Be careful when you get online: it's like a cyber war now

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Be careful when you get online: it's like a cyber war now
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

Social media continues to be used as a communication tool to battle opponents in the political 'war' currently going on.

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has been using social media a lot to inform, to invite, and to connect with supporters and the public. They are active in posting information, news and updates many times a day. They do this via facebook.com/PDRCThailand and Twitter at @CMDThai.

The PRDC's Facebook page had 27,040 people talking about it and nearly 19,000 "friends" who liked it as of 3pm yesterday.

Meanwhile, the government, after the caretaker Cabinet imposed an emergency decree covering the capital and its outskirts for 60 days, also set up the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), replacing the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, to oversee the state of emergency.

The centre also took action on social media by changing its twitter account from @capopolice to @cmpolive but it kept its Facebook page as CAPOpolice. It also tweeted to invite people to forward demonstration photos to the same Facebook page and new Twitter account (@cmpolive).

Many more than these two key organisations are using social media as the main communication channel to send messages and keep supporters updated. Different groups on both sides are active on social media doing the same things: promoting their position and attacking the rivals. Some messages are true but many are not true, with fake accounts set up on Twitter and fake pages on Facebook.

So it seems there is now a type of cyber war, embracing online political propaganda campaigns to attacks on opponents. Thailand now has over 22 million people on the Net, most of who check social media every day, and some of who monitor news and developments around the clock. They have their own media channels to instantly relay messages they like, love, and believe to many others. Not all of them are ethical about the information that they create and share over social media. Thus, there is the risk of all of us being misinformed or harmed via social media by others who may do this innocently, or with intent.

Lately, the White Shirt group has promoted their campaign to support an election on February 2. They have also urged the PDRC to stop their rally, saying it could cause conditions leading to violence. They have gathered for campaign activities, at which they light candles - and images of this are shown via social media outlets. They also used social media to keep people informed their key points, their requirements, and their desires. They do this in the same way as the PDRC and businessmen do, when the latter invited people to blow whistles in symbolic opposition to the government.

Meanwhile, a group of IT people, scientists, and engineers have also been using social media to invite other IT buffs, scientists, and engineers to get together tomorrow to show their support for reform in Thailand - before an election.

Other people have seen this crisis as an opportunity. For example, Skaer-Tshirt set up a Facebook page recently to sell Bangkok Shutdown T-shirts.

So, it's a chaotic situation on social media in Thailand right now. Remember to be careful when reading and posting on social media. It doesn't hurt to be sceptical.


-- The Nation 2014-01-25

[diceq]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

[notmyself]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

Likes can be manufactured. Had a scam artist setting up FB groups on Samui last year taking money from bars promising to get 1000 likes on the page for 20k Baht. Turned over a friend of mine so I went and found him, he gave her money back. Month or two later he crashed his bike and is now in a wheelchair in the UK. Accident? I doubt it.

Edited January 25, 2014 by notmyself

[Nowhereman60]

I know the anti government computer thugs have been using it here. We all know who there are.

[Crushdepth]

I know the anti government computer thugs have been using it here. We all know who there are.

Names, please

[Fryslan boppe]

"....there is the risk of all of us being misinformed or harmed via social media.... Remember to be careful when reading and posting on social media. It doesn't hurt to be sceptical...."

So how is this different from the mainstream media?..........To answer my own question.... ".It is not"...What supports this point-of-view?...let me count the ways...

1. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are anti-UDD/RS/PTP. The English Language mainstream media is the only source for Farangs over their coffee at Starbucks or elsewhere...Most times their views mirror that source word-for-word.
2. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are an extension of the demonization campaign of the 2006 coupists. Demonizing those they coup'ed, in order to justify themselves.
3. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are Thaksin-haters as a result of this coup-justification denigration campaign waged through the Elitist sourced mainstream media.
4. It is not by accident that the audience of the mainstream media, especially TV stations, are by-and-large the Elitists and their side of the political divide. In most UDD/RS/PTP leaning households, the mainstream TV channels are scorned, because their agenda's are so pervasive.

This article is absolutely correct though, when referencing this 'cyber war' via social media......it is not only via its' primary outlet via Facebook, but also Wikipedia...Just reference any politically oriented aricle in this online encyclopedia, and see the one-sidedness.

[WhizBang]

I know the anti government computer thugs have been using it here. We all know who there are.

Good one. No pro government computer thugs like you then?

To me it looks like droves of pro government lackies have shown up in recent weeks. Thaksin must be spending a fortune trying to counter Suthep.

Tell me, why doesn't Thaksin reach into his own pockets to pay the farmers their overdue money? The rice scam is, after all, his brain child.

[Tatsujin]

I know the anti government computer thugs have been using it here. We all know who there are.

What are you talking about?

