Thai editorial: No sound justification offered for Internet 'firewall'

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
No sound justification offered for Internet 'firewall'
The Nation

With signs of suppression all around, Thais are understandably upset about the government's plan to further constrict access to the Web

BANGKOK: -- A tumult of concern has justifiably greeted the government's plan to channel Internet access in Thailand through a "single gateway" under its control. Ostensibly a means of shutting out "inappropriate websites" and other information from abroad deemed undesirable, the gateway idea has raised hackles among e-commerce entrepreneurs, online-based activists and Net users in general.

The Cabinet has ordered the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology to set up this single gateway as a tool to control incoming data. To a large extent it will duplicate the much-denigrated "Great Firewall of China" through which Beijing minutely filters global Internet traffic.

The main fear here is that the plan will allow the military to increase censorship, further undercutting citizens' fundamental right to freedom of speech. That in turn will devalue Thailand's regional status as an IT hub.

Online businesses fret that the country's fast-growing Internet-based commerce might be significantly hampered by bottlenecks in the

exchange of information. Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, an expert in the field, has warned that, while the single gateway would allow easier and more effective filtering of content, it's risky because of potential slowdowns and downtime, which would cause enormous economic damage.

What is missing from the debate, and fuelling criticism, is adequate reassurance from the government.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Uttama Savanayana, Deputy Premier Prajin Juntong and government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd have tried and failed in turn to allay growing concern, and in fact have only added to suspicions that stricter state control is imminent.

Sansern has said the government wants to foster a "digital economy" and boost e-commerce, but a balance must be struck between the demands of national security and the public's right to information. Prajin sees the scheme as a way of coordinating diverse regulatory measures under a single integrated entity. Uttama cites a feasibility study on establishing a "neutral" Internet exchange through a joint private-public corporation, and says the government is only interested in overseeing the practice and protecting citizens, certainly not violating anyone's basic rights.

Undermining all of these arguments is the ugly fact that the government is already deeply involved in online censorship, from mundane porn sites to the editorial criticism of Britain's Daily Mail newspaper to lofty domestic political discourse. All talk of "integration" and "consolidation" rings hollow when Thai citizens voicing their views online are threatened with paramilitary legal action.

Objections to the single gateway are not easily dismissed. A petition posted on the website Change.org had, as of yesterday, gathered more than 90,000 signatures. Its stated concern is possible tougher government control over cyberspace, reaching well beyond the routine blockage of sites deemed threatening to national security or public morals.

Even if, as polls indicate, almost half of Americans are unfazed by Washington monitoring their phone calls and Web use, there is widespread fear everywhere else in the world that state spying has evolved too far. Thais for the most part are prepared to give the government the benefit of the doubt in light of events in recent years, but it first needs to provide plausible justification for this latest move. That rationale is as yet lacking, and meanwhile online critics are being routinely silenced. The plan, as it stands, just doesn't add up.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/No-sound-justification-offered-for-Internet-firewa-30269905.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-01

[NOC]

No amount of reassurances from the government will suffice.

The people are saying they don't want this. Listen!

[selftaopath]

LOL. It's not part of "Thainess" to listen.

Ever been around a bunch of Thais? They're all talking at once. I asked my wife a/b it.... simple answer: Everyong talks; No one listens.

When has any Thai govt. listened "to the needs" of Thai people? It's ALL about CONTROL.

[NongKhaiKid]

LOL. It's not part of "Thainess" to listen.

Ever been around a bunch of Thais? They're all talking at once. I asked my wife a/b it.... simple answer: Everyong talks; No one listens.

When has any Thai govt. listened "to the needs" of Thai people? It's ALL about CONTROL.

" We're the govt and everything we do is in the best interests of the country, that's all you need to know. "

" Somchai did that sound sincere and remeasuring enough ? "

[ramrod711]

Undermining all of these arguments is the ugly fact that the government is already deeply involved in online censorship, from mundane porn sites to the editorial criticism of Britain's Daily Mail newspaper to lofty domestic political discourse. All talk of "integration" and "consolidation" rings hollow when Thai citizens voicing their views online are threatened with paramilitary legal action.

People will find a way to communicate, government efforts to stop them will always fail. Now where can I find carrier pigeons?

[MaxLee]

Dear people of Thailand: CHINA IS NOT OUR FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[worgeordie]

Thailand and the Government, just needs to look at other repressive tyrants

that excessively monitor the Internet,China, N. Korea,Cuba,Sudan,Syria to

name a few,does Thailand want to join that club.

Thailand means freeman,maybe time for a name change,why are World Governments

so afraid of their own people,why must they always try to control us,under the lie,

its for our own good.

regards Worgeordie

[trogers]

Now, if only they can also filter direct signals to and from satellites...

[Pib]

Sansern has said the government wants to foster a "digital economy" and boost e-commerce, but a balance must be struck between the demands of national security and the public's right to information.

Where Sansern says "....demands of national security..." he really means the control, filtering, and blocking of any information which opposes or speaks negatively about govt policies.

Basically selective chocking of information and communications flow which democracy needs to thrive.

[Just1Voice]

This is a bad idea on so many levels, many of which the Junta can't even see.

[Laughing Gravy]

The title is true. The only sound justification is for those who want to suppress knowledge and information. they have done it for years here with in factual history in schools and poor education. Now the internet and social media is around people are educating themselves and learning the truth. So the elite just want to cut that, so people stay stupid, hence the firewall. Very much like the Berlin wall the government were telling the people it was to stop people coming in, when everyone knew it was to stop people getting out.

