Posting on social media can get you in trouble

[Lite Beer]

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Posting on social media can get you in trouble
KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI
@Aim_TH

BANGKOK: -- A WARNING is doing the rounds on Line of how social-media users could face a criminal charge if they carelessly post photos of inappropriate acts by other people or themselves.

The warning was actually a re-run message after many recent cases of people who got into trouble because of their use of the media.

A man posted pictures of a police officer in plainclothes wearing a police helmet near the boot of a car parked in a 'No Parking' area and accused the officer of abusing his power beyond his duty hours.

The officer and his supervisor clarified later that the officer was actually removing a wheel clamp from the man's car after he had paid a fine. His shift was over and he was going home but he did not want the car owner to wait too long for another officer. So he decided to go and remove the clamp although he had changed his clothes. However, he wore the helmet with his police identification number.

Despite an apology, the police officer decided to sue the man for violation of the Computer Crime Act for fabricating the story and defaming him.

Mana Treelayapewat, a journalism lecturer, commented on Facebook: "Is this an example of 'Rashomon in the digital Age?' What is false, what is the truth?"

Nanthasit Nitmetha wrote: "This is the time where everybody has the media in their hands, but not so that they can make up stories or accuse anyone."

@JesJueJang wrote on Twitter: "The man violated the No Parking sign and still used many excuses. Shame on him."

On kapook.com's web-board, users argued who deserved to be blamed.

Ton Hate posted: "People quarrelled because of the media. They did not verify the news properly before publicising it. People then have different opinions."

Oho replied: "Don't just blame the media. Don't you have any consideration of your own?"

HeHeHe wrote: "Stories posted on Facebook have lower credibility. Unless you have a point to make, just stay still and don't get yourself in trouble by posting."

Late last month, foreign and Thai media outlets reported on a video clip purportedly showed three Leicester City footballers engaging in sex acts with three Thai girls while calling them racially derogatory terms during their tour in Thailand.

Thousands of Thai Web users took to social media to voice their displeasure over the video, the football club and the club's Thai owners - King Power International Group.

Leicester City issued a statement that the three players were being sent home ahead of the rest of the team and an investigation was being conducted. It said the players had apologised and the club would take the incident seriously.

Leicester Thailand Fan Club page publicised the statement. However, almost a week after the incident, some Facebook followers were still posting comments about the players' conduct.

Trok Khaosan TrokKhaosan: "I no longer support this team. What the three players did was so depressing. I will no longer buy the clothing, souvenirs or buy anything at any King Power shop unless there is clear and quicker punishment. I am really sorry to see Thai women insulted."

Chiranan Toey: "That's it. No more support for this team."

Jrchai Techa: "I still keep supporting the team. But there must be proper investigation and punishment."

Earlier, a young woman had to rush and turn herself in to police after she posted a picture of a police ticket on Facebook with the caption that she had failed an alcohol test, recording 90mg per cent of alcohol, which exceeded the 50mg per cent limit. She could have been jailed but luckily, with some strong backing, she was released after receiving a ticket for only a Bt500 fine for driving without licence.

Netizens condemned her and accused the police that issued the ticket of malfeasance. The police said that the woman did not take any alcohol test. Finally she reported to the police station and apologised for her post. A few people really know whether she took an alcohol test, but she has learnt an important lesson about social media use already: be very careful.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Posting-on-social-media-can-get-you-in-trouble-30261761.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-06

[rubl]

True in most countries nowadays. Anything you post can and if necessary will be used against you.

[krisb]

So if he had of being in violation then it's fine to publish the pics.

I think that cop sees it as an easy way to make a dollar and needs to get over it.

[rubl]

"Trok Khaosan TrokKhaosan: "I no longer support this team. What the three players did was so depressing. I will no longer buy the clothing, souvenirs or buy anything at any King Power shop unless there is clear and quicker punishment. I am really sorry to see Thai women insulted.""

I wonder if this means a tremendous drop in profit for the King Power Group.

In the mean time some people are still suffering from the money they had to spent on school clothes, books and so.

[ezzra]

" A man posted pictures of a police officer in plainclothes wearing a police helmet near the boot of a car parked in a 'No Parking' area and accused the officer of abusing his power beyond his duty hours."

