Media groups study Thai police action over Facebook posts

[webfact]

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Media groups study police action over online posts
Asina Pornwasin,
Pakorn Puengnetr
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Professional media associations are studying whether police intimidated the media when they summoned social-media users, including a Thai PBS news editor, over their Facebook posts.

The Society Online News Providers and the Thai Journalists Association will meet today to decide their views over the police taking action against TPBS political news editor Sermsuk Kasitipradit for his Facebook post on the possibility of a looming coup.

Meanwhile, TPBS managing director Somchai Suwanban on Tuesday issued a statement in response to the police's move to summon Sermsuk to face charges for violating the Computer Crime Act.

The statement said Sermsuk made the comment with honest intention, a right guaranteed by the Constitution. If Sermsuk's action was in violation of any law, investigation should be conducted in a fair manner without discrimination or hidden agenda.

The Thai PBS managing director has instructed Sermsuk to exercise caution in expressing his opinion via media channels, being aware that his comments must not adversely affect his organisation and his own credibility as a media professional, the statement said.

Thai PBS has upheld the media code of conduct and ethics in carrying out media work, including expressing opinion on online media networks. The agency would conduct a probe into the incident involving Sermsuk and take appropriate and fair measures accordingly, the statement said.

On Monday, Pol Maj-General Pisit Paoin, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, said four suspects, including Sermsuk, 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. Such statements could cause people to panic, he said. Anyone who pressed "Like" or shared the messages could also be liable for punishment.

Pisit said yesterday that a suspect, whose Facebook name is Pu Chon Buri Nak Su Tulee Din, had turned himself in while Sermsuk would meet the police tomorrow.

A cyber law expert, who asked not to be named, read Sermsuk's Facebook messages and said that Sermsuk did not violate the law.

"I am confident that he did not violate either Article 116 of the Criminal Law or the Computer Crime Act," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-08-08

[Thait Spot]

I look forward to seeing Jatuporn arrested for crying "coup" hundreds of times.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NongKhaiKid]

I look forward to seeing Jatuporn arrested for crying "coup" hundreds of times.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Nice thought but BIB are only carrying out the instructions of their political and maybe spiritual masters and that will never include arresting anyone too close to home unless they really fall out of favour.

[MaxLee]

The Thai PBS managing director has instructed Sermsuk to exercise caution in expressing his opinion via media channels, being aware that his comments must not adversely affect his organisation and his own credibility as a media professional, the statement said.

In other words, don't make me lose face...

[OzMick]

I wondered how long before the Thought Police were sent out to restrain non-sycophants. They are lucky in having the Computer Crime Act which seems to cover thoughts conveyed by any form of electronic communication, but has no relevance to dodgy purchase scams of tablets or pads.

[HuaHinHarold]

Thai PBS has upheld the media code of conduct and ethics in carrying out media work, including expressing opinion on online media networks.

And even that is coming under increased scrutinizing and censoring by Yingluck's administration.

Anyone who pressed "Like" or shared the messages could also be liable for punishment.

The height of absurdity as well as the ridiculous suppression of the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of opinion.

The choke hold on Thailand exerted by the cloned-one tightens.

[Tatsujin]

Another step closer to the ideals and control that Thaksin holds so dear . . . those displayed by North Korea.

[Bluespunk]

"The Thai PBS managing director has instructed Sermsuk to exercise caution in expressing his opinion via media channels, being aware that his comments must not adversely affect his organisation and his own credibility as a media professional, the statement said"

So you don't want your political editor to express an opinion that the govt won't like. Do you understand what a political editors job is? Clearly you prefer self censorship.

[klubex99]

This a another funny act that everyone ignores. But allows the government to strongarm its opponents that may well seem a threat to their cushy little boltholes. The normal people just ignore it. The internet is awash with anti-government sentiment and new examples are being uploaded hundreds of times per minute across the country.

God only knows how many anti-government posts exist on the thaivisa database.... anyone counted?

Just to be on the safe side, I wouldn't 'like' this post. Just in case. Best to PM me in private and offer to buy me a beer instead.

Edited August 8, 2013 by klubex99

[nakhonandy]

Selective justice?

[klauskunkel]

A cyber law expert, who asked not to be named, read Sermsuk's Facebook messages and said that Sermsuk did not violate the law.

"I am confident that he did not violate either Article 116 of the Criminal Law or the Computer Crime Act," he said.

...but I'm sure we will find something to charge him with. (I dare you all to press "Like This", muahhahhaa!)

Edited August 8, 2013 by klauskunkel

[Torrens54]

My wife is standing alongside me, ready to snap shut the lid of my Laptop on my fingers, the moment she sees me start to make any comment on this matter.

She reminds me that I am a guest in this country.

Enough Said!!

[Emdog]

Some wag once said "Governments never shut down the press that agrees with it". Freedom of speech as long as you support us. Declaration of human rights, anyone?

[Cnxforever]

Another step closer to the ideals and control that Thaksin holds so dear . . . those displayed by North Korea.

please do your homework......... the computer crime act, enacted in 2007 by the Surayud Chulanont government following the 2006 coup....the computer crime act was signed into law by the military instaled Chulanont government AFTER the coup!

