Three rights organizations voice concern over new computer crime bill

[webfact]

Three rights organizations voice concern over new computer crime bill



BANGKOK: -- Three organizations on Wednesday submitted a letter to the National Legislative Assembly vice president Surachai Liangboonlertchai expressing their concern over the computer crime bill which they noted may clamp down on free expressions.

Ms Pornpen Kongkachornkiat, a representative of Amnesty International Thailand, told the media that Amnesty International Thailand, Privacy International and Netizens Network are particularly concerned with Section 14 of the bill which might be interpreted in a way to penalize individuals who post message in the social media “in a way which may cause public panic”.

She pointed out that the phrase “in a way which may cause public panic” is very broad and individuals who express opinions which do not pose a threat to national security or public safety may be liable to criminal litigation.

Mr Arthit Suriyawongkul, representing the Netizens Network, pointed out at Section 15 of the bill which states that internet service providers will be liable to punishment similar to the perpetrators who violate Section 14 of the bill if they cannot prove that they did not conspire with or did not consent the actions of the perpetrators.

He said that the service providers might resort to self-censorship to play safe.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/164969


-- Thai PBS 2016-05-27

[NongKhaiKid]

Keep it suitably vague to allow for interpretation as suits needs.

[bobmac10]

This is not accidental phrasing.

It's deliberately worded like that to ensure it can be interpreted by the tame judiciary to convict anyone who expresses opinions contrary to the government.

[Wilsonandson]

Rules on commenting. They gagged the media now it's time to gag the public too. Bye, bye freedom of speech. Only our thoughts are free now or will there be a clamp down on that too in the future?

[yellowboat]

What a fragile, fearful group of politicos and civil servants. The word "spineless" comes to mind. Suppose if you cannot

argue your way out of a paper bag and are a total coward, you resort to such things. Thai friends say the less intelligent become civil servants in Thailand and that was okay. Now that they are at their mercy, they may want to rethink that.

[Aj Mick]

Rules on commenting. They gagged the media now it's time to gag the public too. Bye, bye freedom of speech. Only our thoughts are free now or will there be a clamp down on that too in the future?

Critical thinking lessons will sort that one for the next generation.

[aussieinthailand]

NO NO NO,,,

We the junta suppa duppa fan boy's club (all five of us), say they are the saviors of the nation and all they do is very good and never ever violate human rights or freedoms of expression, ( except when it not what we think then "AA" for them as they are bad people and should not speak.)

We also say that the new computer crimes will be much better (ab-, used) than the last one so it good, and if you don't like it then get out.

[macksview]

restoring happiness, 3 wise monkey time.

don't listen, don't talk,don't read and don't write and you will be ok.

[wabothai]

Keep the pressure coming folks. There will be a day that they will have to give in.

[Winniedapu]

Keep it suitably vague to allow for interpretation as suits needs.

I rtemember PM Chavalit syaing he was told to do that with various instruments when he became PM. Not sure if it was a draft constitution or not, it may have been.

Anyway, he was apparently instructed to 'keep it vague, with lots of room for interpretation.'

Added to 12 successful approved coups and untold constitution rewrites, it hardly inspires confidence that elected governments had any chance at all to do anything useful for the people of Thailand, just opportunities for politicians (some, not all) to get their snouts in the same trough.

Honestly, I have come to the conclusion that Thailand never had a chance to implement democracy, it only ever had a chance to keep up appearances. The immense propaganda campaigns against the Thai people (which were designed by the USA in order to keep a footprint in Thailand after they got their bottoms righteously kicked in Vietnam) were solely designed to prevent Thais from questioning appearances while the powers that be raped the country.

It's a bit depressing really, to contemplate the real source and the real extent of it.

But one day (and that day is not far off now), Thais will awaken from the imposed wet dream.

And there'll likely be hell to pay unless the powers that be are shrewder than they seem. Without Prayuth's boss and the boss behind him, I suspect the whole thing may fold like a house of cards. Hope springs eternal.

Winnie

[american12bthai]

It works both ways. remember, they are always redirecting attention from themselves.

[Srikcir]

if they cannot prove that they did not conspire with or did not consent the actions of the perpetrators.

Instead of an accused trying to prove the absence of criminal behavior, should it not be the responsibility of the judicial system to PROVE the existence of criminal behavior? The proposed laws essentially make it a crime to defend oneself.

Thank you NCPO for reform of the Thai judicial system. The whole of Thai society is presumed guilty until it can prove its innocence.

[tails]

What if the government does something that causes a public panic? hang on, why did I write "IF"