Thai government censors Internet for ‘national security’

Sylvie Barak
The Inquirer
Thursday, Sept 4, 2008

SHOWING THE WORLD what it really thinks about all this democracy rubbish, the Thai government has decided to close down and block over 1600 websites, purportedly in the name of national security.

Mun Patanotai, Thailand’s Information and Communications Technology Minister, yesterday petitioned his country’s courts to close down some 400 Websites which apparently “disturbed the peaceful social order and morality of the people, and/or which were considered detrimental to national security”, whilst pressuring ISP’s to block a further 1200.

The sudden dramatic concern for national security seems to have arisen at exactly the same time the Thai authorities were forced to declare a state of emergency in the country, as thousands of protestors, demanding the Government stand down, took to the streets yesterday.

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A purported 344 of the 400 websites were shut down for being mean to the Thai royal family – who obviously aren’t all that good at dealing with their annus horribilises. Two more sites deemed problematic were of a religious nature, whilst another contained a sex video game and five more were simply labeled ‘obscene’.

We don’t mean to sound preachy, but perhaps if Thai premiere, Samak Sundaravej was just a little less concerned about his citizens’ cyber sex and monarchial moanings, and just a tad more concerned with running his country properly, Thai protestors wouldn’t be quite so angry. Just a thought.

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6 Responses to “Thai government censors Internet for ‘national security’”

1. Coal Says:
   September 4th, 2008 at 10:19 am

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErFOsoKzpD0
   2:50, slow mo towers collapse- stunning

   still think it was muslim lowriders driving jets?

   God Bless

2. will hale Says:
   September 4th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

   so predictable just like their cousins in burma

3. ThomasT Says:
   September 4th, 2008 at 4:59 pm

   The opposition is as corrupt as the government, which was elected, in an unrigged but bribed election. The opposition wish to end one man one vote and then select 70% of the parliament, with only 30% elected members. I hope the government continues, and stability returns. The opposition has shown great disregard for the countries people by damaging tourism, one of their major income sources. 70% of the citizens of Bangkok, polled for the governement. If a website is anti, shut it down, under these circumstances. I also hope the treason arrests go thru and they stick the troublemakers in Jail.

4. MAR Says:
   September 5th, 2008 at 9:16 am

   Thai’s still have much more freedom than do Amerikans. Those blow hard Americans always talking about freedom and democracy and now look…they don’t have either…but, they are still talking as if they do. What a joke you Americans are!

5. Dave Eriqat Says:
   September 5th, 2008 at 11:59 am

   Oh, Thailand, please, pretty please, block my site! I’ll say something “mean” about the royal family if that’s what it takes.

   Dave
   http://daveeriqat.wordpress.com/

6. alwaysnationalsecurity Says:
   September 5th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

   Sounds familiar… for reasons of national security, huh?
   Right…

   http://illuminatimatrix.wordpress.com

   Here’s what you NEED to know.
   It’s time.

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