<p>On 23 Nov, <a href="http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/297283.html">Grp Cpt Anudith Nakornthap</a>, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, said that the Ministry had asked Facebook headquarters to delete over 10,000 URLs or pages which contained pictures and messages offensive to the monarchy.</p>
<p>Minister of Information and Communications Technology Juti Krairiksh said that on 18 Oct he invited 17 internet service providers (ISPs) to a meeting to ask for their cooperation in blocking improper websites which were found to have been increasing in number, over 82% of them being offensive against the monarchy containing doctored images. Only 7 ISPs showed up at the meeting.</p>
<p>The cause of the increase of such websites has yet to be determined, the Minister said.</p>
<p>In a cabinet meeting on 15 June, ICT Minister Chuti Krairoek reported about websites containing lèse majesté contents. He said that Jakrapob Penkair and Giles Ungpakorn are still active in conveying information through websites in Europe. Meanwhile, the Ministry of ICT found a group of 200 people that constantly posts LM messages online, which is against the law.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged ICT Minister Chuti to negotiate with the people related to the websites according to the National Reconcilation Roadmap.</p>
<p>The latest number of websites closed or blocked by the CRES is 1,150, increasing from 770 as of last week. A source at the CRES, however, said that some websites had been inaccessible due to traffic overload, not ordered closed by the CRES, and blamed ISPs for redirecting to the CRES page. </p>
<p>According to Pol Col Suchart Wong-ananchai, Inspector of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, the Ministry has shut down and blocked over 50,000 websites which violated the 2007 Computer Crimes Act. Websites concerning national security were the most numerous.</p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>On-line political writer Wattana Sukwat, one of the many writers having their content blocked or deleted by the ICT Ministry under emegency rule said the removal of his 200 or so articles is not just undemocratic but akin to deleting his on-line identity.</p>
<p>"I am a like matrix removed [in the Hollywood movie 'The Matrix'] and no longer exists [in cycber space] ," he said yesterday (Thursday).</p>
<p>The Civil Court dismissed a case brought by Prachatai against the government within 5 hours of the complaint being filed, without examination of witnesses.</p>
<p>The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation has ordered the MICT to close 190 websites, of which over 60% are claimed to be politically seditious. Since the red shirt protests started, the MICT has ordered the blocking of about 500 URLs per day on average.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has instructed its staff to monitor the posting of pictures which show violence in the clashes on Saturday. People are warned not to post comments divisive to society.</p>
<p>The Defence Minister has ordered all military units to monitor and subdue any subversive actions against the monarchy in cyber space and at political rallies. But months before this order, Provincial Army ROTC Training Centre 33, based in Chiang Mai, had already had high school students vow their loyalty on YouTube, and recently set up a web service for any citizen to report offensive websites.</p>
By Mutita Chuachang, Athit Suriyawongkul |
<p>Sawatree Suksri, a lecturer of the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, who has studied computer-related law in Germany, talked to Prachatai about the 2007 Computer Crimes Act which she finds too ambiguous in many points, including, for example, national security, which has been subject to arbitrary interpretations by the authorities.</p>
By Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) |
<p>The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) expresses its concern over a statement made by Information and Communication Technology Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee of Thailand threatening to pursue legal action against websites and their respective Internet service providers (ISPs) where posts discussing the King’s health allegedly caused the drop in the Thai bourse last month.</p>