It is a sham on democracy and free speech to make holocaust denial illegal. The people concerned may be considered mad, but so what? It is freedom of speech and democracy, end of argument. Holocaust denial is not as dangerous or as irresponsible as shouting fire in a crowded theatre when there isn't one. One case is barmy the other could be dangerously irresponsible, one is free speech the other is not. How HD has been made illegal is amazing in this day and age.

I just received a link on Facebook to a "love Thaksin" page. Should I like it? It's all going nuts. This is one for anonymous. They could crash just about everything in the country in a minute on the basis that 70% of the software is bogus.

The holocaust issue is interesting. It's no issue with me if it is denied, problem is if people use it to stoke hatred. That said, by that half the religious books in the world would also be banned.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[soumanioco]

Taking the easy way out then... Fine by me.

Good thing there are still a few "gentlemen" left on TV.

There are degrees and limits to everything.

Thought we were talking about "thought policing" in general...

Don't want to compare anything but the policing of thought itself.

You really want to compare Nazis and holocaust deniers to what's happening here? Mmmmkay

[gl555]

A lot of people like porn. Me too. Some say it should be banned. I say not.

Then there's kiddy porn, animal porn and maybe even snuff films out there. These should be banned, don't you think?

It has nothing to do with 'taking the easy way out', Everything has a limit. It's just where the line should be drawn and in this case, the PTP is going too far.

Taking the easy way out then... Fine by me.

Good thing there are still a few "gentlemen" left on TV.

There are degrees and limits to everything.

Thought we were talking about "thought policing" in general...

Don't want to compare anything but the policing of thought itself.

You really want to compare Nazis and holocaust deniers to what's happening here? Mmmmkay

[davidstipek]

If I go to jail for posting these questions... Be ready to try to "Save Face" as it has already been inked what was said, word for word. My Face is saved, I will survive... will the one in question?

Buddha be Praised for speaking "What was on his Mind" sorry but I listened!