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Technology Thailand

Where Thais and technology clash

by Jesada Chandraprasert, Thailand

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Thailand tackles online censorship again

Nov 9, 2009 22:20

Prathet Thai, or land of the free, is what Thailand is called in the Thai language. Land of the free (and home of the brave) also defines the US. As the US went through a post-9/11 re-evaluation of what freedom would require to be sacrificed, ironically, to protect the country's values and way of life. For Thailand, we have not had any external attacks on our country or way of life. Rather, as it pushes forward in socio-technological development, long-standing values and customs often clash with the modern interpretation of freedom.

As more and more of its people become connected and better educated, it is inevitable that they develop their own thoughts, opinions and interpretation of freedom.

In recent weeks, there have been rumors and speculation on very sensitive subjects which have caused the SET (Stock Exchange of Thailand) to drop and send the general public into a frenzy. This has resulted in another round of discussions within the Thai bureaucracy to review its policy and penalties regarding online content and what is construed as "inappropriate", "offensive" and a national security threat.

Taking into account that most legislation is pushed forward without public votes, this particular piece of legislation is one that many Thais feel "does the job" in protecting what they hold most dear. However, as with all issues, there are also people who reckon that the 2007 Computer Offences Act is just another tool for the Government to use to abolish its critics' voices.

Whatever your opinion is on internal issues, does that justify censorship by Government or individual? Before you start to formulate your own opinion, please take into account the recent ratification by six European Union countries on the Internet as a fundamental human right. While some may think that there are other atrocities worse than not being allowed access to online content, maybe, say, genocide in certain African countries, in my opinion, the Internet and access to its content are an essential part of any country's development.

To many, the Internet is a channel to gain access to entertainment, make purchases and keep in touch with friends and family. To others, it is a lifeline to the rest of the world, a source for information, a portal to learn new things.

I prefer to liken the Internet to a basic skill most are taught as part of the learning process--reading. By enabling someone to read, it opens up a whole new world of learning for them. They can pursue their passions and develop new skills, all by opening up a book. The Internet is similar in that the Net allows people to access knowledge of books and the collective consciousness of those around the world. However, like any teen sneaking a copy of Playboy into his room, what kind of books you read is a personal call, just as with what kind of Web sites you access. By disallowing access to books or certain Web sites, is it not as harsh as book burning by certain political groups during the Second World War?

Then again, with the level of higher education being relatively low in Thailand and the lack of maturity with respect to online activities (I would like to reference my recent post regarding chain emails), is it in the country's best interest to have Big Brother make certain decisions for Thais?

It's a question that all Thais must ask themselves and make their voices heard, especially now as the Government mulls on clamping down even more.

In light of recent events, the bureaucracy has started to put more pressure on companies with respect to its employees using their facilities and for what purposes. When questioned by the Nation newspaper on their opinion about the liability of companies and organizations for the online actions of their employees, there have been mixed feelings from many executives. Quoted from the Nation: "With the increasing use of so many forms of online communications, Mr Komkrich said laws should be updated to cover all channels with potential to create damage, including blogs." Komkrich is VP of the Mitr Pol Sugar Corp.

Western Digital HR director Somnuk Wiroonpong was quoted as saying: "It may sound unfair for a company to be responsible for employees' activities that violates an organisation's regulations. But in a way, it is a call for an organisation to be more serious in controlling possible damage, even though it would add more cost."