Military goes on web alert

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LESE MAJESTE

Military goes on web alert

Published: 25/09/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Defence Ministry has placed all military units on alert to curb acts of lese majeste in cyberspace and on community radio stations.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has told the armed forces to carry out extensive monitoring of internet and radio content, ministry spokesman Thanathip Sawangsaeng said yesterday.

Many unauthorised websites and community radio stations had been found to propagate negative opinions which could be seen as a threat to national security and the monarchy, Col Thanathip said.

He said a Justice Ministry survey had found more than 10,000 sites contained content that offended the monarchy but only about 2,000 of them could be successfully traced and banned.

The armed forces were asked to report acts of lese majeste to the Public Relations Department and the Information and Communication Technology Ministry.

Army chief-of-staff and Internal Security Operations Command secretary-general Prayuth Chan-ocha sought the cooperation of all army divisions in dealing with lese majeste problems on the internet, an army source said.

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Writer: WASSANA NANUAM

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moosatay

Discussion 5 : 25/09/2009 at 05:54 PM5
They do the thinking for us. Censor what we can say, see and read. They want to monitor news that are good for us not some garbage propaganda littering the internet. We should all be so lucky to have such caring group of militia watching over us.We are by no means run by dictators. According to our PM, we're a DEMOCRATIC country.
Willy

Discussion 4 : 25/09/2009 at 02:31 PM4
Army to controll web ... Army and Police to controll protesters .... Wellcome to the new thai democracy dreamt from Mr. Abhsit !!! Good luck Thais
T

Discussion 3 : 25/09/2009 at 01:57 PM3
LOL, an alleged democratic country feels threaten by its citizens opinion. Damn you guys had it worst then when the Thaksin govt was in power. Its like jumping out of the pan into the fire.

I motion for a new election. This has gone too far. Just a second ago they promise to take care of the economic woes and another moment later they do this.. amazing. Wait wait... on second though I do agree this will improve the economy and money well spent. My hats off to the PM and his party. Superb job.
ANONNYMOUSE

Discussion 2 : 25/09/2009 at 09:12 AM2
Why dont they take a military plane to Dubai and arrest the biggest threat to thai national security. Much better use of their time. One can only imagine what they will be surfing the web for. Someone needs to brief the defence minister on the role of the armed forces under his alleged charge. Dear oh dear.....
Somboon

Discussion 1 : 25/09/2009 at 05:40 AM1
This is a stupid nonsense idea by the Army or whoever else is involved!

Do the military have nothing else better to do? They should be working down South where they are suppose to. That is where their real work is.

What a waste of taxpayers money!

Military goes on web alert