Cautious reliance on social media needed while Bangkok paralysed

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BANGKOK SHUTDOWN
Cautious reliance on social media needed while Bangkok paralysed
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Social media are destined to become the mainstay channel of communication during the "Bangkok shutdown", according to Frost & Sullivan.

"This year social-media websites and applications such as Facebook and Line have evolved from being either just a chat app or sharing tool to become major communication mega-platforms," Teera Kanokkanjanarat, senior analyst at the research firm, said yesterday.

People are ever more relying on these platforms to communicate and get updated on the latest news.

People should be aware of the power of social media. Relying on them does require caution, mainly the concerns of validity and authenticity of messages conveyed. "Social media are a powerful tool, not only as communication platform but also as a political tool. A news story shared by a trusted friend on a social network can have the level of intimacy that no other digital channel can achieve.

"Before buying in on the message, people must consider the validity of content, if it comes from legitimate original sources, and its implications. Regardless of the content, once people share a story on a social network, they also share a part of the responsibility for its consequences," he said.

However, Koh Eng Lok, country head, said the Bangkok shutdown would likely hurt Thailand's international reputation and standing. Tourism businesses will be badly hit, particularly during the "golden week" of the Chinese New Year at the end of January and early next month.

"Tourists from [places] celebrating the Lunar New Year like [mainland] China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia like to travel to various destinations in Thailand like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin.

"However, due to the unstable political situation this year, many of them may choose other destinations in Southeast Asia to usher in the Year of the Horse," he said.

If the political stalemate persists, inbound foreign direct investment may turn into a trickle. Overseas investors and local businesses are adopting a wait-and-see approach before making any significant moves.

"Generally, businesses have been in a business-continuity-planning mode for a few weeks to finalise their contingency plans in case the political situation spirals out of control," Koh said.

-- The Nation 2014-01-14

[givenall]

What media. I checked all the channels that had news all day yesterday and no mention of the protest, not even here in Thaivisa. I Even waked in the Ratchaprsong area and n sign of any news wan or camera or anything from the news people

I heard more about USA and Europe and other places than Thailand. it is a shameful act that people ae not informed of the situations

Edited January 14, 2014 by givenall

[newcomer71]

What media. I checked all the channels that had news all day yesterday and no mention of the protest, not even here in Thaivisa. I Even waked in the Ratchaprsong area and n sign of any news wan or camera or anything from the news people

I heard more about USA and Europe and other places than Thailand. it is a shameful act that people ae not informed of the situations

The article is talking about SOCIAL media...

And anyway Thaivisa was plenty of news yesterday, and I can see news on every main channel about protest.

Or you was being ironic, and I did not catch your fine irony, or we live in different countries

[ToddWeston]

What media. I checked all the channels that had news all day yesterday and no mention of the protest, not even here in Thaivisa. I Even waked in the Ratchaprsong area and n sign of any news wan or camera or anything from the news people

I heard more about USA and Europe and other places than Thailand. it is a shameful act that people ae not informed of the situations

What media. I checked all the channels that had news all day yesterday and no mention of the protest, not even here in Thaivisa. I Even waked in the Ratchaprsong area and n sign of any news wan or camera or anything from the news people

I heard more about USA and Europe and other places than Thailand. it is a shameful act that people ae not informed of the situations

I'm assuming you're speaking of English only news outlets as the Thai stations all covered the news in depth.

As for English stations Al Jazeera had updates frequently, Australia Network did a really good 15 minute background fact checker with updates, CCTV News (English) was okay, the best was A Channel NewsAsia IMO updates and reporters live at Asok & Victory Monument.

Online I follow Richard Barrows twitter.

It's still the top news item on A Channel NewsAsia watching it now.

[diehard60]

It looks like the year of the horse just took a dump on the stage - oh sorry that was _____________. not saying. have fun guessing.

[Scamper]

Indeed, in this day and age - even in places where the media is restrained - much of the change right now has been because of social media. Information drives everything. It's a healthy thing, and far outweighs the risks. Access to a free media is the cornerstone of any free society. And because media is now much more than television and radio, it is even more powerful.

[MaxLee]

Cautious reliance on social media needed while Bangkok paralysed

"If you make us lose face around the world, we throw you to jail and charge you with (******whatever *******censored)

[khrab]

It looks like the year of the horse just took a dump on the stage - oh sorry that was _____________. not saying. have fun guessing.

Chinese New Year is on the 31/1 this time. So the horse year hasn't started yet.

[JoeThePoster]

"However, due to the unstable political situation this year, many of them may choose other destinations in Southeast Asia to usher in the Year of the Horse," he said.

In Thailand, every year seems like it is the Year of the Horse.

Edited January 14, 2014 by JoeThePoster

[mumjokmok]

Is it a fire horse year?

The Thai's have it covered, they have two sides worth of media and no real middle-ground trusted neutral sources. They fuel themselves up with the partisan stuff very very well.

Cautious reliance on that communication mega-platform is a nice ideal, given it's ability for change and real-time delivery of info directly into a big pack of human bodies on the streets, some reports can come very easily and frivolously in the modern age and then be recalled like a bad batch of hamburger meat.

I wish the screen-loving, cellphone-toting, 'beep'beep' attentive Thai's all the best of luck in the coming weeks, you surely will need it. Just like a fake phone, the fake news looks, feels and works just like the real deal, but has no warranty when the battery catches fire and burns your earhole.

Edited January 14, 2014 by mumjokmok