Censorship in Thailand JM 210

Table of contents Definition of censorship Types of censorship in Thailand The government’s argument on censorship The public’s argument on censorship

What is censorship?

To "censor" is an act of choosing to remove or hide a part of information that is considered to be offensive or inappropriate. In other words, it is an elimination of indecent words or graphic images from the public audience. For instance, self- censorship is when you try to avoid saying certain things — or possibly re-wording them depending on who is listening.

Censorship in Thailand Media censorship: Newspaper Internet Films Government policy on censorship

Newspaper/News Censorship

Newspaper/News Censorship Latest Thailand press freedom score referring from the freedomhouse.org Thailand’s score has varies from 58-60 but it stayed in the partly free status before the NCPO control the country. Years Press freedom score 2010 58 (Partly free) 2011 62 (Not free) 2012 60 (Partly free) 2013 2014 (coup d'état) 64 (Not free)

Lese Majeste in Thailand It is the strict law that protect the royal family. According to Article 112, who defames or insults the royal family “will be punished up to 15 years in prison” This law occurred because they are the central of the society in Thailand. Since 1908

News Censorship Daily Mail It is banned by the military since Daily Mail published the content about the royal family. In this case, the news media is blamed for not following Thai lese-majeste laws. Mail Online Mail Online published inappropriate video of Crown Prince of Thailand on its site. So it was blocked in Thailand. Thailand is ranked 130th out of 180 countries in censorship index at that time.

This website has an inappropriate content and information that was banned by ICT (Ministry of Information and communication technology)

The Asian edition that has been censored in Thailand

Newspaper/News Censorship Firstly, The New York Times newspaper that was published in Thailand left a blank space in the news about the King’s health. Since it is wrong to criticize his health according to the lese-majeste laws, the editor can be sued as it is considered as an illegal act. It is really risky to talk about the royal family in the public. Next, the news about Thai economy was also left blank. Media in Thailand has been monitored closely since the takeover of the NCPO.

Newspaper/News Censorship Drawing a satirical cartoon is prohibited in Thailand Especially the ones that are too sarcastic or offensive Bangkok Post A satirical cartoon by Sakda Sae-eaw, which was too offensive, is prohibited to publish to the public. “When your cartoons only attack, but do not contain jokes. You cannot do this job,” said Sakda.

Internet Censorship Single gateway: Single gateway is when the government reduce international internet gateway to only one channel and the government will be the one who controlling it. It allows the government to Control the information in and out of the country. Blocked website that they think that it is inappropriate. Have an access to personal information of the public Internet users. "General Prayuth was worried about Thai youth accessing inappropriate content," He thinks that in fact, privacy should be considered more importantly. http://www.cabinet.soc.go.th/doc_image/2558/993152581.pdf

Banned Films

Arbat A Thai movie about a monk that acted inappropriately → having a relationship with a female during his ordination, drinking alcohol, and committing violence. The worst thing he did was not respecting a Thai God called Buddha. Because of this, The Department of Cultural Promotion made an order to ban the movie.

Arbat

The Hunger Games Three fingers salute symbolizes admiration, thanks, or saying goodbye to a person that you love. In Thailand, the military coup thought of it as a silent resistance or unofficial symbol of opposition to Thailand’s coup. Meaning of the sign: “A photo montage circulating online paired a picture from The Hunger Games with a graphic of three fingers labelled: No Coup Liberty Democracy 3 fingers salute represented by District 12 -- it symbolizes admiration to the person u love Gov thinks it is a silent resistance Meaning ⇒ no coup/liberty/democracy

The government’s argument on censorship Helps preserve the secret of a nation The NCPO censored some sensitive information to protect its private information Example: a military Protects children from inappropriate material Example: pornography Censorship prevents some scenes in movies that are considered to be offensive Example: The Hunger Games

The public’s argument on censorship Lack of freedom of the press Less freedom of speech It is against creativity as there is limitation in the society. Limit the ability of a society to advance the greater understandings of the world People can seek less information Single gateway: it “consolidates all the gateways into one central government-controlled point” Allows the government to monitor the citizen closely

Conclusion

The press status in Thailand is not free anymore Thailand should consider about the importance of the freedom of speech more and censor only some inappropriate content. In our country, the military claimed that censorship helps reduce conflicts about countries’ differences or political issues In fact, some censored information can conceal the truth about some specific people like the government → this is against our human rights There should be a limitation in censorship

Work Cited Thailand's Single Digital Gateway: https://fccthai.com/items/1765.html Hunger Games salute banned by Thai military: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/03/hunger-games-salute-banned-thailand MailOnline blocked in Thailand by military junta after publishing video revealing decadent lifestyle of country's Crown Prince and his wife: MailOnline blocked in Thailand after it publishes video of ... - Daily Mail https://johnib.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/mailonline-gets-blocked-in-thailand-after-it-publishes-video-revealing-decadent- lifestyle-of-countrys-crown-prince-and-his-wife-cavorting-in-a-g-string/ Down the Memory Hole Lies ‘Juntaland’:http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1446833596 Drawing and crossing the line:http://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/drawing-and-crossing-the-line/814008 Single Gateway: https://www.blognone.com/node/72775 Assault on Thai government websites 'symbolic', minister says: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/01/us-thailand-internet-idUSKCN0RV4HD20151001 Freedom House:https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/thailand The Lese Majeste: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29628191 New York Time censored http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/04/thai-printer-blanks-another-international-new-york-times

Members 1. Natwajee Chiamburaset 5807640502 2. Akira Ngamphathipong 5807640445 3. Chanakarn Denwatanyu 5807640221 4. Jirachaya Osothsongkroh 5807640098 5. Chonnikarn Truengchitvilars 5807640999