Can't you Thaksin haters not stay at least a little bit objective!...those who like the "ideals and controls" as you say "North Korean style " in this country are always the same people - regardless of who they allow to be in government.

It is not so long ago that you - as a private person - could not own a satellite TV dish for "national security reasons" in Thailand - during and after the Suchinda coup we had to rely on copied video tapes from universities who had access to foreign satellite TV stations and the Thais where shoked what they saw at the Royal Hotel and nearby - they had only been fed military propaganda at home. Before that time they received only brainwashing as the regular Somchai had no access to any outside information !

Not so much later a friend of mine lost his job because he wrote a column that "finally the internet had arrived in Thailand" in a well known English newspaper and had to apologize to the dean of a university for writing the article as the internet was only for the privileged few in Thailand and "regular"people where to be kept in the dark about it for as long as possible.

When they finally could not hold back anymore and allow internet access to everyone (for obvious reasons - making money!) they started to censor it!

You have to dig a little bit deeper if you want to find out who wants to control what information is good for you and what not - and who wants to prosecute you for saying things they don't like to hear!

The enactment of the computer crime act had one objective only - repression and curtailment of freedom of speach - any other reasons given are pure propaganda or blatant lies!

Nobody would object to use a computer crime act to catch real criminals who commit online fraud - the computer crime act in Thailand is missused to silence people and force them into self censorship - as much as the criminal libel laws do in this country.

Governments change - the people who want to control what what you can say and what access you have to information stay the same!

[Tatsujin]

Another step closer to the ideals and control that Thaksin holds so dear . . . those displayed by North Korea.

please do your homework......... the computer crime act, enacted in 2007 by the Surayud Chulanont government following the 2006 coup....the computer crime act was signed into law by the military instaled Chulanont government AFTER the coup!

Can't you Thaksin haters not stay at least a little bit objective!...those who like the "ideals and controls" as you say "North Korean style " in this country are always the same people - regardless of who they allow to be in government.

It is not so long ago that you - as a private person - could not own a satellite TV dish for "national security reasons" in Thailand - during and after the Suchinda coup we had to rely on copied video tapes from universities who had access to foreign satellite TV stations and the Thais where shoked what they saw at the Royal Hotel and nearby - they had only been fed military propaganda at home. Before that time they received only brainwashing as the regular Somchai had no access to any outside information !

Not so much later a friend of mine lost his job because he wrote a column that "finally the internet had arrived in Thailand" in a well known English newspaper and had to apologize to the dean of a university for writing the article as the internet was only for the privileged few in Thailand and "regular"people where to be kept in the dark about it for as long as possible.

When they finally could not hold back anymore and allow internet access to everyone (for obvious reasons - making money!) they started to censor it!

You have to dig a little bit deeper if you want to find out who wants to control what information is good for you and what not - and who wants to prosecute you for saying things they don't like to hear!

The enactment of the computer crime act had one objective only - repression and curtailment of freedom of speach - any other reasons given are pure propaganda or blatant lies!

Nobody would object to use a computer crime act to catch real criminals who commit online fraud - the computer crime act in Thailand is missused to silence people and force them into self censorship - as much as the criminal libel laws do in this country.

Governments change - the people who want to control what what you can say and what access you have to information stay the same!

Not entirely sure of the full message in your little rant, but you kind of said what I said in my one sentence . . . that control over information (and the country) resides with the few . . .

As for "Governments change" . . . that's kind of my point also . . . the backroom dealings currently going on are attempting to ensure that the current Govt doesn't change and will be supported (in Public) by an "heir".

You need to dig a little deeper also.

[Thait Spot]

Another step closer to the ideals and control that Thaksin holds so dear . . . those displayed by North Korea.

please do your homework......... the computer crime act, enacted in 2007 by the Surayud Chulanont government following the 2006 coup....the computer crime act was signed into law by the military instaled Chulanont government AFTER the coup!

Can't you Thaksin haters not stay at least a little bit objective!...those who like the "ideals and controls" as you say "North Korean style " in this country are always the same people - regardless of who they allow to be in government.

It is not so long ago that you - as a private person - could not own a satellite TV dish for "national security reasons" in Thailand - during and after the Suchinda coup we had to rely on copied video tapes from universities who had access to foreign satellite TV stations and the Thais where shoked what they saw at the Royal Hotel and nearby - they had only been fed military propaganda at home. Before that time they received only brainwashing as the regular Somchai had no access to any outside information !

Not so much later a friend of mine lost his job because he wrote a column that "finally the internet had arrived in Thailand" in a well known English newspaper and had to apologize to the dean of a university for writing the article as the internet was only for the privileged few in Thailand and "regular"people where to be kept in the dark about it for as long as possible.

When they finally could not hold back anymore and allow internet access to everyone (for obvious reasons - making money!) they started to censor it!

You have to dig a little bit deeper if you want to find out who wants to control what information is good for you and what not - and who wants to prosecute you for saying things they don't like to hear!

