Rangwan.Com

» American bloggers face international risks - Web Publishing Blog

One of my favorite blogs, Mashable, was just banned in Thailand.Earlier this month the blog owner, Pete Cashmere, made a post about YouTube banning videos making fun of Thailand’s king — light stuff compared to what us Americans see of George Bush.

Would Pete be arrested if he ever visited Thailand? Punishment for insulting the King is up to 15 years in prison.

You never know what forum or blog posts you wrote may be dug up, or have even been indexed and noted by a foreign country that does not value human rights or free speech. That really sucks for bloggers who enjoy traveling.

First of all, “light stuff compared to what us Americans see of George Bush.” this sentence is emotional sentence based on you’re an American. It is not just a light stuff for a Thai like me.

Secondly, Pete will not be arrested by just posting an argument about YouTube banned in Thailand. I’m one of Thai bloggers who is hurt about those videos on YouTube but does not agree with the government’s action to YouTube [Open Letter to ICT, Open YouTube Now!!!, Howto Access Blocked Websites] and I’m still free outside the jail.

Thirdly, Jufer Olive - the guy who was arrested because of lesse-marjeste had been live in Thailand for 10 years. He must know the laws and the most respectful “Does and Dont’s” rule of thumbs of living in Thailand. How can you, as a government, ignore this guy who does against the laws? Right?

If, for example, I’m arrested in America because I do something against America’s laws. Can I argue that I am from Thailand and I don’t know the laws as such I can’t be wrong???

The best way to take action if you do not agree with the laws is to change the laws but not by taking action against the laws. Isn’t it?

Finally, everyone has right to speak but the speech should be fair to whom has been criticized. You can’t just say that because American’s “freespeech” so you can do anything you want to a person who is not American and living outside America. People in different part of the World also have “right” to protect themselves too.

Just a fact of life that we’re different.

Technorati Tags: Banned, lesse-marjeste