Human Rights chief warns Thai police on 'chat' probes

[webfact]

PEOPLE'S RIGHTS
Rights chief warns police on 'chat' probes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The chair of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned police to be cautious about its reported plan to examine the chat-application conversation histories of some suspects.

The Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) recently suggested that it will be looking into suspects' online-chat history.

NHRC chairwoman Amara Pongsapich yesterday warned that such a move would be very much like tapping a telephone line to listen to a private conversation.

The examination of online-chat histories, she warned, carried risks of violating people's rights.

The plan is reportedly linked to the TCSD's summonses for four persons who posted online political comments deemed by police as a false statement that could have caused public panic and the hoarding of food and water.

Sermsuk Kasitpradit, who now works as Thai PBS's political and security editor, is among the four summoned.


-- The Nation 2013-08-13

[tominbkk]

I'd like to know how they define the word 'suspect'. Somebody who is against the government?

[Zpete]

As if that would worry the Thai Bs I B.
Since when has human right been foremost in Thai police, let alone politics?

[Moruya]

This is fast becoming a police state.

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[NongKhaiKid]

I'd like to know how they define the word 'suspect'. Somebody who is against the government?

It's beginning to look like it isn't it ? YL's recent controversial speech is more and more ridiculous, not that I'm saying she actually knew what she was saying, but the word democracy is becoming redundant.

[OzMick]

I can't see that looking at postings on a public forum is a problem, whereas private communications are a different matter. The question is how is it illegal to express your ideas?

[Thait Spot]

I can only hope that the UN, Kofi and Blair are watching

[klauskunkel]

This is fast becoming a police state.

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A BIB State - the State of BIB...don't know if I should laugh, or cry...

ooops, I farted

[Noistar]

This is fast becoming a police state.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Haven't got anything better to do like stop motorbikes for no crash-helmets and get University girls phone numbers?

[Noistar]

I can only hope that the UN, Kofi and Blair are watching

Watching will probably be the extent of their interest.

[h90]

I can't see that looking at postings on a public forum is a problem, whereas private communications are a different matter. The question is how is it illegal to express your ideas?

How is it illegal...sure there are laws that can be bend enough.....

[Noistar]

A question.

Is the Thai definition of 'the law' like its definition of 'democracy'?

Is there a jury system? Who determines if the charge is valid or not? It seems to hinge on people being found guilty before charges are even brought.