Thai Junta Leader Deflects Concern Over Mass Surveillance Bill
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Thai junta leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has asserted his authority to pass a mass surveillance bill that would allow officials to inspect any form of communication without a requesting a court warrant.

When a reporter from Isra News asked the junta chairman to comment on the draft of the controversial Cyber Security Act, Gen. Prayuth responded that Thai people should learn about "rules" instead of focusing only on the "restriction of their rights."

"Today, have I ever restricted anyone's rights? Have I ever done that?" asked Gen. Prayuth, who imposed martial law after leading a military coup on 22 May 2014, and has banned any political protests or public criticism of his regime.

The reporter pressed Gen. Prayuth to justify the sweeping nature of the bill, prompting Gen. Prayuth to lose his temper and shout, "I don't have to answer why! I will pass it. You have a problem with that? Otherwise, why the hell am I the Prime Minister? Why am I the Prime Minister?"

Gen. Prayuth then walked away from the reporters and said angrily, "I'm in a very bad mood."

If passed, the Cyber Security Act, a draft of which is available on the Thai Cabinet’s website, would grant officials authority to "access any channel of information and communication, including mails, telegrams, telephones, fax, computer, or any other type of electronic and telecommunication equipment" in order to safeguard the "cyber security" of the state.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1421841564&section=11&typecate=06


-- Khaosod English 2015-01-22

No comment.

I wonder how this will affect people using strongly encrypted communications which are known to be unbreakable at the moment due to the nature of the math they rely upon.

Eg PGP email.

This is like a Monty Python sketch

Its all getting a bit scary now

Its all getting a bit scary now

Please do not fret, my friend. Costas, rubl & djjamie will be along shortly to explain why these measures are to be applauded and how the west is far worse.

Its all getting a bit scary now

Please do not fret, my friend. Costas, rubl & djjamie will be along shortly to explain why these measures are to be applauded and how the west is far worse.

I couldn't agree more, we have had a coup to further democracy, so of course, a bill intruding on my privacy is all in the name of freedom.

Speechless....

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Its all getting a bit scary now

Please do not fret, my friend. Costas, rubl & djjamie will be along shortly to explain why these measures are to be applauded and how the west is far worse.

and more or less telling the Journalist to <deleted> off was a "Reasonable response " to such an impertinent question

Safeguarding cyber security is a very poor euphemism for more power.

If the PM hasn't restricted rights why is this forum so careful about the material posters send in ? Isn't it to be on the right side of martial law and official dictates and actions.

Is he denying Attitude Adjustment or military re-education units in rural villages or is this all happening without his knowledge ?

"Today, have I ever restricted anyone's rights? Have I ever done that?" asked Gen. Prayuth"

In most civilized countries it's everyone's right to be able to meet in groups consisting of more than 5 persons and to say what you want about the rulers. Being able to vote without being told by a military junta when and who you can vote for is also everyone's right.

"why the hell am I the Prime Minister? Why am I the Prime Minister?"

Because you stole it, you fool..................

This man is very dangerous, and people who can't see this, are either really naive or are partisans.... Time for the cheerleaders to wake up to themselves,and realise they are backing the wrong horse.

Not the first time he has been tetchy when asked questions he either has no answer to or does not wish to answer.

Makes you wonder.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Its all getting a bit scary now

Please do not fret, my friend. Costas, rubl & djjamie will be along shortly to explain why these measures are to be applauded and how the west is far worse.

and more or less telling the Journalist to <deleted> off was a "Reasonable response " to such an impertinent question

He was trying to bait the journalist as the media know if they openly question his authority or decisions they have broken the law.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Its all getting a bit scary now

Please do not fret, my friend. Costas, rubl & djjamie will be along shortly to explain why these measures are to be applauded and how the west is far worse.

and more or less telling the Journalist to <deleted> off was a "Reasonable response " to such an impertinent question

He was trying to bait the journalist as the media know if they openly question his authority or decisions they have broken the law.

Exactly, but I don't think that shows a very admirable character. Being obstructive and dismissive just because you can be

In the past, all that needed to be done was kick down a few radio and television stations doors. Now of course it is a lot, lot harder, hence the 'not having a good day' remark.

"When a reporter from Isra News asked the junta chairman to comment on the draft of the controversial Cyber Security Act, Gen. Prayuth responded that Thai people should learn about "rules" instead of focusing only on the "restriction of their rights."

And does the govt not have to do the same thing?

"I don't have to answer why! I will pass it. You have a problem with that? Otherwise, why the hell am I the Prime Minister? Why am I the Prime Minister?"

Now, there's a question.......

Sounds like he needs a very good PR person along with coaching in same if he is to endear himself to the public. Aside from that the new bill does seem quite oppressive.

No violation of privacy: PM
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation



PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied that the Digital Economy bills would violate people's privacy.

"No, I am not going to look into your secrets. I am not going to pore over your personal affairs," he said, adding that the bill would only allow authorities to crackdown on illegal activities in cyber space.

"If anybody violates the law, we will have to intervene," he said.

He added that if these bills were put into effect, they would provide the authorities better means to stem wrongdoings, such as those related to lese majeste violations.

He also explained that the bill would be adjusted and improved during the legislative process.

There has been an uproar over the bills, with critics seeing them as a threat to privacy and freedom of expression.

"Why don't you talk about the good things in the bills, too?" the prime minister said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/No-violation-of-privacy-PM-30252415.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-22

Thai people should learn about "rules" instead of focusing only on the "restriction of their rights."

just amazing. OK, so we all understand whose rules he meant...

"Today, have I ever restricted anyone's rights? Have I ever done that?" asked Gen. Prayuth,

er, yes...

The reporter pressed Gen. Prayuth to justify the sweeping nature of the bill, prompting Gen. Prayuth to lose his temper and shout, "I don't have to answer why! I will pass it.

according to the interim charter, he has already given himself that ability.

You have a problem with that? Otherwise, why the hell am I the Prime Minister? Why am I the Prime Minister?"

good question and others wonder the same thing...

Gen. Prayuth then walked away from the reporters and said angrily, "I'm in a very bad mood."

poor fella... what a hard.

Many officials in this part of the world give dismissive and smart arsed answers to the Press. Police chief and Army chief of Malaysia being 2. During the MH370 press conferences they tried to do the same and got hammered by the western media, I mean just standing there with their mouth open.

I'd like to see this fella up against the free press

We will of course be given unrestricted access to all of the current administrations electronic communications to show the classic form of ''leading by example''. no doubt?

"Why don't you talk about the good things in the bills, too?" the prime minister said."

Hmm......

Keeping the rules of the forum in mind it's hard to post the type of comment many of us will feel without risking sanction.

I know the ' D ' word is banned but yesterday's display is well... !

LM the mother of all excuses here. Where will this stop?

Perhaps he should borrow that dinky little hand-held sign, with a 'cross' meaning 'bad question', which another PM used to use, when asked a question he didn't like or want to answer ?

Or maybe grow a thicker skin, like a professional liar politician ?

It could be me, but the headline "deflects concern" would appear to be somewhat off the mark.

"I don't have to answer why! I will pass it. You have a problem with that? Otherwise, why the hell am I the Prime Minister? Why am I the Prime Minister?"

I guess the question was rhetorical?

"surveillance bill that would allow officials to inspect any form of communication without a requesting a court warrant"

You're deceiving yourself if you don't think MICT was already doing this, albeit, illegally.