THAILAND: New 'Thailies' website spurs strong reaction

A website which protests the Thai government's patent-breaking actions will come under government investigation

Bangkok Post
Wednesday, May 9, 2007

The government has increased its internet monitoring operations after the American lobby group USA for Innovation announced it had launched a new anti-Thai government website, www.Thailies.com. "We will check the background of the website operator to see if it has any hidden agenda," said government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalap.

A press release issued by AsiaNet Infoquest yesterday said the website was being launched by USA for Innovation to "draw attention to the deceit in Thailand's decision to steal American and European innovation".

Thailies.com would provide information about what it called 10 recent lies by Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla for two weeks from May 7 to 18, according to the press release.

For example, Thailand had lied that the country was poor, so it could not afford Western medicines. "In fact, Thailand has one of the largest economies in the world. Its economy is growing faster than over 100 countries," it said.

The site was inaccessible last night.

Mr Yongyuth said the government would continue to closely monitor websites that posted strong criticism of the coup-appointed administration.

"What we can do now is check the backgrounds of these website operators and give correct information about the government's work to the audience, both inside and outside the country," Mr Yongyuth said. He believed the international community would better understand Bangkok's decision to issue compulsory licences and break drug patents after the public health minister talks with concerned parties in Washington on May 21 and 22.

Health activists said they were not surprised by USA for Innovation's announcement of a website opposed to Thailand's issuing of compulsory licences to import generic versions of AIDS and heart drugs to treat poor patients.

"The organisation is supported by the pharmaceutical industry and it has to do everything to protect the benefits of its financial supporters," said Kannikar Kijtiwatchakul, a representative of Doctors without Borders.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said the ministry would go ahead with a criminal lawsuit against Google Inc for running video clips deemed offensive to the monarchy on its popular website www.YouTube.com.

He would proceed with bringing the case in the Thai Criminal Court on Friday because the internet giant had failed to remove all video clips deemed insulting to His Majesty the King.

YouTube has reportedly asked the Thai government "by email" to send copies of the controversial clips as evidence, so it can remove them as requested.

Mr Sitthichai said the request showed that YouTube was "playing a game".

The ministry has blocked local access to YouTube since April 4.

Date Posted: 5/9/2007