So is this the best example they come up with? a man wearing a police helmet? never mind the extreme

pornography, cruelty to people and animals, shame less acts of self exhibitions, the beheadings,

the hate mongering propaganda all over the world of all races just to name a few...

now days, everyone is a night of the keyboard, most of them hiding in the deep recesses of

the cyber world.... yes, I'd say, that posting on social media can get you into troubles if you get

caught, but the chances there are slim...,

Edited June 6, 2015 by ezzra

[Nemesis7]

It looks like pretty soon most of the law schools will have many subjects and course on IT related crimes and its punishment.

[arrowsdawdle]

"Trok Khaosan TrokKhaosan: "I no longer support this team. What the three players did was so depressing. I will no longer buy the clothing, souvenirs or buy anything at any King Power shop unless there is clear and quicker punishment. I am really sorry to see Thai women insulted.""

I wonder if this means a tremendous drop in profit for the King Power Group.

In the mean time some people are still suffering from the money they had to spent on school clothes, books and so.

Anybody that patronizes anything of King Power is supporting the framing of customers on bogus shoplifting charges to extort bribes, or has everyone forgotten about what happened at the Suvarnabhumi Duty Free section?

[klauskunkel]

It's sad when virtual misdemeanors can get you into more trouble than physical crimes...

[phantomfiddler]

We are definitely in a time when we should be very careful about what we post on the media, and in my opinion these rules of appropriateness are well founded. So easy for someone to make something up and have the whole world read it. Computer crime is in it,s infancy and any law that is an attempt to thwart such behaviour is well overdue.

[Lupatria]

We are definitely in a time when we should be very careful about what we post on the media, and in my opinion these rules of appropriateness are well founded. So easy for someone to make something up and have the whole world read it. Computer crime is in it,s infancy and any law that is an attempt to thwart such behaviour is well overdue.

I agree with the first sentence. However, any government should also act careful and responsible in implementation of laws that clearly cut human rights.

In view of the recent incident at the FCC we may very well be on the path when terms like "Human Rights" and the call for "Democracy", tracked down in any post by the cyber police, already qualify you for "attitude adjustment" or a jail term.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

I don't have a problem if someone gets sued because they told untruths, but there is a tendency in this country and others that even if you speak the truth you get nailed. Without the truth there can be no justice and without justice there is no liberty.

[zaphod reborn]

It looks like pretty soon most of the law schools will have many subjects and course on IT related crimes and its punishment.

No, I'm afraid not. In Thailand, law students are tasked with memorizing the written legal codes and statutory legal procedures. There is almost no discussion of legal reasoning or any court decisions. Of course, without a legal reporter system, it is almost impossible to properly research and analyze legal precedent in the country. This is why most law firms and corporations favor hiring Thai lawyers who have earned their law degree or graduate legal degree (LLM) abroad.

[timewilltell]

People should be able to debate issues on social media without threat of a crime being committed. Unless there is a clear intent to demean without cause or to lie in order to cause injury to another then there should be no case to answer. The example of the policeman is a perfect example of where the post should not be subject to a charge in law. The policeman has every right to rebut the allegation and a member of the public seeing something which looks wrong should have every right to post it without having to do a thorough investigation of what the policeman was doing. The law is being used to control and limit discussion of subjects the powers that be are uncomfortable about and so doing are destroying democracy.

Thailand's laws are becoming absurd.

[stevepompey]

Facebook will be the scurge of mankind.

I am fed up of people walking into me or block ones way because they are obsessed with their f++++++++ pages.

Twatter is not much better.

[Chang_paarp]

The federal police commissioner in Australia has warned his officers to assume they are being filmed at all times when at work or even when not on duty. Given the preponderance of camera phones and the wide use of social media this is sage advice.

Unfortunately this attitude will not be demonstrated by the similar level officer in Thailand, even if the advice is given, the acceptance of its reality may not sink in to many.

[jspill]

They don't seem to realise you can turn off public setting and only share stuff with friends/family. Nearly 100% of Thais seems to post everything 100% public, their entire life history, a million selfies, it's a stalker's wet dream.

[NanLaew]

"Trok Khaosan TrokKhaosan: "I no longer support this team. What the three players did was so depressing. I will no longer buy the clothing, souvenirs or buy anything at any King Power shop unless there is clear and quicker punishment. I am really sorry to see Thai women insulted.""

