Internet Censorship by Law: A Challenge to the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Expression in Thailand

Authors

  • Jompon Pitaksantayothin Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2014.5.1

Keywords:

Internet censorship, freedom of expression, Thailand

Abstract

In Thailand, at present, content on the Internet is subject to a legal regulatory framework. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) takes a leading role in enforcing the Computer-Related Crime Act 2007 to censor content on the Internet which is deemed ‘illegal’. In this article, it is contended that the legal regulation of Internet content which Thailand adopts is problematic in several aspects. This could pose a serious threat to the constitutional right to freedom of expression of Internet users in Thailand.

Keywords: Internet censorship, freedom of expression, Thailand.

Author Biography

  • Jompon Pitaksantayothin, Mahidol University, Bangkok
    Name : Lect. Dr. JOMPON PITAKSANTAYOTHIN
    Degree : Ph.D.(Cyberlaw)
    E-mail : jompon.pit@mahidol.ac.th
    Research Interest :
    The Internet and society, sexual content, control of alcohol consumption, public health law, cybercrime and law

References

Barendt, E., Freedom of Speech (2nd ed.), (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2005). Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT), http://facthai. wordpress.com/2006/12/06/analysis-mict-blocklist-26-may-2006/, accessed 13th August 2013. Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT), http://facthai. wordpress.com/2007/01/15/thai-website-censorship-jumps-by-more-than-500-since-coup//, accessed 13th August 2013. iLaw, http://freedom.ilaw.or.th/node/97, accessed 6th July 2014.

Mill, J. S., On Liberty, Bromwich, D. and Kateb, G. (eds.), (Yale University Press, New Haven, 2003).

Privacy International and the GreenNet Educational Trust, Silenced – An International Report on Censorship and Control of the Internet, (Setline Data Ltd, London, 2003).

Paireepairit, I., Internet Censorship in Thailand, (2008) a Thesis submitted for a Degree of Master of Science in Information Management, the University of Sheffield.

Redish, M. H., ‘The Value of Free Speech’, (1982) University of Pennsylvania Law Review, 130(3), pp.591-645. Research Team, Impact of the Computer-Related Crime Act 2007 and State Policies on the Right to Freedom of Expression’, http://ilaw.or.th/sites/default/files/ComputerCrimeResearch. pdf, accessed 14th August 2013.

Scanlon, T., ‘A Theory of Freedom of Expression’, in Dworkin, R. (ed.), The Philosophy of Law, (Oxford University Press, London, 1977).

Schauer, F., Free Speech : A Philosophical Enquiry, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1982). Yahoo News South Africa, https://za.news.yahoo.com/facebook-back-thailand-still-blocking-219-sites-coup-033607503. html, accessed 6th July 2014.

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Published

01-12-2014

Issue

Vol. 5 (2014): UUM Journal of Legal Studies

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Pitaksantayothin, J. (2014). Internet Censorship by Law: A Challenge to the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Expression in Thailand. UUM Journal of Legal Studies, 5, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2014.5.1

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Identifiers DOI 10.32890/uumjls2014.5.1