The right to speak out

[Lite Beer]

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
The right to speak out
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Arthit Suriyawongkul, frontman of Internet group, the Thai Netizen Network, is a firm believer in freedom of expression

The recent proposed police surveillance of popular Internet chat application Line and the Yingluck Shinawatra government's warning against clicking Like on Facebook to any postings hinting at rumours of a coup, have met with outraged criticism from Thais, and no more so than on the social media.

Much in demand to explain what's at stake is Arthit Suriyawongkul, the face of Thai Netizen Network, a relatively young group of Internet freedom advocates, who has been interviewed by several media over the past 10 days or so.

Despite his new-found fame, Arthit has fielded the questions calmly and thoughtfully, though he admits he is pleased at the public's reaction, which bodes well for the future of cyber freedom in Thailand.

"I'm rather optimistic. No matter how bad it gets, people on the 'Net are making noise. There isn't the usual indifference," he says, adding that the desire to defend the right to communicate freely on the Internet is a good sign.

"It's a signal that people are paying attention to this issue but whether this will lead to concrete actions or not depends on NGOs and civil society. It does give us something to work with."

Like many other politically aware folk, Arthit has noticed the absence of comments from pro-government netizens who have traditionally spoken out against the lese majeste law and the Computer Crimes Act (CCA) and the fact that many of the expressions of outrage have come from those in favour of the lese majeste law. This would seem to suggest that a good number of people are not fully committed to the principle of freedom of expression for all.

"There's no doubt that a lot of Thais are selective in the fight against censorship," he says.

"I think these people understand freedom of expression but they still have this frame of mind that insists on certain exceptions - just like in families where parents will always apply for bail for their child no matter how wrong he or she may be. There's a point where that principle stops."

He's also aware that Thai Netizen Network's overt stance against lese majeste law, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, may have given the majority of Thais the impression that the group is made up of red shirts and anti-monarchists.

"I suspect that this is an obstacle to the group gaining broader trust and support," he says. "But I do try to emphasise that this is not about the lese majeste law but has everything to do with freedom of expression."

The Thai Netizen Network, with four staff and fewer than 10 active members-cum-activists, do not shy away from criticising the Yingluck administration or defending victims of censorship and government harassment who themselves may support different form of censorship on others.

"There appear to be very few who oppose censorship in all its forms. I don't know why. But we can work with others."

However, the complicated political landscape is not Arthit's only challenge. The Bangkok-born 34 year old, who holds a master degree in social anthropology from Thammasat University, also has to face up to opposition from his parents,

"Since the group was founded in 2008, they've been worried about whether I'll ever be able to make ends meet and attain a level of income security," he says.

His parents run an office furniture supply company and have what he describes as "the typical business mentality.

"They wonder if working for a little-known group of activists dependent on foreign funding from organisations from Germany, the UK and Canada will ever be profitable".

Arthit, who earns between Bt20,000 to Bt40,000 a month depending on the projects on which he is engaged, says he is happily surviving on his income, but admits with a wry grin that much of this is because he lives with his parents near the Golden Mount in old Bangkok and thus doesn't have to fork out for rent or mortgage repayments.

And, with the group gaining wider public recognition, things are looking a little brighter for Arthit. His parents, he says, rooted for their son defending Internet freedom when they accidentally tuned in to a recent debate on Thai PBS, the kingdom's public television station.

"They're okay with it and support what I said on television," he says, sounding pleased.

But it hasn't stopped mum and dad from wondering out loud why Arthit can't work for a more secure and established not-for-profit organisation like the United Nations.

"I told them I had no clue what I could possibly do at the UN," he laughs.

And Arthit also had no clue as to how so many people have gained access to his home telephone number.

"The phone never stops ringing these days," he says.

-- The Nation 2013-08-18

[MaxLee]

Well don't get shot like dog, sonny. Good luck going up against an armada of brainwashed politicians and offspring mentally retarded "their innocent" kids,....

... do the best you can, dude,...

