Thailand Shuts Down 43,000 More Websites 166
An anonymous reader writes "Bangkok Post reports that the Thai government has now shut down over 43,000 websites deemed defamatory to the royal institution. Thai ISPs are warned to cooperate 'voluntarily' or lose their license. This is in addition to 17,000+ that were recently blocked for 'national security,' including both Facebook and Twitter accounts."
Do we need a "DRAW Bhumibol Adulyadej" day? (Score:5, Insightful)
The nuclear resistance myth (Score:5, Insightful)
Should have designed the internet to be more resistant to oppressive governments.
Since they are more dangerous than nuclear weapons anyway.
All I can hope (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Bangkok renamed (Score:3, Insightful)
Interestingly, Bangkok is only the international name, in Thai it's called Krungthep.
Does Krungthep say, in Thai, anything about banging cocks?
Yes, it's a serious question.
Stop smirking!
Re:The sad thing is... (Score:4, Insightful)
Perhaps you have also heard of PR, public relations. Those purveyors of lies and false images in order to create a false impression of some of the biggest arse holes on the planet, of course rich arse holes.
All people are defined by the actions. Any arse hole that lets tens of thousands of web sites be shut down in their name in order to preserve the bull shit public relations image, well guess what, they are arse holes.
If the Thai people are having their ability to critique the political leadership than it behoves free thinkers from around the world to make those criticisms seem like nothing compared to the public derision piled upon the decietful and shameful Thai un-noble un-royal house. The sheer arrogance of people who believe they are special because of the particular hole they were squeezed out of, special enough to be honoured and obeyed by every citizen of their country and if that's not enough they also expect that specialness to be acknowledged by the rest of the world, more than 6 billion meant to be less than a bunch stupendously arrogant arse holes, they are special, a special kind of arse hole.
There is never an excuse for that kind of behaviour, for that arrogance of the minority over the free and democratic will of the majority. Monarchy a lie that has been based on centuries of torturing to death anyone who disagreed, well that time is over and, no way it is ever coming back.
Re:The sad thing is... (Score:1, Insightful)
> they also expect that specialness to be acknowledged by the rest of the world
As opposed to expecting some other part of the world to sit up and listen when you lecture them on how they are doing it all wrong?
> that lets tens of thousands of web sites be shut down in their name
> for that arrogance of the minority over the free and democratic will of the majority
The government puts these laws in place. You're opposed to the King overriding government. You're also opposed to the King not overriding government. Make your mind up!
Re:All I can hope (Score:4, Insightful)
He's probably hinting at the police state that the UK is turning in to, with the tons of surveillance etc.
Whether it's the royal family that's the excuse for it doesn't really change things.
Voluntarily hand over the cash, or I'll shoot you (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Do we need a "DRAW Bhumibol Adulyadej" day? (Score:4, Insightful)
Jees, you know almost every business will have a picture of the king up. Why don't you threaten to wear yellow as well.
Re:The nuclear resistance myth (Score:4, Insightful)
The CIA's definition of oppressive is "we do not like them", so Iran is oppressive, but Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are not.
Re:Kings and Queens (Score:2, Insightful)
Monarchs help with continuity and political stability. No matter who gets elected there is always some form of continuity - national identity - some form of heritage to remind people who they are or what they stand for - even if many of those things are ascribed to modern non-absolute monarchs and may have previously been outlawed by their predecessors.
Re:The sad thing is... (Score:1, Insightful)
Thailand is a nation that has had as many coups since 1932 as the US has had elections.
Yes, always remember that one man's coup is another man's colour coded revolution.