I wonder if this means a tremendous drop in profit for the King Power Group.

In the mean time some people are still suffering from the money they had to spent on school clothes, books and so.

Anybody that patronizes anything of King Power is supporting the framing of customers on bogus shoplifting charges to extort bribes, or has everyone forgotten about what happened at the Suvarnabhumi Duty Free section?

Apart from the sad few that liked your post, of course they've forgotten. That happened years ago.

Get over it.

[ronrat]

People have and will get murdered over false accusations or damaging photos posted on social media and it serves them right.

[Jim walker]

You can get off scot free with killing people in Thailand but try and report something obvious that you see you will be punished and someone will sue you so no more pictures of police / military in or out of uniform appearing to do wrong and so many pictures taken in 2010.

[gigman]

Modern slavery...

Media can lie to us if paid well but we can not show the truth...

World need to be reduced to heal all and everything .

Like Armstrong sang..."what are beautiful world "

Just superb !

Life in deep Amazonian jungle is more normal and logical.There is human and monkeys and they live beautiful normal life

In our so smart world we have so many monkey's and not so much normal human ...also beautiful ab..normal life.

BRAVO !

We are living in the world of lies mess and shrinking brain humanity only some may enjoy to watch this theater of comedy they created.

Bravo...humanity ..bravo ... you all deserved it.

Edited June 6, 2015 by gigman

[Remi080]

Well said Gigman! Everything gets smart, except the people. And we all get controlled by the media.

What if there was no media? Than we never had a man on the moon, we found smartphone's only in china, and there was no global warming or other nature disasters. Life would be more simple and peacefull. Media makes us sick, and negative. The share only the bad stuff in stead that they share the world that they found a cure for cancer. But hey, that make no money,and that got nothing to do with this topic, so excuse me for my bla bla bla.

[Strangebrew]

Now concerning the rude and lewd comment by unnamed Thai owned soccer team to the unnamed Thai ladies who have no choice in job they have to sevice men I won't give one satong toward anything offered by unnamed team or buy anything they endorse or sponsor Period.

[Beetlejuice]

I describe the social media as the toxic media. I am sometimes amazed how much information people publish about themselves on facebook and other similar sites. Many often describe in detail their careers on Linked In, then they tell all regarding their private lives on social networks. It is scary just how much information is out there about us. Armed with just a few details, it is possible to discover a huge amount of personal details about people, even tracing their activities back over several years.

Considering that anything people say and do on social media can be taken and used as evidence against them; then all those under the ages of 21 should be prohibited from participating on these sites and should display warnings with guidelines of what and what is not advisable to publish on social media sites.

The problem is that for many, social media such as facebook has become an addiction and a mainstream of people`s lives. Similar to mobile phones that users are unable to switch off.

These people have lost confidence of how to interact in the real world and feel more comfortable faking it on-line. Sad and pathetic individuals.

[rubl]

You can get off scot free with killing people in Thailand but try and report something obvious that you see you will be punished and someone will sue you so no more pictures of police / military in or out of uniform appearing to do wrong and so many pictures taken in 2010.

You forgot to mention the other years.

Anyway, even in democratic countries people get arrested and have their mobile device confiscated when they are seen to photograph or film an arrest or other police activity. Reason given for arrest "obstruction".

[ubonjoe]

A post flaming a member and replies to has been removed. A off topic post and a reply to it has also been removed.

[Yunla]

I use Twitter only, and I use it to obtain data on current events, and also I use it because it is a valid research tool for anyone studying social behaviour and changing trends. I also use Twitter to show my support for things like conservation and protection of endangered species.

One thing that struck me recently was the social media anger surrounding the tragic events on Mount Kinabalu. Many people were saying that this catastrophic event was caused by tourists taking naked photos on top of the mountain recently and posting them online, and that the later tragic events were somehow wrath of the gods. I found the comments upsetting on every level, not least because as we are now learning, many young children died in the event. I don't get into arguments on social media if I can avoid it, so I didn't say that it is possible to think ( as I do) that it is wrong to do what those tourists did, without bringing gods into it, and that the God that I worship would never go round punishing random people like that.

On the policeman in the OP, if he was just removing a clamp to help somebody, then I think he is right to take action against photos he considers to be defamation.

[Aladdin]

Twatter is not much better.

Thank you, I spilled my morning tea laughing when I read this one