Thai army says will block social media over critical content

[webfact]

Thai army says will block social media over critical content

BANGKOK, May 23, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's new ruling junta on Friday warned it would block any social media platforms in the country found to carry content that incites violence or is critical of its military leaders.

In one of a series of bulletins on national television laying out new restrictions after declaring a military coup, the junta urged "cooperation from social media operators and all involved to stop such messages that incite violence, break the law or criticise the coup council."

"If we find any to be in violation, we will suspend the service immediately and will summon those responsible for prosecution," it added.

Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are hugely popular in the country.

Coup leaders had earlier ordered all television and radio stations to suspend their usual programmes and show only the army's broadcasts in the wake of a coup.

The step was taken to ensure the release of "accurate news to the people," an army spokesman said in a televised announcement.

All television channels in the Southeast Asian kingdom including foreign broadcasters such as CNN, BBC, and CNBC ran a constant military feed featuring a succession of brief announcements related to the government takeover.

Between the bulletins, a static screen was shown depicting the emblems of the various branches of Thailand's armed forces, as patriotic Thai songs played.

Army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha made the coup announcement Thursday in a televised address to the nation, saying the powerful armed forces had to act to restore stability after nearly seven months of political turmoil in the capital Bangkok.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-23

[Thailand]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

[bobl]

Cut off the Internet. Because that's been demonstrated to work so well everywhere it's been tried.

[Piichai]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

Anyone inciting violence should be dealt with harshly.

[Delcavom]

How do we know what is breaking the law when the constitution has been suspended? What is the law now?

[Ulysses G.]

Why even bother? There are lots of free proxies that get around Internet censorship.

[realfunster]

Cut off the Internet. Because that's been demonstrated to work so well everywhere it's been tried.

I think mine has been cut overnight. Still got my 3G for now.....

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[slipperylobster]

Nobody is cutting off the internet yet....only saying they will block certain sites if they are used to incite gatherings/violence/or false information.

So lets not get over negative on this forum. I do wish to hear from others in various parts of the country, here on Thai Visa.

Inflammatory remarks and false information will lead to censorship....and possibly make ThaiVisa a target.

It is times like this that this site can be most helpful to us, so don't screw it up !

Edited May 23, 2014 by slipperylobster

[maxme]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

Anyone inciting violence should be dealt with harshly.

What if just to hand out criticism, should that be dealt with the same way?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[FangFerang]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

Anyone inciting violence should be dealt with harshly.

I agree inciting violence is despicable...but "criticizing the military"?

Let's all sing the Rohingya requiem......

[geovalin]

Still BBC at home.

I guess my cable operator is too lazy to shut it up.

[MaxLee]

Anything about twitter or Facebook, LINE ??? Anyone know what will happen next???

If they shut down our most valuable communication system, that would go too far...

Edited May 23, 2014 by MaxLee

[Stradavarius37]

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How do we know what is breaking the law when the constitution has been suspended? What is the law now?

Most laws have nothing to do with the constitution. Criminal and civil laws are under the justice system and the courts, which are still up and running, along with the police.

[somchaismith]

The military don't play about. What would you expect them to do once they've taken over - dress up as ladyboys and post selfies?

[kimamey]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

Anyone inciting violence should be dealt with harshly.

I think inciting violence should be stopped but they might be shooting themselves in the foot by banning criticism.

[Stradavarius37]

Haven't yet, until they do, its just a wind up thread for some.

[kimamey]

Nobody is cutting off the internet yet....only saying they will block certain sites if they are used to incite gatherings/violence/or false information.

So lets not get over negative on this forum. I do wish to hear from others in various parts of the country, here on Thai Visa.

Inflammatory remarks and false information will lead to censorship....and possibly make ThaiVisa a target.

It is times like this that this site can be most helpful to us, so don't screw it up !

It's the bit about criticism that people are complaining about. I think the trouble is the army doesn't really understand the bad PR aspect of this. Banning incitement of violence is fine and is often censored anyway, at least on Thaivisa and I doubt many would disagree with that.

[Piichai]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

Anyone inciting violence should be dealt with harshly.

What if just to hand out criticism, should that be dealt with the same way?

Perhaps the leaders of various groups have just learned that now is a time for working together to end the current situation.

One won't get far negotiating with someone if they criticize them as well.

[Piichai]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

Anyone inciting violence should be dealt with harshly.

I think inciting violence should be stopped but they might be shooting themselves in the foot by banning criticism.

Thus far, Prayuth's (and the military's) actions seem measured. There'll be lots of time for criticizing after the smoke clears.

[Tatsujin]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

As this is my 3rd (4th?) coup, I feel perfectly fine and don't get all wound up about things that haven't happened yet.

If blocking social media for a while saves a few lives in the big scheme of things, then I'm all for it. People have been warned what is acceptable, let's see if they can follow the "rules" for once. I'm guessing they won't . . . it's just not in the nature of (many) Thai's to follow the rules.

[tx22cb]

"stop such messages that incite violence, break the law or criticise the coup council"

The first 2 I agree with, but why are people always afraid of the last one?

Jeez, they've detained Abhisit too - I can't comment on why? He's the least corrupt of anyone in that room.

Abhisit has dual nationality, perhaps HM's ambassador can intervene?

[Paul888]

I have no problem with them blocking facebook and Instagram. The world can survive without seeing what everybody had for breakfast/coffee break/brunch/lunch/dinner/supper etc for a few days and it would free up at least one eye of the drivers and motorbike riders on the road.

[Tokay]

Heaven forbid the military be criticized for anything they do.

Not sure if they are just huge bullies, or incredibly fragile men with big guns and small penises. Either way, criticism is healthy for everyone. HMTK even said that he himself is not above criticism. The military should perhaps follow his lead. It may keep them humble.

[crazykopite]

No constitution means no law , as of now the military will deem what is the law I expect worse is to come what I do not understand is how after two short meetings with the parties the general decides that's it we will have a coup and take control in the meantime all you guys around the table are going to prison ! I hope they do not cut the internet what a terrible thing to happen to the people of Thailand they voted in there masses for a Government only to see the opposition cause civil unrest because they want power and five years down the road it will be the same again.

[Payboy]

Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are hugely popular in the country.

TV is flying under the radar, yes.

[fab4]

The military don't play about. What would you expect them to do once they've taken over - dress up as ladyboys and post selfies?

Ahem, http://www.richardbarrow.com/2014/05/hashtag-for-handsome-soldiers-is-trending-on-twitter-in-thailand/

[keemapoot]

I would guess this is mainly directed at Thai users of LINE and Facebook. Twitter I think would be less of a target except that it is used by international press heavily, so may be targeted too. Forums like this one? No problem. The owner is smart enough to fly under the radar and the Mods must be working overtime now here I imagine.

[gp2002]

At what point will they turn the tv channels back on???

I don't remember them doing this in 2006.

[maxme]

Oh dear. Now what do you feel about the coup?

Anyone inciting violence should be dealt with harshly.

What if just to hand out criticism, should that be dealt with the same way?

Perhaps the leaders of various groups have just learned that now is a time for working together to end the current situation.

One won't get far negotiating with someone if they criticize them as well.

What a sad perspective on democracy. Do you know how many people that have managed to settle their disputes at gun point?

This will not improve things, quite the opposite.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[kinmaew]

my god, teaching in Vietnam now seems a whole lot more attractive. Gorgeous girls there too and great food.