The enactment of the computer crime act had one objective only - repression and curtailment of freedom of speach - any other reasons given are pure propaganda or blatant lies!

Nobody would object to use a computer crime act to catch real criminals who commit online fraud - the computer crime act in Thailand is missused to silence people and force them into self censorship - as much as the criminal libel laws do in this country.

Governments change - the people who want to control what what you can say and what access you have to information stay the same!

There have been a few governments since then.

Only one of which as interpreted the law is this draconian way

[Thai at Heart]

Always find it so typically stupid, that people believe they can protect something by making people not talk about it.

[scorecard]

Thai PBS has upheld the media code of conduct and ethics in carrying out media work, including expressing opinion on online media networks.

And even that is coming under increased scrutinizing and censoring by Yingluck's administration.

Anyone who pressed "Like" or shared the messages could also be liable for punishment.

The height of absurdity as well as the ridiculous suppression of the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of opinion.

The choke hold on Thailand exerted by the cloned-one tightens.

Another point:

Is there any definition (Thai or any country, or an international protocol perhaps) of what 'like' means.

Seems to me that there's an assumption by the police (and others) that 'like' means 'agree', only.

But IMHO there could be many folks (world wide) who hit the 'like button because:

- They 'agree',or

- They simply find the post in question to be 'interesting' comment, or

- They simply find the post in question to be one interesting perspective / argument etc., of a discussion, but not necessarily 'agreeing' to the comment.

Edited August 12, 2013 by scorecard

[tonneke breda]

When do they start to catch criminals, oohs, they to busy with checking the internet

[Thai at Heart]

Thai PBS has upheld the media code of conduct and ethics in carrying out media work, including expressing opinion on online media networks.

And even that is coming under increased scrutinizing and censoring by Yingluck's administration.

Anyone who pressed "Like" or shared the messages could also be liable for punishment.

The height of absurdity as well as the ridiculous suppression of the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of opinion.

The choke hold on Thailand exerted by the cloned-one tightens.

Another point:

Is there any definition (Thai or any country, or an international protocol perhaps) of what 'like' means.

Seems to me that there's an assumption by the police (and others) that 'like' means 'agree', only.

But IMHO there could be many folks (world wide) who hit the 'like button because:

- They 'agree',or

- They simply find the post in question to be 'interesting' comment, or

- They simply find the post in question to be one interesting perspective / argument etc., of a discussion, but not necessarily 'agreeing' to the comment.

Any half decent lawyer would have this lot spinning for fun. What constitutes free speech? What constitutes national security? What constitutes the meaning of like? Why can't you talk about a coup?

Can I call him up and ask him to investigate himself for damaging the country for attacking freedom of expression?

They can't prove even that that person is the official owner of the Facebook account. You think they will subpoena Facebook to appear?

Edited August 12, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[zydeco]

Thai PBS has upheld the media code of conduct and ethics in carrying out media work, including expressing opinion on online media networks.

And even that is coming under increased scrutinizing and censoring by Yingluck's administration.

Anyone who pressed "Like" or shared the messages could also be liable for punishment.

The height of absurdity as well as the ridiculous suppression of the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of opinion.

The choke hold on Thailand exerted by the cloned-one tightens.

Another point:

Is there any definition (Thai or any country, or an international protocol perhaps) of what 'like' means.

Seems to me that there's an assumption by the police (and others) that 'like' means 'agree', only.

But IMHO there could be many folks (world wide) who hit the 'like button because:

- They 'agree',or

- They simply find the post in question to be 'interesting' comment, or

- They simply find the post in question to be one interesting perspective / argument etc., of a discussion, but not necessarily 'agreeing' to the comment.

Or, simply, an acknowledgment that in fact I did see your reply and read it.

[zydeco]

Thai PBS has upheld the media code of conduct and ethics in carrying out media work, including expressing opinion on online media networks.

And even that is coming under increased scrutinizing and censoring by Yingluck's administration.

Anyone who pressed "Like" or shared the messages could also be liable for punishment.

The height of absurdity as well as the ridiculous suppression of the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of opinion.

The choke hold on Thailand exerted by the cloned-one tightens.

Another point:

Is there any definition (Thai or any country, or an international protocol perhaps) of what 'like' means.

Seems to me that there's an assumption by the police (and others) that 'like' means 'agree', only.

But IMHO there could be many folks (world wide) who hit the 'like button because:

- They 'agree',or

- They simply find the post in question to be 'interesting' comment, or

- They simply find the post in question to be one interesting perspective / argument etc., of a discussion, but not necessarily 'agreeing' to the comment.

Or, simply, an acknowledgment that in fact I did see your reply and read it.

[EyesWideOpen]

My wife is standing alongside me, ready to snap shut the lid of my Laptop on my fingers, the moment she sees me start to make any comment on this matter.

She reminds me that I am a guest in this country.

Enough Said!!

This post makes no sense. We all have passports to another country.

If Thailand goes wacko and limits freedom of speech to the extent of North Korea, time to get on a plane and get the bleep out of here...