Watch wot yer say online then...

[dave32]

Hey, that's nice, you're free to be open when you're in private with someone who won't turn you in --> just don't get on their bad side.

 

Not making a very convincing case here Flash.

 

So what part is buffalo dung specifically?

[Flashermac]

The dunginess is the idea that Thais do not talk about "certain subjects". They do and I've had some interesting discussions with university lecturers (generally the younger ones).

 

But with the current divisions between reds, yellows, blues, blacks etc one watches one's mouth. There is even a little game Thais play trying cautiously to sound out a stranger to decide what side they are on and what how much they can say. I get it even from taxi drivers, before they will finally admit to being a red or a yellow or a 'none of the above". It is an interesting time to live here!

 

My Mrs tells me it goes on at work, though they know quite well she is a passionate red. (Wish she'd be as passionate about me these day.) However, she is also a very strong royalist.

 

Thais like to be catty, especially women, stabbing each other in the back with glee. Thus you only talk freely about some things with those you trust. You were in a restaurant where anyone could be listening in!

 

 

 

 

[Gadfly]

I don't disagree with FM's description of what happens in small private discussions or discussions with taxi drivers. I have had similar experiences in the office and in taxis.

 

The enforcement of speech laws here is dysfunctional. How else to explain, among other things, the 1,500% increase in LM prosecutions. Or the fact that these things need to be discussed in privacy. In all honesty, I need to re-read TH's post because I don't get the point he is trying to make. No offense, but are you (TH) seriously arguing that that this incredible increase in LM is justified by some unique, previously unknown and unparalleled threat to Thailand?

 

That's how I read your post, but perhaps I misunderstood it. If that is your argument, it's a real disappointment. This is the same argument that is always used to suppress serious discussion and dissent. Let the marketplace of ideas - the free flow of comments, reasoned and otherwise - sort itself out on its own. No society benefits by having self-appointed "patriots" decide what and is not fair game for discussion.

 

 

[Lusty]

Mrs Rusty is a Thai living overseas and interestingly she won't dis the British Royal family,let alone the Thai one.

I showed her a clip on Youtube from Spitting Image and she was horrified!

[ThaiHome]

... In all honesty, I need to re-read TH's post because I don't get the point he is trying to make. No offense, but are you (TH) seriously arguing that that this incredible increase in LM is justified by some unique, previously unknown and unparalleled threat to Thailand?

 

That's how I read your post, but perhaps I misunderstood it. If that is your argument, it's a real disappointment. This is the same argument that is always used to suppress serious discussion and dissent. Let the marketplace of ideas - the free flow of comments, reasoned and otherwise - sort itself out on its own. No society benefits by having self-appointed "patriots" decide what and is not fair game for discussion.

 

 

How in the world did you read my post as saying this “incredible increase in LM is justified by some unique, previously unknown and unparalleled threat to Thailand�

 

What I said “was using the 1,500% increase in LM cases to say that enforcement has increased and therefore censorship in Thailand is increasing is not valid when you look at what the preponderance of the cases actually areâ€. My point being that most of the cases are of the outright insulting type or politically motivated and not rational discussions of the role of the monarchy (such as the case of Somsak and Princess Chulabhorn). Nor is the enforcement of the LM laws a sign that other types of speech, i.e. criticism of the current government, are being suppressed.

 

You seem to be really focused on the 1,500% increase in LM cases. Do you see any parallel between that and the similar increase in internet social networks? It would seem to me that you have to separate the LM cases into 3 categories. First would the insults posted on social networks of a type not seen until recently, second would the people like Jutaporn, da Torpedo, and the recent case of the Thai-American UDD supporter, that are committing LM for political reasons having nothing to do with monarchy (which is the actual reason for the LM laws), and the third are the rational and actually needed discussions on the role of the monarchy in Thailand’s future.

 

My argument is the most of the increase in LM cases are of the first category with an increase in the politically motivated type as well. I base this on my friend’s experience in running a Thai web board and what he told after he was charged with LM in a case very similar to the Prachatai webmaster for not deleting comments posted on the board.

 

Worth noting, his case did not become a huge political issue such as the Prachatai case, but was quietly handled with him paying a fine and agreeing to make changes in (which they had already done) how postings are reviewed being allowed to put on the board. The post he was charged for was an extremely juvenile, immature insult and until recently, virtually all Thais would not dream of such things.

 

You seem to be taken in by the Jutaporns and Giles types, supported by group of western paid lobbyist, bloggers and reporters, that portray the increase in LM cases as showing that Thailand has become some sort of oppressive, crushing police state where political discussions and criticisms of the government is not allowed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Criticisms of the government abound, are printed and televised every day. But you have to leave the monarchy out of it, for now anyway, I personally do not think that is a bad thing.

TH