Thai army says will block social media over critical content

[Lupatria]

The step was taken to ensure the release of "accurate news to the people,"

In war, truth is the first casualty. Aeschylus Greek tragic dramatist (525 BC - 456 BC).

[soalbundy]

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.

A good start would be to permanently ban Facebook, CIA wouldn't like it though.

[trainman34014]

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.

A good start would be to permanently ban Facebook, CIA wouldn't like it though.

Just my own personal opinion but i think the 'loss' of Facebook would be the most welcome loss of all time to most sensible people !

[gk10002000]

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

Constitution has been tossed out several times since I first visited the country in 2004. Now the coup arresting leaders, critics, banning comments, discussions etc. Forced elections, overturned elections, constitution votes but of incomplete constitutions. It is hard to imagine a somewhat modern country going through all this. If you keep tossing out the constitution then the document or concept is meaningless. How can any foreign business deal with this? Tourism? Obviously many won't go and that can't be good for business. Mom and Pop businesses may be hurt greatly.

[Local Drunk]

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

Constitution has been tossed out several times since I first visited the country in 2004. Now the coup arresting leaders, critics, banning comments, discussions etc. Forced elections, overturned elections, constitution votes but of incomplete constitutions. It is hard to imagine a somewhat modern country going through all this. If you keep tossing out the constitution then the document or concept is meaningless. How can any foreign business deal with this? Tourism? Obviously many won't go and that can't be good for business. Mom and Pop businesses may be hurt greatly.

Nope... the mom and pop shops will survive... They live and work in their own little world.

[trainman34014]

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

Constitution has been tossed out several times since I first visited the country in 2004. Now the coup arresting leaders, critics, banning comments, discussions etc. Forced elections, overturned elections, constitution votes but of incomplete constitutions. It is hard to imagine a somewhat modern country going through all this. If you keep tossing out the constitution then the document or concept is meaningless. How can any foreign business deal with this? Tourism? Obviously many won't go and that can't be good for business. Mom and Pop businesses may be hurt greatly.

Nope... the mom and pop shops will survive... They live and work in their own little world.

So true; my Sister-in-Laws place was busier than normal this morning as with no TV or Radio people want someone to chat with while they are buying something.

[belg]

and that is why in america, you have to right to bear arms and a lot have plenty of those, so some crazy coup leaders can eventually be overthrown with equal arms (minus the tanks, helicopters, jets, artillery)

[chotthee]

ThaiVisa next?

Quite possible.

Just anticipating.

Big Brother is watching. All your IP is logged.

[Imunatee Watchalotaporn]

To understand discussing recent events with Thais our foreign friends need to know the structure of Thai society, with every relationship clearly delineated between superior and inferior positions. Along with predictable relationships such as teacher-student, master-servant, and novice-monk, which determine who has the superior rank. In more subtle cases, such as between friends the older friend should talk, the younger should listen. Unless the younger friend has expertise on the subject, or is a member of a wealthier family.

[bobl]

Just my own personal opinion but i think the 'loss' of Facebook would be the most welcome loss of all time to most sensible people !

Do please tell us more about how billions of people are less sensible than you

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ferguston]

Let's have the sports channels back on.

How can watching the Champions League final, English Championship playoff final, English League 1 playoff final, the Monaco GP, and the French Open tennis, all due to be shown this weekend, be critical of the new Military government ?

[Thakkar]

Block Facebook?? Oh, no! Now how will I know what my friend of a friend of a friend had for lunch?! They might as well lock me up at Guantanamo Bay.

T

[fakename]

just keep the soap-opera's off the air, then this coup is wort it. Oh yeah, and the whiting cream adds!

[uptheos]

and that is why in america, you have to right to bear arms and a lot have plenty of those, so some crazy coup leaders can eventually be overthrown with equal arms (minus the tanks, helicopters, jets, artillery)

Yes but America is a democracy where the military is answerable to the people (government). So any attempt at a coup would be a war against the people and they would therefore have the right to fight them

Thailand is not a democracy, the government will always be answerable to the military in the end. You have no right to fight the legitimate rulers of the country.

[Scamper]

To clamp down on those who incite violence is the most reasonable restriction imposed. In fact, that should always be in force. Part of the problem over the years is that some openly advocated violence. It had to stop, as it would have had to stop in any civil society. Doubtless this new state of affairs feels strange. But the positive results of it are this - the violence has stopped. The rallies have been peacefully dispersed. There are no more fiery speeches. Legislatively, the most positive development is that the Senate will indeed be functioning. As well as the courts. That was made clear in a recent army communique. The first stage of the coup enactment is clearly to secure control. Once that has been established a clearer picture will emerge. For the Senate to be functioning therefore is highly encouraging, and may provide clues as to a future path. Before this coup was called, Prayuth suggested a three-point path : 1) the caretaker cabinet would resign, 2) an interim government would be formed, and 3) both the UDD and PDRC would end their rallies. Two of these have already occurred. Therefore, a path towards an interim government remains. The PDRC is jubilant, because they are confident that an interim government will endeavour to conduct reform. Other parties are cautiously optimistic that an effort to reach a true consensus among the parties will take place. The Senate in recent days already confirmed that commitment to find a consensus that would be acceptable to all. If that happens, it will truly be an exciting beginning. As of yesterday, the Thaksin strings were severed. What remains is the healing process, consensus building, and bringing the Thai people - from all parts of the country - together. A recent poll indicated that 75.9 % of Thai people supported martial law. Whether or not that was an accurate reflection of public sentiment, that figure is not easily achieved even in the history of Thai poll taking. The public has had enough of the bickering. They want it to settle down. With a coup now imposed, the Thai people if anything will want even more the bickering to stop and things to settle down. These polls over recent months have shown a marked decrease in partisan affiliation - to a rather astonishing degree - and reflect more of a uniformity that things simply had to cool. And they have. The climate is now set for sober discussion, and there is room for a new hope.

