Social media: Scare tactic successful, says crime suppression chief

[webfact]

Scare tactic successful, says crime suppression chief
Pakorn Puengnetr,
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

THE CHIEF of the police's Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) yesterday admitted to using as a scare tactic a police warning to take criminal action against those who "like" or share anti-government statements on social media deemed harmful to national security.

As it had effectively discouraged netizens from spreading online comments on an ongoing political situation, the policy would continue, Pol Maj-General Phisit Pao-in insisted.

He said the netizens' campaign was not illegal in itself and the four people summoned for posting or distributing statements about a possible coup and calling on people to hoard food and supplies ahead of political rallies against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had not yet been treated as suspects.

"We are seeking to resort to a psychological impact in terms of crime prevention, and not wanting them to go to jail," he said.

"The policy against posting seemingly harmful statements, or 'liking' and sharing them, has been very effective. Since I made the announcement [on August 5] threatening to take legal action, Thai social media have become silent. My emphasis about imposing the policy is aimed at maintaining peace and order," Phisit added.

The division commander said "liking" such statements fell under the 2007 Computer Crimes Act, which targets the distribution of false or baseless statements harmful to national security.

"Police do not stop you from 'liking' such statements, but this can subject you to facing criminal action," he said.

Sharing such statements may or may not violate the law, depending whether you put your own words in support of them, he said. "If you share them with your comments based on instructional purposes or based on your opposition to them, this is not illegal," he added.

The four media associations yesterday issued an open letter to the TCSD, saying that comments made by Sermsuk Kasitipradit, the editor of Thai PBS's politics and security news desk, was within his constitutional rights to freedom of expression and had not meant to cause panic or disorder to the public, as alleged in a TCSD summons concerning his statements.

The media bodies said strict interpretation of the law by the TCSD was an act of intimidation against members of the public in regard to the expression of their views on social media, and therefore an abuse of power under Article 157 of the Criminal Code.

The four organisations said they deemed "liking" and sharing statements on social media to be a natural act of interactivity among netizens, and the police should not interpret such actions as offences under the 2007 Computer Crime Act, unless there was proof that those who like or share the comments know that they were false or harmful to national security.

Sermsuk yesterday met with TCSD officials along with his lawyer, and said later that he felt relieved after explaining his stance to the division, that is, that he had not meant to cause disorder through his Facebook comments.

"Being summoned on this occasion will not affect how I post my future comments online," he added.

Lawyer Nakhon Chomphoochart said Sermsuk's role as a media member was to seek truths and make them public, including those about to be published or which still need verification.

"His statements tell of a rumour and explain that it is rather untrue, with the purpose of informing the public and to seek verification about it. There are his comments added to the lead statement, that it is difficult for [what is suggested by] this rumour to be true," he added.


-- The Nation 2013-08-10

[chooka]

"As it had effectively discouraged netizens from spreading online comments on an ongoing political situation"

Shouldn't that read, "As it had effectively discouraged "Freedom of Speech"

CITIZENS PLEASE NOTE. "You opinions are not welcome". Your role is to serve the country and it's Political leaders.

Edited August 9, 2013 by chooka

[Robby nz]

As it had effectively discouraged netizens from spreading online comments on an ongoing political situation"

Shouldn't that read, "As it had effectively discouraged "Freedom of Speech"

CITIZENS PLEASE NOTE. "You opinions are not welcome". Your role is to serve the country and it's Political leaders.

CITIZENS PLEASE NOTE. "You opinions are not welcome". Your role is to serve the country's Political leaders.

Just a slight correction there.

[dcutman]

"The policy against posting seemingly harmful statements, or 'liking' and sharing them, has been very effective. Since I made the announcement [on August 5] threatening to take legal action, Thai social media have become silent. My emphasis about imposing the policy is aimed at maintaining peace and order," Phisit added.

So whats the next on the list for intimidating people that are anti government/Thaksin?

Russian roulette?

[Thai at Heart]

We have successfully intimidated people into silence. And he's quite proud of his achievement.

[Songhua]

Ah, so it is not illegal to share a link or comment if you are opposed to it.

The authorities must be very proud of what has been achieved here. That is of course until next time the people wish to comment on an issue affecting their lives and THEIR nation - only to discover it was something they weren't allowed to have a thought about.

[dcutman]

We have successfully intimidated people into silence. And he's quite proud of his achievement.

There are some images from a part of German history that would go very well with this article, but they would get deleted.

[Thai at Heart]

We have successfully intimidated people into silence. And he's quite proud of his achievement.

There are some images from a part of German history that would go very well with this article, but they would get deleted.

I am so glad i have resolved to go home. It gets a little worse every day at the moment. Wake up Thai people and see what is going on here.

[Tatsujin]

Is Thailand a communist state now? Fine examples of Democracy in action once again . . . oh wait, Thailand's never had real Democracy, only the version where those in power dictates who to vote for, what to do, and how to do it . . . hang on, that's getting close to another 'ism . . . not sure which one applies here though, fascism, communism, but actually I think it's Thaksinism.

