Google Maps car stopped in Phrae, Thailand; driver accused of being govt spy

[webfact]

Google Maps car stopped in Phrae; driver accused of being govt spy
By Coconuts Bangkok

Photo: MThai

PRAE: -- A Google Maps camera car was prevented from passing through a village in northern Thailand yesterday because the residents suspected the vehicle's driver of being a spy.

Dephrom Fufong, a 27-year-old Chiang Mai man, was briefly detained for interrogation when he drove his camera-mounted Google car into Phrae’s Song district.

The villagers thought that the government had sent the car to survey the neighborhood for a controversial dam project, which has reached a stalemate as local residents strongly oppose its construction. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/08/14/google-maps-car-stopped-phrae-driver-accused-being-govt-spy


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-08-14

[JoePai]

Yahoo strikes back

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

In other news majority of Thai population has been declared Cargo Cult

[tonneke breda]

NSA on the go, Watch out Snowden is still alive

[ricku]

So they thought the government would send a spy in a Google-car, with a big ass "spy camera" mounted on the roof?

Theres even a sign on the side of it saying Google Maps Street View. Come on..

The Coconuts-logo under the article is well placed.

Edited August 14, 2013 by ricku

[NCC1701A]

i think that car is haunted.

[harrry]

Next time they will have to send a driver from Patani.

[MaxLee]

A knee jerk reaction, courtesy of Police General Pisit's frustrated effort in arresting an entire bunch of teenagers and young and naughty naughty rebels in Thailand....

[lee b]

Yeah right a govt spy driving around in a marked google maps car..

[Thormaturge]

Oh come on, there's NO WAY any self respecting spy would be seen dead in that car.

[ThaiRich]

This is a clear testament to the level of education. A car with a big camera and the words "google" on the side and they think it's the Thai government surveying for a dam.

[Nickymaster]

Maybe they were waiting for their Red leaders to give approval.

[Jingthing]

I think it's kind of charming. Google isn't always your friend. They aimed to do no evil, but their execution of that ideal has been questionable.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Jingthing

[Khun Jean]

It is a clear statement of being totally brainwashed when you believe that some words on a car will always be the truth.

Do you also let anyone in your house when they have a piece of paper that says 'Electric Company'.

A 'spy' would probably just drive around on a motorcy, but i bet the spy thinks 'that is a good idea'.

[ricku]

It is a clear statement of being totally brainwashed when you believe that some words on a car will always be the truth.

Do you also let anyone in your house when they have a piece of paper that says 'Electric Company'.

A 'spy' would probably just drive around on a motorcy, but i bet the spy thinks 'that is a good idea'.

You must be the guy in green t-shirt on that photo.

You do make a valid point. But in this situation, not so much.

Edited August 14, 2013 by ricku

[anon467367354]

Does Google have the people's permission to use their images on their sites? I think not.

[ricku]

Does Google have the people's permission to use their images on their sites? I think not.

Hence why all faces are automatically censored.

[retell]

This is a clear testament to the level of education. A car with a big camera and the words "google" on the side and they think it's the Thai government surveying for a dam.

does the thai gov. have drones in the air ?

[AyG]

This is a clear testament to the level of education. A car with a big camera and the words "google" on the side and they think it's the Thai government surveying for a dam.

If I were the Thai government and wanted covertly to survey for a dam I'd use a car with a big camera and the word "Google" on the side. Perfect cover. (Except it didn't work out quite as planned.)

[waza]

Cant wait to see those street view pictures on google maps

[lomatopo]

Japanese police pull over Google Street View car

posted on JUNE 13, 2013 by IDA TORRES

While people are not surprised by Google Street View cars anymore, an undisclosed location in Japan showed what might have been one of the few times that a car like that has had a run-in with the law. A Twitter user posted pics of the car being pulled over for an unknown reason.

Speculation over the reason for authorities stopping the car has been rampant. One is that the police have been living under a rock for the past few years and know nothing about the cars from Google that go around taking pics of a town for Google Street View. Hence, the idea of a weird looking car going around town while taking pictures of everything and everyone will seem mighty suspicious after all. Another Twitter user suggested that the police might have been just checking if the camera equipment was working properly and safely attached.

http://japandailypress.com/japanese-police-pull-over-google-street-view-car-1330484/

Personally I like the people who dress up in weird attire for the Google Streetview car:

http://www.switched.com/2010/02/10/norwegian-men-in-scuba-gear-chase-google-street-view-car/

[ben2203]

Most of the villagers probably haven't used a computer before in their lives

[alanferdi]

i think that car is haunted.

yeah that should disperse the crowds or have them putting joysticks on it.....

Edited August 14, 2013 by webfact
quote fixed /Admin

[RogueLeader]

They might not be far wrong

http://venturebeat.com/2013/06/19/prism-google-nightmare/

[Estrada]

No need for a street view when the village and its headman will soon be submerged under the new reservoir.

[Tiffer]

Most of the villagers probably haven't used a computer before in their lives

Haven't used a what?

[Suffinator]

Element of truth at least

Germany Hits Back On Spying by Telling People to STOP Using Google and Facebook

[lemoncake]

So they thought the government would send a spy in a Google-car, with a big ass "spy camera" mounted on the roof?

Theres even a sign on the side of it saying Google Maps Street View. Come on..

The Coconuts-logo under the article is well placed.

Considering some bull this government feeds to people and expects them to accept it , I would not be surprised if they did send a car with a huge camera

The sign is in English , so no use for villagers.

However rather strange that police took no action after a man was "kidnapped"

[NovaBlue05]

I'm surprised they didn't think he was an alien from another planet.

[julemanden]

Is not April 1st today is it???