[Tatsujin]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

"Likes" can be bought, and you are not taking into account the age of an account.

If you paid me, I could add 1,000,000+ likes in 48 hours to any account, it's not difficult.

[Thait Spot]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

Just 1.7m?

Very poor show.

Suthep can count more people on the street than that over the past few months and nobody really likes him.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Prbkk]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

"Likes" can be bought, and you are not taking into account the age of an account.

If you paid me, I could add 1,000,000+ likes in 48 hours to any account, it's not difficult.

Cash for comment is a well-known issue in the west. 'Advertorial' in newspapers, tv, radio, web...all known and documented in every country . Common in Thailand? Absolutely, taken to a whole new level (just look at some of the "reviews" given to establishments owned by some close to anti-govt movement. Would they bear scrutiny? ...everyone knows the answer. Those not familiar with this kind of corruption might choose to eat, drink, stay in establishments recommended in rave reviews by those PAID for the positive comments. ) That irony seems lost on many of the anti people posting here

[Tatsujin]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

"Likes" can be bought, and you are not taking into account the age of an account.

If you paid me, I could add 1,000,000+ likes in 48 hours to any account, it's not difficult.

Cash for comment is a well-known issue in the west. 'Advertorial' in newspapers, tv, radio, web...all known and documented in every country . Common in Thailand? Absolutely, taken to a whole new level (just look at some of the "reviews" given to establishments owned by some close to anti-govt movement. Would they bear scrutiny? ...everyone knows the answer. Those not familiar with this kind of corruption might choose to eat, drink, stay in establishments recommended in rave reviews by those PAID for the positive comments. ) That irony seems lost on many of the anti people posting here

I think it's ironic that you believe it's only the anti side doing the "positive" review angle lol

[worgeordie]

Its like a cyber war ,sometimes, up here on the

Chiang Mai forum.

regards Worgeordie

[Ricardo]

Its like a cyber war ,sometimes, up here on the Chiang Mai forum. regards Worgeordie

And rightly so ... what could be more crucial to living the 'Good Life', than knowing where to find the best Pizza or Burgers in town ?

[noitom]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

Likes can be manufactured. Had a scam artist setting up FB groups on Samui last year taking money from bars promising to get 1000 likes on the page for 20k Baht. Turned over a friend of mine so I went and found him, he gave her money back. Month or two later he crashed his bike and is now in a wheelchair in the UK. Accident? I doubt it.

Social media is great for starting rumor, but not for substance. The attention span is far too limited. But it did work in the case of Barrack Obama.

[Prbkk]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

"Likes" can be bought, and you are not taking into account the age of an account.

If you paid me, I could add 1,000,000+ likes in 48 hours to any account, it's not difficult.

Cash for comment is a well-known issue in the west. 'Advertorial' in newspapers, tv, radio, web...all known and documented in every country . Common in Thailand? Absolutely, taken to a whole new level (just look at some of the "reviews" given to establishments owned by some close to anti-govt movement. Would they bear scrutiny? ...everyone knows the answer. Those not familiar with this kind of corruption might choose to eat, drink, stay in establishments recommended in rave reviews by those PAID for the positive comments. ) That irony seems lost on many of the anti people posting here

I think it's ironic that you believe it's only the anti side doing the "positive" review angle lol

Well, have a look at today's print version of The Nation. 4 letters to the editor, all wailing about Thaksin, emergency decree....nothing from the other side. It has been that way....seems like forever. So does that reflect the views of readers of the paper? Maybe it does. To me it has something of a ring of "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells" about it.

[ramrod711]

"....there is the risk of all of us being misinformed or harmed via social media.... Remember to be careful when reading and posting on social media. It doesn't hurt to be sceptical...."

So how is this different from the mainstream media?..........To answer my own question.... ".It is not"...What supports this point-of-view?...let me count the ways...

1. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are anti-UDD/RS/PTP. The English Language mainstream media is the only source for Farangs over their coffee at Starbucks or elsewhere...Most times their views mirror that source word-for-word.
2. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are an extension of the demonization campaign of the 2006 coupists. Demonizing those they coup'ed, in order to justify themselves.
3. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are Thaksin-haters as a result of this coup-justification denigration campaign waged through the Elitist sourced mainstream media.
4. It is not by accident that the audience of the mainstream media, especially TV stations, are by-and-large the Elitists and their side of the political divide. In most UDD/RS/PTP leaning households, the mainstream TV channels are scorned, because their agenda's are so pervasive.

This article is absolutely correct though, when referencing this 'cyber war' via social media......it is not only via its' primary outlet via Facebook, but also Wikipedia...Just reference any politically oriented aricle in this online encyclopedia, and see the one-sidedness.

It probably isn't an accident that you decided, a very short time ago, to point out how much smarter, and not as easily led, you are than the rest of us. Thanks for enlightening me.