[Thai at Heart]

Is Thailand a communist state now? Fine examples of Democracy in action once again . . . oh wait, Thailand's never had real Democracy, only the version where those in power dictates who to vote for, what to do, and how to do it . . . hang on, that's getting close to another 'ism . . . not sure which one applies here though, fascism, communism, but actually I think it's Thaksinism.

The message has always been "managed" here. Now it is going to new heights. No one wants the little guys to have opinions, or even express a "like".

Very worrying times.

[NongKhaiKid]

Only in Thailand. Officialdom comes up with a successful albeit questionable tactic and instead of keeping it under wraps for re-use they boast about it.

Thinking things through ?

[Tatsujin]

Only in Thailand. Officialdom comes up with a successful albeit questionable tactic and instead of keeping it under wraps for re-use they boast about it.

Thinking things through ?

You're missing the point. They are shouting about it (again) to continue to muzzle people's voices. This whole social media thing is scary to those in power as they can't control it. So instead, they go back to doing what they do best, control the people by whatever means are necessary. Bribe them or threaten them. One or the other always works here.

[NongKhaiKid]

Only in Thailand. Officialdom comes up with a successful albeit questionable tactic and instead of keeping it under wraps for re-use they boast about it.

Thinking things through ?

You're missing the point. They are shouting about it (again) to continue to muzzle people's voices. This whole social media thing is scary to those in power as they can't control it. So instead, they go back to doing what they do best, control the people by whatever means are necessary. Bribe them or threaten them. One or the other always works here.

Yes up to a point but the when a tactic works you sit on it and do not expose it for what it is. Certainly the Thai media will not hunt anything down but I suppose here where the masses are apathetic unless paid it doesn't really matter.

I really need to waken up today and remember where I am, it sure ain't Kansas Toto

[Thai at Heart]

Only in Thailand. Officialdom comes up with a successful albeit questionable tactic and instead of keeping it under wraps for re-use they boast about it.

Thinking things through ?

You're missing the point. They are shouting about it (again) to continue to muzzle people's voices. This whole social media thing is scary to those in power as they can't control it. So instead, they go back to doing what they do best, control the people by whatever means are necessary. Bribe them or threaten them. One or the other always works here.

Yes up to a point but the when a tactic works you sit on it and do not expose it for what it is. Certainly the Thai media will not hunt anything down but I suppose here where the masses are apathetic unless paid it doesn't really matter.

I really need to waken up today and remember where I am, it sure ain't Kansas Toto

Well, who knows if it worked?

[OzMick]

Let's be clear here. Is the alleged crime thinking "I like that", which brings in the concept of the Thought Police, or is it expressing publicly that "I like that" which restricts freedom of speech? You're not winning many friends either way.

I have been medically injected with morphine, and quite enjoyed the effect, which leads me to believe I would like heroin (which is 2 morphine molecules fused together). Have I now broken one of Thailand's drug suppression laws?

[Thai at Heart]

Let's be clear here. Is the alleged crime thinking "I like that", which brings in the concept of the Thought Police, or is it expressing publicly that "I like that" which restricts freedom of speech? You're not winning many friends either way.

I have been medically injected with morphine, and quite enjoyed the effect, which leads me to believe I would like heroin (which is 2 morphine molecules fused together). Have I now broken one of Thailand's drug suppression laws?

It's bizarre isn't it. What if you shared it because you were opposed to the statement? Basically, they are saying it's illegal to say anything they don't "like" or possibly "like".

[NongKhaiKid]

Only in Thailand. Officialdom comes up with a successful albeit questionable tactic and instead of keeping it under wraps for re-use they boast about it.

Thinking things through ?

You're missing the point. They are shouting about it (again) to continue to muzzle people's voices. This whole social media thing is scary to those in power as they can't control it. So instead, they go back to doing what they do best, control the people by whatever means are necessary. Bribe them or threaten them. One or the other always works here.

Yes up to a point but the when a tactic works you sit on it and do not expose it for what it is. Certainly the Thai media will not hunt anything down but I suppose here where the masses are apathetic unless paid it doesn't really matter.

I really need to waken up today and remember where I am, it sure ain't Kansas Toto

Well, who knows if it worked?

Yes and repeat after me " if the government says it worked, it worked ".

[manfrommanteo]

"As it had effectively discouraged netizens from spreading online comments on an ongoing political situation"

Shouldn't that read, "As it had effectively discouraged "Freedom of Speech"

CITIZENS PLEASE NOTE. "You opinions are not welcome". Your role is to serve the country and it's Political leaders.

This tactic applies in other countries as well.......even ones with freedom of speech guarenteed!

[chrisinth]

By making a statement such as this, that their scare tactics were successful, even though nobody is doing anything illegal, has just made their tactics unsuccessful.