[Thai at Heart]

Do we really need a breakdown of his financial status?

[NongKhaiKid]

There is free speech here as long as it meets with approval from the government and the reds.

[NongKhaiKid]

WE know monitoring goes on everywhere and in Britain it's getting as childish as here.

I had a call from a great pal in Cardiff yesterday and he said there's concern over a situation where a woman sent a message to her friend in which she said if PM David Cameron visited her area she would throw an egg at him.

Two days later she was visited by the police.

[RickBradford]

There is free speech here as long as it meets with approval from the government and the reds.

With fellows like Nattawut Saikaew in place in government ministries, and others like Jatuporn "Burn Bangkok" Prompan wielding considerable influence, it's not much of a stretch to say that the Red Shirts are the government.

[arthurboy]

Do we really need a breakdown of his financial status?

Yes, the article starts of well enough, but then strangely turns into media resume/ cv pitching opportunity.

[winstonc]

good luck to him,but stay safe,you know there child mentality when people have a different opinion......

[MaxLee]

good luck to him,but stay safe,you know there child mentality when people have a different opinion......

Well it's rather the child mentality, when certain people do not GET what they want which will make them lose FACE

[Thai at Heart]

good luck to him,but stay safe,you know there child mentality when people have a different opinion......

Well it's rather the child mentality, when certain people do not GET what they want which will make them lose FACE

The quickest way to win an argument in Thailand is to ask.

Why does it have to be this or that way. Thais are deep down inside just as hacked off with the situation as any other, but they hide it to show some sort of national unity in front of foreigners.

Ask why? And see their brains flick into action to explain the reasoning. It's normally answered with."this is Thailand, you don't understand", which if course begs another "why?", and often descends into finally "if you don't like it, go home".

It is an exercise in justifying the unjustifiable.

[noitom]

Do we really need a breakdown of his financial status?

This is to "place" him in the pecking order. So elite privileged class readers will know who he is and what he is all about and how much clout does he have or how big is his big swinging you know what.

[Thai at Heart]

Do we really need a breakdown of his financial status?

This is to "place" him in the pecking order. So elite privileged class readers will know who he is and what he is all about and how much clout does he have or how big is his big swinging you know what.

I guess so. It's almost as though it shows he is making some sort of massive sacrifice, and has principles by only earning 40k per month and living at home.

A principled thai activist. He should be put in a museum.

[moe666]

Keep speaking out but keep your head down

[Tatsujin]

Well, I for one welcome any Thai that actually uses their brains and is willing to say or do something about what they see as wrong in this country. It makes a refreshing change and long may it continue.

[historyprof]

Has anyone noticed how he is holding the microphone?

[NongKhaiKid]

good luck to him,but stay safe,you know there child mentality when people have a different opinion......

Well it's rather the child mentality, when certain people do not GET what they want which will make them lose FACE

The quickest way to win an argument in Thailand is to ask.

Why does it have to be this or that way. Thais are deep down inside just as hacked off with the situation as any other, but they hide it to show some sort of national unity in front of foreigners.

Ask why? And see their brains flick into action to explain the reasoning. It's normally answered with."this is Thailand, you don't understand", which if course begs another "why?", and often descends into finally "if you don't like it, go home".

It is an exercise in justifying the unjustifiable.

My ex-GF, a uni gradate who was an excellent English speaker had two stock tactics when cornered and losing a discussion, " it's Thai culture " or sudden her language skills failed ans he couldn't understand.

[NongKhaiKid]

Do we really need a breakdown of his financial status?

This is to "place" him in the pecking order. So elite privileged class readers will know who he is and what he is all about and how much clout does he have or how big is his big swinging you know what.

This is a good point as if it was quoted that he had a low salary he's nobody and not worth considering.

[Thai at Heart]

Do we really need a breakdown of his financial status?

This is to "place" him in the pecking order. So elite privileged class readers will know who he is and what he is all about and how much clout does he have or how big is his big swinging you know what.

This is a good point as if it was quoted that he had a low salary he's nobody and not worth considering.

