Stories about Thailand
Blocking Facebook: A Hot New Trend in Southeast Asia?
More and more governments in Southeast Asia are becoming aggressive in their efforts to block Facebook, especially during crisis moments. Netizens should respond by remaining vigilant.
Thai Junta Used Facebook App to Harvest Email Addresses
New revelations show how determined the Thai government is to warp the Internet — including social media — to its own ends.
“Happy” in Thailand? How the Coup Regime is Still Suppressing Democracy
Mass media is being censored, Facebook is under fire and even the Hunger Games salute has been outlawed. Are Thais truly "happy" under the military regime?
Interview: Thailand's Coup Brings Self-Censorship, Curtailment of Free Speech
In this interview with a Thai citizen, we learn the impact of the ongoing military coup on the media and online freedom of expression in Thailand.
“I Can Feel Total Censorship in the Air”: Internet Freedom Evaporates in Thailand
"Freedom of expression is Thailand is at stake...Simply criticising the Council could land one before a military court."
Netizen Report: Thai Military Blocks Over 100 Websites Under Martial Law
This week, floods in Serbia bring wave of anti-censorship activism, a Singporean political blogger faces defamation charges, and privacy prevails in Germany's “revenge porn” case.
The Coup and the Information War in Thailand
The military says that it must control TV, radio stations and the Internet as a way to ensure that “truthful” and “correct” information is disseminated to the population.
Journalists Face Trial in Thailand for Quoting Reuters’ Report on Human Trafficking
Two reporters in Thailand are facing a defamation suit filed by the Royal Thai Navy after they quoted a Pulitzer-winning Reuters story about official involvement in trafficking Rohingya refugees.
Thai Media Groups Reject ‘Internet Censorship’ Bill
The Thailand government is proposing amendments to its already draconian Computer Crimes Act that would allow authorities to block websites without seeking court approval.
Southeast Asia: Dictatorships Are Gone, But Censorship Hangs On
Both off and online, censorship is still enforced in several Southeast Asian countries through the use of draconian laws and strict media regulation.
In Thailand, Facebook ‘Likes’ Can Land You in Jail
On major chat and social network platforms, law enforcement officials are now monitoring users of keywords including "coup", "monarchy", "drugs", "prostitution", and other terms deemed relevant to national security.
Thailand Wants to Monitor Conversations on LINE App
Government officials would monitor the messaging application to track online threats to national security. LINE has 15 million subscribers in Thailand.
Thailand Threatens to Censor Online Critics of Prime Minister
In the wake of the Thai government's lawsuit against cartoonist Chai Rachawat, the country's Minister of Information and Communications Technology has warned that websites containing defamatory remarks against the Prime Minister will be immediately shut down.
A man serving an anti-royal sentence in Thailand dies in prison
Akong was sentenced to 20 years in jailed for an unproven lese majeste case on the basis of Thailand's Computer Crime Act. The 61-year-old grandfather, who had long battled with oral cancer, was believed to have died as a result of this disease. Attempts to get bail for Akong, most notably due to his illness, was repeatedly denied.
Police lèse majesté “experts” in Prachatai trial
A capacity crowd of supporters filled the lèse majesté trial of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, webmaster of Thailand’s independent online news portal Prachatai, which continued into its seventh day at Bangkok’s Criminal Court. Yesterday’s animated senior judge, The Honourable Kampol Rungrat, was joined by a second. An affable police major-general, Suraphon Tuanphong,...
Thailand: Free speech on trial – day five
Day Five – Police scientist testifies for prosecution ((Please also read day one, day two, day three and day four trial.) The fifth day of trial continued on Friday for independent news portal Prachatai’s webmaster, Chiranuch Premchaiporn independent news portal Prachatai’s webmaster in Bangkok’s Criminal Court. Chiranuch is charged with...
Thailand: Free speech on trial – day four
Day four: MICT and police lawyers testify (Please also read day one, day two and day three trial) The trial of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, independent news portal Prachatai’s webmaster continued Thursday in Bangkok’s Criminal Court. Two further prosecution witnesses were called to testify. The morning session was devoted to MICT lawyer...
Thailand: Free speech on trial – day three
Day Three – MICT’s legal advisor testifies: “Freedom has its limits.” (Day one and day two trial) The third day for prosecution witnesses in the trial of Prachatai webmaster Chiranuch Premchaiporn opened in Bangkok’s Criminal Court Wednesday. We have written that Chiranuch is facing 50 years on ten charges under...
Thailand: Free speech on trial (day two)
Day Two: Thailand’s chief censor continues in Prachatai trial (Day one trial see) The second day in the lèse majesté trial against Chiranuch Premchaiporn, webmaster of Thai independent news portal, Prachatai, using the Computer Crimes Act began Tuesday. Chiranuch, nicknamed Jiew, was charged over ten comments to Prachatai’s public webboard...
Thai webmaster facing 50 years for lèse majesté postings
The trial of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, nicknamed Jiew, opened on Friday at Bangkok’s Criminal Court, the venue changed to Courtroom 701. A larger courtroom was needed due to an unprecedented number of observers from numerous Thai and foreign NGOs, local and international media, and foreign embassies.
