Which choice is most correct given the situation in Thailand now?   

21 May 2019

Amnesty International Thailand

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Which choice is most correct given the situation in Thailand now?   

 

I bet you’d better think to yourself if you do not want to be accused of “causing damage to the general public”.   

 

Just from the lyric, It is not difficult to guess the name of this song. Does it make you feel happy as a listener?   

 

On 4 March 2017, I posted this message in my personal facebook account asking my facebook followers, which choice was correct. I could surmise that 90% of them chose None of the above as their answer. 

  

The following day, I posted again in my facebook page the result of the quiz and offered my criticism of the performance of the government as an ordinary citizen could do.   

 

A few days later, I have been informed that police from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) came and looked for me at my home after the Criminal Court had issued me an arrest warrant for allegedly entering false computer data into a computer system in a manner likely to cause damage to the general public, a violation of the Computer Crime Act’s Section 14 (1),* 

 

On 15 March, I turned myself in to answer to the charges to prove my innocence. In the midst of the press, I insisted that “everything I did was simply an expression of my thoughts.” I deposited one hundred thousand baht in cash as bail bond to get myself out. Until now, my case is still under the investigation of the police.   

 

As a citizen, I have exercised my right to criticize the government which is trying to clamp down on the people. Everyone is entitled to the right to freedom of expression. It is incredible that a facebook posting can be criminalized this severely in this era….  

 

 

Amnesty Opposes Using Computer Law to Limit Free Speech 

 Amnesty International Thailand opposes use of Computer Crimes Act intended to curtail peaceful excercise of right to freedom of expressionProvisions in the law are so vague that they could be interpreted to allow authorities to limit freedom of expression. 

 

 

* Computer Crimes Act BE 2560’s Section 14 (1) 

Whoever dishonestly or by deception, enters wholly or partially distorted or false computer data into a computer system in a manner likely to cause damage to the general public; which is not a defamation under the Criminal Code shall be punishable by an imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand baht or both   

 

Sources: 

Freedom of Expression Documentation Center by iLaw 

 

Note: The statement above is not the exact quote from a Human Rights Defender. It has been, however, adapted based on facts and news reports as well as documentation by nongovernmental organizations.