ICT Ministry bans websites...

[rickfarang]

From Bangkok Post 22 June, 2005

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ICT Ministry bans websites attacking govt

Closures 'violation of right of free speech'

 

BANGKOK: -- Two websites critical of the government were banned yesterday, the first to be shut down for political activity rather the usual reason, pornography.

 

The two websites are run by Ekkayuth Anchanbut and run by Anchalee Paireerak.

 

They were closed by an order issued by the Information and Communications Technology Ministry dated June 18.

 

A ministry inspector said yesterday the websites were closed for two reasons _ no evidence of who their real owners were and violent content that could trigger social disorder.

 

The inspector, who asked not to be named, said there was only evidence of website leases and there had been complaints that the content encouraged the public to stage demonstrations. They also contained fierce political accusations.

 

Through internet service providers, officials concerned demanded contact details from the operators, to no avail. So the websites were ''suspended'' until they were improved and registered properly.

 

Miss Anchalee, a host on FM92.25 community radio station, complained that the ban was tantamount to denying public access to information.

 

If the programmes of the radio station, which were also broadcast on the website, were not good enough, there would be no audience, she said.

 

Mr Ekkayuth, a businessman and vocal critic of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said his legal staff would consider action as the constitutional right to give the public information had been violated.

 

He knew who ordered the closure and believed it stemmed from three issues presented on his website _ the inappropriateness of a deputy prime minister running for UN secretary-general, vested interests in the stock exchange that involve politicians, and problems in the South.

 

''There are attempts to persecute the owners of the servers that we rent through business means. But after this closure, I can reopen it. I developed the website to reveal the truth, not to topple the government as alleged.

 

''I have the constitutional right to say that I don't like Mr Thaksin and he cannot prohibit me from telling the truth.

 

''He can always say who he does not like and sometimes he even says that in his Saturday morning radio programme. Everyone must have an equal right of expression,'' Mr Ekkayuth said.

 

The prime minister addresses the public on national radio every Saturday morning.

 

Wuthipong Pongsuwan, adviser to the PM's Office Minister who was said to be the person who sought the closure from the ICT Ministry, said it was unnecessary for him to complain to the ministry because anyone, including more than 300 MPs of the prime ministers's Thai Rak Thai party, could make a complaint after visiting Mr Ekkayuth's website.

 

As evidence of legal violations was clear, the closure was as right as that of pornographic and illegal trade websites, he said.

 

''Any website that affects security and the royal institution, causes great damage to individuals and contradicts morality should be axed.

 

''Both websites encouraged people to join demonstrations and support a coup. In fact, they should have been dealt with long ago,'' Mr Wuthipong said.

 

Chavarong Limpatamapanee who supervises moral issues for the Thai Webmaster Association said it was the first time a website in Thailand making critical comments of the government had been closed. The state had no right to act as censor as it violated freedom of expression.