[larsjohnsson]

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.

Then it's too late

[larsjohnsson]

To clamp down on those who incite violence is the most reasonable restriction imposed. In fact, that should always be in force. Part of the problem over the years is that some openly advocated violence. It had to stop, as it would have had to stop in any civil society. Doubtless this new state of affairs feels strange. But the positive results of it are this - the violence has stopped. The rallies have been peacefully dispersed. There are no more fiery speeches. Legislatively, the most positive development is that the Senate will indeed be functioning. As well as the courts. That was made clear in a recent army communique. The first stage of the coup enactment is clearly to secure control. Once that has been established a clearer picture will emerge. For the Senate to be functioning therefore is highly encouraging, and may provide clues as to a future path. Before this coup was called, Prayuth suggested a three-point path : 1) the caretaker cabinet would resign, 2) an interim government would be formed, and 3) both the UDD and PDRC would end their rallies. Two of these have already occurred. Therefore, a path towards an interim government remains. The PDRC is jubilant, because they are confident that an interim government will endeavour to conduct reform. Other parties are cautiously optimistic that an effort to reach a true consensus among the parties will take place. The Senate in recent days already confirmed that commitment to find a consensus that would be acceptable to all. If that happens, it will truly be an exciting beginning. As of yesterday, the Thaksin strings were severed. What remains is the healing process, consensus building, and bringing the Thai people - from all parts of the country - together. A recent poll indicated that 75.9 % of Thai people supported martial law. Whether or not that was an accurate reflection of public sentiment, that figure is not easily achieved even in the history of Thai poll taking. The public has had enough of the bickering. They want it to settle down. With a coup now imposed, the Thai people if anything will want even more the bickering to stop and things to settle down. These polls over recent months have shown a marked decrease in partisan affiliation - to a rather astonishing degree - and reflect more of a uniformity that things simply had to cool. And they have. The climate is now set for sober discussion, and there is room for a new hope.

Of course 75% support it. You are not allowed to criticize it. Everyone support the leader in N.Korea Edited May 23, 2014 by larsjohnsson

[Piichai]

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.

Thailand didn't have a democracy before the coup. And there's no hope of having a democracy unless Thailand establishes a democratic landscape.

Hopefully they can accomplish that with reforms.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Piichai

[gp2002]

So this is what living in North Korea feels like.

[Piichai]

So this is what living in North Korea feels like.

North Korean go-gos are considerably less fun.

[bangkoklasse]

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.

Thailand didn't have a democracy before the coup. And there's no hope of having a democracy unless Thailand establishes a democratic landscape.

Hopefully they can accomplish that with reforms.

That's what they have been telling us for nearly a year. And we don't even know what the reforms are. Nobody in a high position here likes a democracy. And you belive a good way to start any kind of reform is to forbid people to criticize it

Edited May 23, 2014 by bangkoklasse

[Robbie Dye]

Can't even watch cartoons on True. Ridiculous to block the entire programming. Money back ? I think not

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Piichai]

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.

Thailand didn't have a democracy before the coup. And there's no hope of having a democracy unless Thailand establishes a democratic landscape.

Hopefully they can accomplish that with reforms.

That's what they have been telling us for nearly a year. And we don't even know what the reforms are. Nobody in a high position here likes a democracy. And you belive a good way to start any kind of reform is to forbid people to criticize it

Reforms are to be negotiated by all interested parties, not dictated by one. First the framework must be established.

While Abhisit proposed a reasonable framework to begin the process, it was stonewalled by PTP & UDD.

The Senate gave them another chance, but PTP & UDD stonewalled again.

Now Prayuth is having a go. But still PTP & UDD couldn't do something for the good of the country.

There most certainly will be changes, but one wonders if PTP will be part of them.

[lavender19]

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?

You never know.

[thaibeachlovers]

Still BBC at home.

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

WETV was showing all foreign/ sports channels till before 8pm when they were all slowly cut off If that goes on for a while, wonder if I can get a refund?

I bet tourists are IRATE- can't go out after 10pm and not even tv to watch in their rooms. I sense a lot of potential visitors will be going elsewhere. Just what the economy needs right now!

Edited May 23, 2014 by thaibeachlovers

[thaibeachlovers]

Hmmmm can't edit my post, so PS

I bet tourists are IRATE- can't go out after 10pm and not even tv to watch in their rooms. I sense a lot of potential visitors will be going elsewhere. Just what the economy needs right now!

[thaibeachlovers]

I see the edit finally arrived- bit slow today.

[thaibeachlovers]

Is it just my computer, or has TV gone bonkers just now? Page kept flashing on and off and always going back to top of page. Hopefully a temporary glitch.

[gp2002]

Can't even watch cartoons on True. Ridiculous to block the entire programming. Money back ? I think not

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Just deduct those days from your bill when you pay it and tell True that they can collect that money from the Army.

[DrTuner]

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

Most excellent. Now the 7-11 clerks must return to actual work from their mobile chatting sessions.