Fake Death

[Coss]

"after a week of widespread daily photos and video clips of people collapsing on the streets of Bangkok, here and ther, while others watched in horror, waiting for first responders equipped with PPE suits to come first, as bystanders refused to help, fear becoming possibly getting themselves infected.

Now the government and some of its supporters accuse its opponents of literally staging the sudden collapse and death on the streets to spread fears and panic.

(If you are not paid to collapse and fake to die on the streets, my advice is you better not recover, for you could be prosecuted as they suspect your collapsing was fake.)"

 

FAKE NEWS, REAL NEWS, FAKE DEATHS – AND A PANICKY THAI GOV’T

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2021/07/31/fake-news-real-news-fake-deaths-and-a-panicky-thai-govt/

 

[Mekong]

A good article, this along with “Red Dress” thread is an indication of the feeling in Thailand, the heat is slowly getting warmer on a daily basis on the military regime. 
 

General Pinocchio stated the other day “I will not step down” a phrase usually reserved by politicians who are under pressure to step down.

There have been rumors of a military coup to oust Pinocchio but they have been shut down as, you guessed it, “Fake  News” 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2158243/man-held-over-coup-plot-rumour  
 

You couldn't make it up.

[Mekong]

Media outlets and human rights lawyers petitioned the Civil Court on Monday to void a new prime ministerial order under the state of emergency decree that they believe threatens press freedom and freedom of expression.

They also asked for a court injunction temporarily freezing the use of the controversial order, pending a final judgement, on grounds the issue was critical to society as it posed a threat and instilled fear in the public.

Media representatives from digital platforms including The Reporters, Voice, The Standard and Prachathai, and lawyers from the Human Rights Lawyers Alliance filed the suit at the court, and named Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as the offender.

The lawsuit said press freedom was under threat from the 29th announcement of the emergency decree. It alleged the prime minister had no authority to block internet providers. The country already had the Computer Crime Act to penalise offenders, the lawsuit said.

Announcement No.29 under the emergence decree, signed by the prime minister, took effect on Friday. It insructs authorities to order internet service providers to immediately block the internet access of anyone who propagates information that may "frighten people".

The government claimed harsh measures were needed to stop the spread of misinformation and fake news, but media orgainsations, academics and human rights advocates argue that the order could instead be use to silence the government's opponents and media outlets critical of government policy. 

The order was issued amid growing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and its failure to provide enough vaccines and to curb transmission rates.

Six media organisations on Friday also threatened to step up legal and social pressure on the government if it refuses to lift what they see as restrictions on media freedom.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2158603/media-human-rights-lawyers-ask-court-to-annul-pms-order  

[Coss]

8 hours ago, Mekong said:

Six media organisations on Friday also threatened to step up legal and social pressure on the government

Yet again, Thai360.com/NanaPlaza.com is ahead of the pack :)

[Mekong]

Civil Court blocks PM's gag on free speech

Injunction order notes that government already has lots of other legal tools to fight fake news
 

The Civil Court on Friday ruled in favour of the media by issuing an injunction suspending Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s regulation restricting freedom of speech and threatening internet censorship.

The court said it went against the law.

The court also issued an English-language announcement of its decision.

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2161247/civil-court-blocks-pms-gag-on-free-speech 
 

I must admit I never expected the courts to rule against the Government, maybe there is hope for democracy after all.