Sound for only those who have lots to lose and we all know who that is.

[DDbkh]

Unfortunately, any move like this will alert international commentators and investors who will not understand how different Thailand is to every other country on earth. They will believe that this is a form of repression which is not in the interests of the Thai people, as evidenced in other countries.

Other concerns would be the integrity of the censors 'who watches the watchmen?' - commercial secrets and intellectual property will be at risk which will cause international investors to at least pause until the true extent of this repression is understood.

[gandalf12]

Now, if only they can also filter direct signals to and from satellites...

You can but I am not going to say how you do it for obvious reasons

[oneday]

No amount of reassurances from the government will suffice.

The people are saying they don't want this. Listen!

Ah, but why should the government listen?

That only happens in a Democracy which this country is moving further and further away from every day.

[gandalf12]

Unfortunately, any move like this will alert international commentators and investors who will not understand how different Thailand is to every other country on earth. They will believe that this is a form of repression which is not in the interests of the Thai people, as evidenced in other countries.

Other concerns would be the integrity of the censors 'who watches the watchmen?' - commercial secrets and intellectual property will be at risk which will cause international investors to at least pause until the true extent of this repression is understood.

You mean they wont understand Thainess?

[DM07]

Since when has any official voice in Thailand have a "sound" justification for anything!

Everything sounds like a justification, if that's what you mean!

[sawadee1947]

Sansern has said the government wants to foster a "digital economy" and boost e-commerce, but a balance must be struck between the demands of national security and the public's right to information.

Where Sansern says "....demands of national security..." he really means the control, filtering, and blocking of any information which opposes or speaks negatively about govt policies.

Basically selective chocking of information and communications flow which democracy needs to thrive.

who says there is democracy here.....the same democracy as in China, Burma, Cambodia and other neighbours

[FangFerang]

To protest the "firewall of Thailand" BP reported that Thai hackers had brought down several (more than five) government websites yesterday night, some of which were not back online at 7 AM. The government claimed it knew about the attacks and shut the websites down themselves.

Thai hackers...there's a scary thought. If they hack like they drive the entire world wide web could collapse.

Likewise, the Nation reports that the Thais used a clever technique to prevent attacks from working, but simultaneously claimed "some people" could not access the government websites. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/ICT-solves-DDoS-attack-by-using-US-proxy-30269942.html

It is fairly obvious some people bitch slapped the junta's IT division (stands for Idiotic Technologists). They are losing face trying to keep from losing face while losing more face lying about not losing face.

and a little bit of

Edited October 1, 2015 by FangFerang

[gandalf12]

To protest the "firewall of Thailand" BP reported that Thai hackers had brought down several (more than five) government websites yesterday night, some of which were not back online at 7 AM. The government claimed it knew about the attacks and shut the websites down themselves.

Thai hackers...there's a scary thought. If they hack like they drive the entire world wide web could collapse.

Likewise, the Nation reports that the Thais used a clever technique to prevent attacks from working, but simultaneously claimed "some people" could not access the government websites. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/ICT-solves-DDoS-attack-by-using-US-proxy-30269942.html

It is fairly obvious some people bitch slapped the junta's IT division (stands for Idiotic Technologists). They are losing face trying to keep from losing face while losing more face lying about not losing face.

and a little bit of

Philippines, China yes but from Thailand that has to be a joke

[Srikcir]

There is a huge risk for businesses with a single gateway, whether controlled by the government or by a quasi-public organization. When it goes down or falters, be it from natural causes, technical glitches, electronic overload, or deliberate sabotage, all e-commerce CEASES.

That might include electronic retail point of sales, banking, auto and train signalization, air traffic control, utility transmission and distribution, social media, electric-based transportation, CCTV surveilance, etc.

For a nation just entering into a digital commerce economy with few digital gateway alternatives, transitioning immediately to a single gateway would become a greater risk to national secuirty than an armed invasion. If Thailand wants to flourish in the modern world, it must abandon its castle protected by a drawbridge mentality and embrace the international e-community.

[English 1]

Goodday, I would be very interested to know why anything which is from or about the English Newspaper

'The Daily Mail ' is blocked by the government?

[phycokiller]

this is an excellent idea if you are planing to stage a coup, but they already did that. maybe they will have to do it again soon and are preparing

[phycokiller]

Goodday, I would be very interested to know why anything which is from or about the English Newspaper

'The Daily Mail ' is blocked by the government?

I think they published an article a few years ago that they havent been forgiven for yet

[gandalf12]

Goodday, I would be very interested to know why anything which is from or about the English Newspaper

'The Daily Mail ' is blocked by the government?

I think they published an article a few years ago that they havent been forgiven for yet

Just been reading the Daily Mail online and not having it is not a bad thing...............it is rubbish

[NOC]

LOL. It's not part of "Thainess" to listen.

Ever been around a bunch of Thais? They're all talking at once. I asked my wife a/b it.... simple answer: Everyong talks; No one listens.

When has any Thai govt. listened "to the needs" of Thai people? It's ALL about CONTROL.

I don't doubt for a skinny second that life here is about control for most of the population, however control is an illusion, especially among those who couldn't think there way out of a paper bag with a flashlight and directions.

I was hoping, dreaming perhaps, that if enough people made the same statement, somehow it would become part of the collective consciousness, like it does with the hundredth monkey effect.... (pun intended)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundredth_monkey_effect