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15 Years In Jail For Clicking 'Like'

Posted by Soulskill on from the this-is-not-the-way dept.

patiwat writes "Thailand has warned Facebook users that they could face 3 to 15 years in jail if they press 'share' or 'like' on images or articles considered unflattering to the Thai monarchy. And it doesn't just apply to Thai subjects: a U.S. citizen was arrested and convicted while visiting Thailand for posting a link to an unauthorized biography of King Bhumibol on his blog. Convictions for virtual lese majeste have sky-rocketed in recent years as efforts to defend the widely revered royal family from criticism have ramped up."

5 of 449 comments (clear)

  1. Why indulge? by Gothmolly · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why do people continue to go to countries that suck?

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    1. Re:Why indulge? by Hazel+Bergeron · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I haven't been to the US since they introduced the eye scan for citizens of my home country at entry.

      Shame. It was quite a nice place compared to much of the world.

  2. Re:democracy by vadim_t · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think free speech is a must for a democracy to work. How can you vote for what you want when it's illegal to say it?

  3. Re:democracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Democracy is meaningless without absolute protection of individual rights. In a free society, liberty tops all other factors, otherwise you have "tyranny of the majority".

  4. Re:democracy by rev0lt · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So, why the US - that have the 1st amendment, have only 2 major politic forces? Are you saying the majority of the americans agree with the bullshit from either side? Why do you see much more plurality on the governments of european countries? Free speech means nothing if you don't have free press (you don't), when you have censorship (you have, both on books and music), and when the politicians from either side defend corporate interests and not the citizens (you call it a legitimate profession - lobbyist - in EU is almost a criminal activity). So what's left? Either free speech is not required for a democracy, or the USA aren't a democracy. Pick your poison.