Now I know why 'the rules' are 'the rules' in this section of the forum!
From a post on ThaiVisa today:
ICT Ministry bans websites attacking govt
Closures 'violation of right of free speech'
BANGKOK: -- Two websites critical of the government were banned yesterday, the first to be shut down for political activity rather the usual reason, pornography.
The two websites are run by Ekkayuth Anchanbut and run by Anchalee Paireerak.
They were closed by an order issued by the Information and Communications Technology Ministry dated June 18.
A ministry inspector said yesterday the websites were closed for two reasons _ no evidence of who their real owners were and violent content that could trigger social disorder.
The inspector, who asked not to be named, said there was only evidence of website leases and there had been complaints that the content encouraged the public to stage demonstrations. They also contained fierce political accusations.
Through internet service providers, officials concerned demanded contact details from the operators, to no avail. So the websites were ''suspended'' until they were improved and registered properly.
Miss Anchalee, a host on FM92.25 community radio station, complained that the ban was tantamount to denying public access to information.
If the programmes of the radio station, which were also broadcast on the website, were not good enough, there would be no audience, she said.
Mr Ekkayuth, a businessman and vocal critic of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said his legal staff would consider action as the constitutional right to give the public information had been violated.
He knew who ordered the closure and believed it stemmed from three issues presented on his website _ the inappropriateness of a deputy prime minister running for UN secretary-general, vested interests in the stock exchange that involve politicians, and problems in the South.
''There are attempts to persecute the owners of the servers that we rent through business means. But after this closure, I can reopen it. I developed the website to reveal the truth, not to topple the government as alleged.
''I have the constitutional right to say that I don't like Mr Thaksin and he cannot prohibit me from telling the truth.
''He can always say who he does not like and sometimes he even says that in his Saturday morning radio programme. Everyone must have an equal right of expression,'' Mr Ekkayuth said.
The prime minister addresses the public on national radio every Saturday morning.
Wuthipong Pongsuwan, adviser to the PM's Office Minister who was said to be the person who sought the closure from the ICT Ministry, said it was unnecessary for him to complain to the ministry because anyone, including more than 300 MPs of the prime ministers's Thai Rak Thai party, could make a complaint after visiting Mr Ekkayuth's website.
As evidence of legal violations was clear, the closure was as right as that of pornographic and illegal trade websites, he said.
''Any website that affects security and the royal institution, causes great damage to individuals and contradicts morality should be axed.
''Both websites encouraged people to join demonstrations and support a coup. In fact, they should have been dealt with long ago,'' Mr Wuthipong said.
Chavarong Limpatamapanee who supervises moral issues for the Thai Webmaster Association said it was the first time a website in Thailand making critical comments of the government had been closed. The state had no right to act as censor as it violated freedom of expression.
--Bangkok Post 2005-06-22
Websites closed down by Thai government
This has been mentioned before and I understand the moderators concern for the site.
However in my opinion Toxin's covering his own back therefore is only interested in sites that can potentially influence Thai net surfers....and that means Thai language sites only. In my opinion this applies to anything he doesn't like....from freedom of speech issues through to porn.
If it's in English I don't think he's too bothered - Thai's aren't reading it and I don't think he really cares what farangs think....they can't vote.
Some of the BKK sites continue to post ten times more outrageous stuff that will ever appear on HHAD on a daily basis, and I doubt they'll be touched.
Keep HHAD as it is....don't drag down the quality of content. But don't scaremonger posters with the threat of Toxin's internet police.
However in my opinion Toxin's covering his own back therefore is only interested in sites that can potentially influence Thai net surfers....and that means Thai language sites only. In my opinion this applies to anything he doesn't like....from freedom of speech issues through to porn.
If it's in English I don't think he's too bothered - Thai's aren't reading it and I don't think he really cares what farangs think....they can't vote.
Some of the BKK sites continue to post ten times more outrageous stuff that will ever appear on HHAD on a daily basis, and I doubt they'll be touched.
Keep HHAD as it is....don't drag down the quality of content. But don't scaremonger posters with the threat of Toxin's internet police.
Never trust a hippy....
Heebio,
I agree in the main with what you say. HHAD, as a predominantly local forum, is unlikely to attract much attention from Big Brother.
But if you think that educated Thais and the thought police do not read these forums, think again. They do and post as well.
ThaiVisa is regularly checked - that's why the mods can be so brutal at times in closing threads down. Stickman also has to be careful. I've put some pretty contoversial stuff on Stickman's site and, after e-mail conversations, decided to remain anonymous, with no references to dates, locations, people etc etc.
Sure there's scaremongering, but I don't think that was the point of Jaime's OP. It was simply reported The Bangkok Post article.
The people employed to check sites, such as this, do understand English.
I still think Taxin's a tosser and I'm not sfraid to say so.
I agree in the main with what you say. HHAD, as a predominantly local forum, is unlikely to attract much attention from Big Brother.
But if you think that educated Thais and the thought police do not read these forums, think again. They do and post as well.
ThaiVisa is regularly checked - that's why the mods can be so brutal at times in closing threads down. Stickman also has to be careful. I've put some pretty contoversial stuff on Stickman's site and, after e-mail conversations, decided to remain anonymous, with no references to dates, locations, people etc etc.
Sure there's scaremongering, but I don't think that was the point of Jaime's OP. It was simply reported The Bangkok Post article.
The people employed to check sites, such as this, do understand English.
I still think Taxin's a tosser and I'm not sfraid to say so.
I was referring to some of the posts on the previous thread on this subject. Wasn't having a go at Jaime...sorry if it came across like that.lomuamart wrote:Sure there's scaremongering, but I don't think that was the point of Jaime's OP.
Lomuamart...I agree completely. Given this government's desire to control all sections of everyday Thai society I wouldn't expect anything less.lomuamart wrote:The people employed to check sites, such as this, do understand English.
What I would say though is that the Thai's who are reading this and other English speaking sites, are either employed by the government, whereby they already tow the official line, or are educated Thai's, who are presumably capable of forming their own opinions and lifestyles, without influence from government propaganda.
My point is, English speaking sites will not generally be read by the average Thai on the street or in the country....the target group for Toxin's moral, but you better vote for me, dictats.
We can express our political and cultural opinions but they're not going to be read by the people that matter....the Thai people. Sure we'll be monitered, but we'll be tolerated.
As I said earlier there's healthy debate here, but no sleaze. Lets keep it that way.
Never trust a hippy....
I see where you're coming from now, Heebio.
Agree 100% with your comments.
My missus dosn't reckon The Fearless Leader will win a third term - mainly due to rising fuel prices. Time will tell. I just hope she didn't vote for the muppet this time. I've never asked the question, respecting her right to privacy on that subject.
Agree 100% with your comments.
My missus dosn't reckon The Fearless Leader will win a third term - mainly due to rising fuel prices. Time will tell. I just hope she didn't vote for the muppet this time. I've never asked the question, respecting her right to privacy on that subject.