Don't think so. This suggests he's willing to forgo money for principles.

[chainarong]

Be careful my friend , plenty have tried to do this and are now pushing up daisy's, only recently a millionaire, very vocal of the present government , was murdered, you are presenting the true form of democracy ,freedom of speech, much to the dismay of the PTP, who have their own interpretation, you can say what you like as long as it is what we want to hear, most of these spiffs are on another planet, as they can't understand why people dislike them , possibly the best advice, play it cool , as you are more valuable to Thailand alive than dead.

[Sayonarax]

More balls than most of you skirts. You'd rather leave witty comments online than roll down to the governments office and voice it there.

Poor wittle government scared of the internet. Wah wah

[A Member]

Do we really need a breakdown of his financial status?

This is to "place" him in the pecking order. So elite privileged class readers will know who he is and what he is all about and how much clout does he have or how big is his big swinging you know what.

This is a good point as if it was quoted that he had a low salary he's nobody and not worth considering.

Don't think so. This suggests he's willing to forgo money for principles.

Many Thais would happily " survive " on up to B40,000 a month and his family are in business. He may have principles about what's happening but I don't think he has to worry about survival, not on the money front that is.

[lemonjelly]

good luck to him….

Edited August 18, 2013 by lemonjelly

[Thai at Heart]

Be careful my friend , plenty have tried to do this and are now pushing up daisy's, only recently a millionaire, very vocal of the present government , was murdered, you are presenting the true form of democracy ,freedom of speech, much to the dismay of the PTP, who have their own interpretation, you can say what you like as long as it is what we want to hear, most of these spiffs are on another planet, as they can't understand why people dislike them , possibly the best advice, play it cool , as you are more valuable to Thailand alive than dead.

No sides want the Thai population to have genuine free speech. They want to manage and control the message.

[Doc46]

Freedom of Speech,,,,Freedom of Expression,,,,,Where?.here in Thailand what a load of Crap,,,This will never happen,Just look for instance at Thai Visa Forum mote restrictions than a kinder garden But that's the law and You Will obey!

[Felt 35]

Well, I for one welcome any Thai that actually uses their brains and is willing to say or do something about what they see as wrong in this country. It makes a refreshing change and long may it continue.

Absolutely agree and allow me to add that if history are correct and the world continue to evolve, 95% of the Thai population will one day do.

[jpeg]

There is also the Buddhist tenet of 'rightness of speech'. You will often see this if you dare criticize anything at all. This 'poot dee dee no matter what' thing gets up my nose as much as the idiocy that is 'face'. Particularly as I'm English and occasionally enjoy a good moan

[Markaew]

More balls than most of you skirts. You'd rather leave witty comments online than roll down to the governments office and voice it there.

Poor wittle government scared of the internet. Wah wah

I agree they are witty. So far they are quite entertaining.

[Markaew]

Thais having the right to speech is just half the circle. An overhaul of the defamation law is drastically needed. Now defamation applies to nearly everything and Thais stretch the legal definition way beyond even the way Thais have it worded. The BiB are more like Judge Dredd. Judge, jury, and executioner. A Thai can go to a BiB and if that Thai can get another Thai to back up their story of defamation (which is easily done), that policeman can go and empty your wallet and ATM single handedly. Now tell me that doesn't squelch free speech. In my opinion the defamation law keeps Thais and us under control more than the lack of free speech.

[TackyToo]

"But I do try to emphasise that this is not about the lese majeste law but has everything to do with freedom of expression."

Is it fear or inconsequence to separate the two from each other?

"There appear to be very few who oppose censorship in all its forms. I don't know why.

The answer is simple. It’s the same mindset that applies to corruption: as long as I profit from it, it’s OK.

[ramrod711]

"There's no doubt that a lot of Thais are selective in the fight against censorship," he says.

Really only one thing you have to remember, don't critcize the Shiniwatra clan or their red minions, the self appointed judges of what you can say before one of them threatens you. Keep fighting the good fight.