reader Posted November 3, 2020 Posted November 3, 2020 From Bangkok Post Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta has become a target of criticism after his ministry blocked access to Pornhub, a well-known adult website based outside the country. The ministry on Monday ordered all internet providers and mobile phone operators to ban all access to the website after the Criminal Court gave the ministry the green light to take action, because porn websites are illegal in Thailand. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 190 URL addresses of the website, which claims to be the world's leading free porn site, had been blocked under the DES order. But instead of receiving praise, Mr Buddhipongse has been attacked for violating the right of the people to free access to the media. "The Anonymous Party insists on the right to hold gatherings and the right to have access to all types of media," the group posted on its Facebook account on Tuesday. That freedom included media containing sexual content, as long as viewers were not forced to watch it, the group said. ================================================================= From The Thaiger Expat says he was almost deported over Facebook posts With the ongoing pro-democracy protests, some have raised question: What could happen to foreigners who get involved or speak out against Thai politics? Or post their thoughts on social media? Well, they could possibly get deported. Expat Yan Marchal says he almost got kicked out of the country for posts he made on Facebook. Many of Yan’s recent Facebook posts are commentary relating to Thailand’s recent protests, although he has priors. Yan says he was on a visa under his Board of Investment, or BOI, company, valid until next March. He went by immigration to transfer his stamp into a new passport, but was told that his visa had been revoked and was now on overstay, Yan wrote on Facebook. “He told me that I would be deported. The reason given was my Facebook activity. I could see that he has a file with a detailed report on my posts, although he did not let me read the details.” Yan says he contacted Khaosod English. The news outlet got him in contact with the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. With the help of journalists and a lawyer, Yan met with another immigration inspector who told him that his visa was not cancelled, he will not be deported and the process for getting a new stamp in his passport would take a few days. Quote
Guest Posted November 3, 2020 Posted November 3, 2020 2 hours ago, reader said: What could happen to foreigners who get involved or speak out against Thai politics? Or post their thoughts on social media? 1 The Thai government seems not to respect free speech or any form of genuine democratic process. 2 Generally, I think it's advisable for foreigners to leave the protesting to Thais & not interfere in the politics. Having said that, I'm assuming the government will have better things to do than follow people posting on this site, to a mainly non-Thai audience, trace all the anonymous handles and stop us going to Thailand (which they currently do anyway). As long as we stay clear of banned topics. Quote
vinapu Posted November 4, 2020 Posted November 4, 2020 12 hours ago, z909 said: 2 Generally, I think it's advisable for foreigners to leave the protesting to Thais & not interfere in the politics. if they are living abroad you are correct but foreigner living in Thailand should be free to have their say like everybody else. Voicing an opinion , right or wrong is not interference in politics but again , I agree protesting itself should be left to Thais or more precise , residents Quote
TotallyOz Posted November 4, 2020 Posted November 4, 2020 6 hours ago, vinapu said: if they are living abroad you are correct but foreigner living in Thailand should be free to have their say like everybody else. Voicing an opinion , right or wrong is not interference in politics but again , I agree protesting itself should be left to Thais or more precise , residents I stay out of Thai politics. I think expressing a view with friends is OK. But, getting involved in any other way is not my place. I have enough shit going on in my own country right now to worry about politics here. (Elections, etc.) williewillie 1 Quote