[love1012]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

.....................but the 12 million dislikes are a problem for him..... and theyre growing!!

[Tatsujin]

Cash for comment is a well-known issue in the west. 'Advertorial' in newspapers, tv, radio, web...all known and documented in every country . Common in Thailand? Absolutely, taken to a whole new level (just look at some of the "reviews" given to establishments owned by some close to anti-govt movement. Would they bear scrutiny? ...everyone knows the answer. Those not familiar with this kind of corruption might choose to eat, drink, stay in establishments recommended in rave reviews by those PAID for the positive comments. ) That irony seems lost on many of the anti people posting here

I think it's ironic that you believe it's only the anti side doing the "positive" review angle lol

Well, have a look at today's print version of The Nation. 4 letters to the editor, all wailing about Thaksin, emergency decree....nothing from the other side. It has been that way....seems like forever. So does that reflect the views of readers of the paper? Maybe it does. To me it has something of a ring of "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells" about it.

Great, but that's not any different in ANY country in the world, one paper "supports" one side, another "supports" the other side, so what? The Nation might be anti-Govt, whilst other newspapers are pro-Govt. Take your choice.

If people get information from more than one source (which to me is the only sane sensible thing to do) then they'll get a more rounded view of the world, not just a biased view from a source that "supports" what they think anyway.

[love1012]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

"Likes" can be bought, and you are not taking into account the age of an account.

If you paid me, I could add 1,000,000+ likes in 48 hours to any account, it's not difficult.

Cash for comment is a well-known issue in the west. 'Advertorial' in newspapers, tv, radio, web...all known and documented in every country . Common in Thailand? Absolutely, taken to a whole new level (just look at some of the "reviews" given to establishments owned by some close to anti-govt movement. Would they bear scrutiny? ...everyone knows the answer. Those not familiar with this kind of corruption might choose to eat, drink, stay in establishments recommended in rave reviews by those PAID for the positive comments. ) That irony seems lost on many of the anti people posting here

I think it's ironic that you believe it's only the anti side doing the "positive" review angle lol

I think its ironic that he yet again makes another incorrect post which shows twisted facts and suggestions which are totally irrelevant!! Do you think the red excuses for their wanting to bring back a criminal dictator would bear scrutiny? Do you think promising to pay farmers then reneging woul d bear scrutiny. How about claiming that the anti Government protestors want to blow themselves up with grenades for publicity - would that bear scrutiny? You seem to be one of the greatest perpetrators of ironic rave reviews!!! yet provide very little of "the truth today"!

Edited January 25, 2014 by love1012

[boomerangutang]

A bit off topic, but computer data companies use 1.5% of the world's electricity - nearly all of that for cooling.

[h90]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

Likes can be manufactured. Had a scam artist setting up FB groups on Samui last year taking money from bars promising to get 1000 likes on the page for 20k Baht. Turned over a friend of mine so I went and found him, he gave her money back. Month or two later he crashed his bike and is now in a wheelchair in the UK. Accident? I doubt it.

Yes you can buy likes and friends.....The Austrian premier did it, and the opposition had a good laugh.

[love1012]

"....there is the risk of all of us being misinformed or harmed via social media.... Remember to be careful when reading and posting on social media. It doesn't hurt to be sceptical...."

So how is this different from the mainstream media?..........To answer my own question.... ".It is not"...What supports this point-of-view?...let me count the ways...

1. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are anti-UDD/RS/PTP. The English Language mainstream media is the only source for Farangs over their coffee at Starbucks or elsewhere...Most times their views mirror that source word-for-word.
2. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are an extension of the demonization campaign of the 2006 coupists. Demonizing those they coup'ed, in order to justify themselves.
3. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are Thaksin-haters as a result of this coup-justification denigration campaign waged through the Elitist sourced mainstream media.
4. It is not by accident that the audience of the mainstream media, especially TV stations, are by-and-large the Elitists and their side of the political divide. In most UDD/RS/PTP leaning households, the mainstream TV channels are scorned, because their agenda's are so pervasive.

This article is absolutely correct though, when referencing this 'cyber war' via social media......it is not only via its' primary outlet via Facebook, but also Wikipedia...Just reference any politically oriented aricle in this online encyclopedia, and see the one-sidedness.

It probably isn't an accident that you decided, a very short time ago, to point out how much smarter, and not as easily led, you are than the rest of us. Thanks for enlightening me.

quote your sources for points 1.2.3.4?? .....................No thought not!!

[Tatsujin]

"....there is the risk of all of us being misinformed or harmed via social media.... Remember to be careful when reading and posting on social media. It doesn't hurt to be sceptical...."

So how is this different from the mainstream media?..........To answer my own question.... ".It is not"...What supports this point-of-view?...let me count the ways...

1. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are anti-UDD/RS/PTP. The English Language mainstream media is the only source for Farangs over their coffee at Starbucks or elsewhere...Most times their views mirror that source word-for-word.
2. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are an extension of the demonization campaign of the 2006 coupists. Demonizing those they coup'ed, in order to justify themselves.
3. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are Thaksin-haters as a result of this coup-justification denigration campaign waged through the Elitist sourced mainstream media.
4. It is not by accident that the audience of the mainstream media, especially TV stations, are by-and-large the Elitists and their side of the political divide. In most UDD/RS/PTP leaning households, the mainstream TV channels are scorned, because their agenda's are so pervasive.

This article is absolutely correct though, when referencing this 'cyber war' via social media......it is not only via its' primary outlet via Facebook, but also Wikipedia...Just reference any politically oriented aricle in this online encyclopedia, and see the one-sidedness.

1. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are anti-UDD/RS/PTP. The English Language mainstream media is the only source for Farangs over their coffee at Starbucks or elsewhere...Most times their views mirror that source word-for-word.

   In your world it might be, in mine I get information/opinions from many sources including media, friends, family, business associates etc, all from varying social backgrounds including pro and anti Govt supporters.

2. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are an extension of the demonization campaign of the 2006 coupists. Demonizing those they coup'ed, in order to justify themselves.

   What? Are you saying that Thaksin has been demonized? I would say that (some) people are waking up to the reality of what Thaksin has done/does and the effect it has on this country.

3. It is not by accident that a huge number of Farangs are Thaksin-haters as a result of this coup-justification denigration campaign waged through the Elitist sourced mainstream media.

   As opposed to the campaigns waged by pro-Thaksin supporters? Give me a break.

4. It is not by accident that the audience of the mainstream media, especially TV stations, are by-and-large the Elitists and their side of the political divide. In most UDD/RS/PTP leaning households, the mainstream TV channels are scorned, because their agenda's are so pervasive.

   Ah, so the pro-Govt side doesn't have any media outlets or TV stations at all to promote their pervasive agendas? Come on. People watch/read what they choose to, they aren't forced to get their information from any one source.

5. This article is absolutely correct though, when referencing this 'cyber war' via social media......it is not only via its' primary outlet via Facebook, but also Wikipedia...Just reference any politically oriented aricle in this online encyclopedia, and see the one-sidedness.

   Ah, so Wikipedia which is crowd-sourced information doesn't allow the pro-Govt side to make alterations to its content? Again, give me a break. Anyone can change anything on the site. According to the site, "anyone with Internet access can write and make changes to Wikipedia articles (except in certain cases where editing is restricted to prevent disruption or vandalism)". Contributors can provide their names or add content anonymously.

[dave1212]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

Must have cost him a fortune.........

[LarryBird]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

"Likes" can be bought, and you are not taking into account the age of an account.

If you paid me, I could add 1,000,000+ likes in 48 hours to any account, it's not difficult.

that doesn't mean the 1.7 million were bought, though, and in fact I would bet against it. We do know it means the 19,000 weren't bought.

[Tatsujin]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

"Likes" can be bought, and you are not taking into account the age of an account.

If you paid me, I could add 1,000,000+ likes in 48 hours to any account, it's not difficult.

that doesn't mean the 1.7 million were bought, though, and in fact I would bet against it. We do know it means the 19,000 weren't bought.

As I mentioned, the "age" of the page and the amount of "like me" advertising have a large impact on the number of likes. Buying likes by advertising within Facebook (which the page still does) is allowed on Facebook, but it's still buying likes.

[robblok]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

Likes can be manufactured. Had a scam artist setting up FB groups on Samui last year taking money from bars promising to get 1000 likes on the page for 20k Baht. Turned over a friend of mine so I went and found him, he gave her money back. Month or two later he crashed his bike and is now in a wheelchair in the UK. Accident? I doubt it.

I see my clients buying likes all the time.. its a big scam. Duh anyone who did not know this (like Taksin supporters) don't have a brain.

[icommunity]

19 000 likes. What a popular movement. Meanwhile Thaksin has 1.7 million likes.

Just 1.7m?

Very poor show.

Suthep can count more people on the street than that over the past few months and nobody really likes him.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

LOL, "Suthep can count more people on the street than that over the past few months..." Yesterday? Add the number of each day for the last two months?

[boomerangutang]

oooo - a war of people sitting in chairs, staring at little lit screens, moving their right index finger down 5 mm.

Meanwhile, I'll be out by a large limestone hill, slashing away at vines - endeavoring to cut a trail for a free park. Anyone want to join me? Didn't think so, it's too hard to break away from the computer screen - unless it's off to drink fermented sugars.

Bangkok and the Shinawatres, ....they want to soak all the attention and money - as much as possible. AND IT WORKS! ha ha ha.