EDITORIAL
Crackdown on 'rumour-mongering' is the wrong message
The Nation

By gagging online commentators, the authorities will not prevent panic spreading about a coup; they will only anger the public and jeopardise the government's case for 'reconciliation'

BANGKOK: -- One ugly truth in Thai politics is that every time the Army relocates its tanks, rumours of a possible coup spread like wildfire. The panic only intensifies if there happens to be a political rally underway. The military big shots are then obliged to declare publicly that there is no such revolt in the offing.

The usual scenario has taken an uglier turn this time, though, with coup gossip on the social networks being regarded as a breach of the law. On Monday police opened investigations into four people - including Sermsuk Kasitpradit, political editor of the Thai PBS channel - for allegedly causing panic through postings on Facebook. The police even threatened to charge those who clicked the "like" button on the posts. And anyone using a pseudonym online could be targeted as well.

The police claim the statements made by the four breach Article 14 of the National Computer Act and Article 116 of Criminal Law. The police might appear to be coming to the government's assistance in this matter, but surely they aren't doing it any favours by fostering a climate of political intimidation. If the four people accused caused panic, the police - in targeting a few "noisy" opinions on Facebook - have done exactly the same on the social media.

The legal overreaction has drawn widespread criticism, with such intimidation branded another form of censorship and a "witch-hunt" - the same term that was co-opted to condemn those who "intimidated" the red shirts during the previous political turmoil.

It is ironic that that a clampdown on opinion-makers on Facebook is being carried out while the government is putting all its efforts into passing its "amnesty" bill, which is aimed at pardoning those charged with crimes during the 2010-2011 mayhem. If the government has the intention to let people who damaged public and private property walk free, what logic is there behind targeting those who merely voice opinions on Facebook?

If the amnesty bill lets those responsible for inciting violence that led to death off the hook, what ground does the government have to justify action against those who post "unfavourable" comments online?

The four people under investigation caused no damage to the country. Panic might be part of the reason, but the police should not forget that it is not only these four who have talked about the possibility of a coup. If they bother to research and recall, they will find that people from the government side, including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng and Pheu Thai MP weng Tojirakan have also mentioned talk of a military coup within the last month. If the police think the four citizens created panic, why wasn't the public panicking when government officials talked about it?

By zeroing in on these four, including a media personality, the government is making a mistake. Such action only makes it appear to be moving away from its self-proclaimed democratic stance. More importantly, such a move only decreases the probability of achieving the ambitious "reconciliation" goal. When you want to make amends with your enemies, you don't tell them they are witches and throw stones at them.


-- The Nation 2013-08-07

It may be the wrong message but it's a very Thai message.

Thinking things through isn't a national trait so as soon as politicians hear or see something they don't like they go off half cocked make threats, file lawsuits and all the other playground stuff.

Add to the mix this governments attitude that free speech is only what they say it is.

It may be the wrong message but it's a very Thai message.

Thinking things through isn't a national trait so as soon as politicians hear or see something they don't like they go off half cocked make threats, file lawsuits and all the other playground stuff.

Add to the mix this governments attitude that free speech is only what they say it is.

You right, only it's not only thinking but also being logical.

In this instance , army could have waited few weeks or moved few weeks prior, but if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck and smells like a duck- good chance it is a duck

In Thailand vee haff vays of making hyu not tok...

We are heading towards dark times. You better believe that PTP would love nothing bette than full censorship. And when papa gets back into town and rounds up the old amart to install the new ones, nobody will be safe.

We are heading towards dark times. You better believe that PTP would love nothing bette than full censorship. And when papa gets back into town and rounds up the old amart to install the new ones, nobody will be safe.

Yes if ever gets back there's a lot of people who would be advised to head for the hills IF they can and since he knows all about taking flight I'm sure he'll do all he can to prevent them until he wreaks revenge.

Those who get out will find that unlike him where 2 governments have been in no mood to hunt, he will.

Well, they already seem to have blocked the link someone put on another thread to watch the Dems t.v. broadcasts online, though the tv channel is still running....

As I said before, under the Army's new policy any coup that may or may not be planned will only take place on either a Friday or Monday, giving the level headed citizens of this country an extra long, well deserved weekend break! If the army forget this rule then the citizens themselves should call a non-military coup!! In the mean time have a nice week and see what happens Friday or Monday!

Oh Shit! I've just clicked the Like Button on the OP

I suspect this action is another knee jerk in the usual fashion as I don't see this government having the intelligence to orchestrate a campaign to bring in complete censorship bit by bit.

With the Amnesty Bill like to kick off all sorts of things continued coup rumours could actually play into their hands as they can assure the public all sorts of measures are needed for the security and peace of the nation.

I heard the top army brass were waiting on better odds from Ladbrokes before they place their bets and roll the tanks.

Oh Shit! I've just clicked the Like Button on the OP

maybe you will get 7 years in Dubai

I call for a crackdown on rumor mongering crackdowns.

I agree they should crack on rumors on social media and I will add and moron posting any thing about electric bills