Even though a petition circulated that had more than 300,000 signatures from citizens opposed to the new restrictive Computer Crime Act amendment, the bill has just passed unanimously.
An amendment that will essentially give the government the power to access and censor online content, as suggested by a board of five men, got a positive vote of 167 to 0 from the National Legislative Assembly at 3:50pm today.
Five assembly members abstained from voting, reported Khaosod English.
What seems to scare citizens the most about the amendment, is that the board of five men, who now have limitless power over online content, may choose to remove things that are not illegal but don’t serve the purposes of the government. The amendment also gives them the permission to go to any lengths to see information that’s online but not for public consumption, including decryption.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatchaval Suksomjit, the official who led the push for the amendment, still stands by his statements that the amendment will not restrict Thais from voicing their opinions or create an environment of fear, as has been voiced by opponents. He also claims that the amendment was not created to ease the public into accepting the “single gateway” that will allow the government to have total control over what’s seen on the internet in Thailand.
The amendment will now be sent to the king and he is expected to endorse it in 20 days.
Read Coconuts Bangkok’s feature on how this Computer Crime Act will affect your browsing activities.
Related:
Thai netizens say no to restrictive Computer Crime Act
Sweeping Censorship: New computer crime laws would give government control of internet