What goes through these peoples minds when presented with a TV camera and a microphone?? The mind boggles...............

[Thai at Heart]

You would think that the crime suppression bureau has more important things to do.....

[Bluespunk]

"He said the netizens' campaign was not illegal in itself and the four people summoned for posting or distributing statements about a possible coup and calling on people to hoard food and supplies ahead of political rallies against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had not yet been treated as suspects."

If its not a crime then how can they be treated as suspects?

[Bluespunk]

"We are seeking to resort to a psychological impact in terms of crime prevention, and not wanting them to go to jail," he said.

But you said it wasn't a crime in the previous paragraph, so no one can go to gaol.

[Thai at Heart]

"He said the netizens' campaign was not illegal in itself and the four people summoned for posting or distributing statements about a possible coup and calling on people to hoard food and supplies ahead of political rallies against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had not yet been treated as suspects."

If its not a crime then how can they be treated as suspects?

Why do they even have to attend? All very Chinese government style and 1984. What you know is that Thais are not uniform in their fear of government.

They will have this doofus chasing his tail eventually.

[Bluespunk]

"Scare tactic successful, says crime suppression chief"

Campaign to fail to think before speaking equally successful. Attempt to find intelligence, however a failure.

[Bluespunk]

""Being summoned on this occasion will not affect how I post my future comments online," he added."

Not according to a previous statement your boss made.

[Halion]

Announcement from the Government to the Thai people: When we want your opinion we will tell you what to think. Freedom of speech,expression logic and rationale have no place within the PTP mantra.

[Bluespunk]

""His statements tell of a rumour and explain that it is rather untrue, with the purpose of informing the public and to seek verification about it. There are his comments added to the lead statement, that it is difficult for [what is suggested by] this rumour to be true," he added."

Ahh, now I get it. He was asking people to investigate, to think, to find out what was the truth, to not believe any old BS they are fed, well that's different. Can see why PT don't want that.

[Baerboxer]

Let's be clear here. Is the alleged crime thinking "I like that", which brings in the concept of the Thought Police, or is it expressing publicly that "I like that" which restricts freedom of speech? You're not winning many friends either way.

I have been medically injected with morphine, and quite enjoyed the effect, which leads me to believe I would like heroin (which is 2 morphine molecules fused together). Have I now broken one of Thailand's drug suppression laws?

It's bizarre isn't it. What if you shared it because you were opposed to the statement? Basically, they are saying it's illegal to say anything they don't "like" or possibly "like".

You sum it up nicely. If you say anything on social media that the government doesn't like then its illegal. If you like or share what somebody else posts, and the government doesn't like it, then your act is illegal too. However, if you share something the government doesn't like, but share it so you can oppose it, then that is legal.

Basically, do as you're told, say nothing critical and accept whatever we say without question. Or, we'll manipulate the law and prosecute you for something or other.

It is very reminiscent of totalitarian regimes throughout history. Dictators cannot handle the truth, free speech or independent thought. Every one that tries to surpress the people in such a way fails, but only after years of torture and tragedy. Wake up Thailand, before its too late. The precipice is looming very close.

[Thai at Heart]

Let's be clear here. Is the alleged crime thinking "I like that", which brings in the concept of the Thought Police, or is it expressing publicly that "I like that" which restricts freedom of speech? You're not winning many friends either way.

I have been medically injected with morphine, and quite enjoyed the effect, which leads me to believe I would like heroin (which is 2 morphine molecules fused together). Have I now broken one of Thailand's drug suppression laws?

It's bizarre isn't it. What if you shared it because you were opposed to the statement? Basically, they are saying it's illegal to say anything they don't "like" or possibly "like".

You sum it up nicely. If you say anything on social media that the government doesn't like then its illegal. If you like or share what somebody else posts, and the government doesn't like it, then your act is illegal too. However, if you share something the government doesn't like, but share it so you can oppose it, then that is legal.

Basically, do as you're told, say nothing critical and accept whatever we say without question. Or, we'll manipulate the law and prosecute you for something or other.

It is very reminiscent of totalitarian regimes throughout history. Dictators cannot handle the truth, free speech or independent thought. Every one that tries to surpress the people in such a way fails, but only after years of torture and tragedy. Wake up Thailand, before its too late. The precipice is looming very close.

Thailand isn't at all used to having the people discuss anything. Ever seen family members actually sit down and talk about the news?

Times are a changing and ptp isn't unique in being scared of the people discussing things. They are just taking it to new levels.

[unanimosity]

Ah, so it is not illegal to share a link or comment if you are opposed to it.

The authorities must be very proud of what has been achieved here. That is of course until next time the people wish to comment on an issue affecting their lives and THEIR nation - only to discover it was something they weren't allowed to have a thought about.

No worries really, just be sure to have a few pints in public before speaking yer mind lad, cuz being drunk lets ya' off the hook.