Comments on: WordPress blocked in Thailand as well

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:55:08 +0000

There seems to be another problem with blogs getting blocked from Thailand. Any news on Blogspot getting banned by TOT or DTAC?

CJ: No, I haven’t heard anything about Blogspot being blocked, just WordPress. I did a Google search and checked with a few sites; I can’t find anything. It’s definitely blocked for you?

By: Mark Jochim

Mark Jochim — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:32:51 +0000

With Thailand’s new Cyber Law now in effect, using a proxy server can now land you in prison. (Full English translation here: http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=117) And yet, there are constant articles in the Thai press praising the current level of democracy in our country. It will be interesting to see if the censorship issue is addressed when we vote on the new constitution in December…

CJ: Well, I guess a proxy server is out then. No proxy is 100% anonymous in any event, but it’s an incredible situation Thailand is creating. If they’re saying we’ll allow you to use this website, but not that one, that’s little different to state-sponsored media.

If you have a friend overseas or with a different ISP, you could email them your blog posts and get them to post them for you. Other than that you might be stuck, which is a shame – it’s now that we need to hear the voices of Thai and Turkish bloggers more than ever.

By: Mark Jochim

Mark Jochim — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:03:09 +0000

Unfortunately, where I live in the center of Phuket, TOT is the only option I have for internet access (their service center is at the end of my soi — and yet, it still took almost three months after placing my request for ADSL before they got around to hooking it up). I originally set up my blog (http://baanjochim.wordpress.com) when MICT blocked the Blogger domain. I really don’t want to switch back (I like WordPress much more than Blogger). I could access my blog as recently as this morning but now there’s no access at all…

CJ: I’m very sorry to hear that, Mark. I think what’s happening in Thailand and Turkey is awful and should be decried by every person who values freedom. Particularly on 9/11.

If you can reach my blog and some others then it looks like not all of WP is blocked to you, at least not yet. To gain access to your blog, I’d recommend using TOR or a proxy server . It’s ridiculous that you’re in the position to have to use them, but at least they should be able to get you to your blog.

Other than that, only public pressure is going to change TOT’s decision. Hopefully you and others can raise your concerns and more people will find out. Otherwise I think it’s only going to get worse.

By: More bad news « Econstudentlog

More bad news « Econstudentlog — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:41:34 +0000

[...] More bad news The rulers of Thailand don’t want people to be able to read my blog. [...]

By: Irving

Irving — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:26:58 +0000

Censorship is the first act of dictatorship, and that is really worrying.

CJ: Too right, Irving. Couldn’t have said it better myself.