Thai Police Bust Adult Website Owners

[AllanahStarrNYC]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

[Kriss]

:popcorn

[SarahG]

That's messed up.

[peggygee]

Could be related to this. The Thais are pretty mellow people, but in the
LOS, farangs dissing the King is a no-no.

LESE MAJESTE http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/thailan_Hz.gif
YouTube ban to remain in effect for now

Blockage of popular video website won't end until still image is removed: minister

BANGKOK: -- The blockage imposed on the YouTube website in Thailand will continue until a particular still image from a contentious video clip regarded as lese-majeste is also removed from the website, Information and Com-munications Technology (ICT) Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said yesterday.

He said the earlier removal of the 44-second film clip containing the content from the US-based website was not enough.

"We also want that picture removed before we unblock YouTube," he added.

The ministry earlier said it would impose the blockade indefinitely until other measures were adopted or YouTube decided to remove the lese-majeste video clip without conditions.

Next Monday, police and the ministry will work out issues to deal with such a case in the future.

Sitthichai said he was "dismayed" and complained bitterly when Google Inc, which owns YouTube, refused to remove the content, citing that it still kept material mocking US President George W Bush far more harshly than what was deemed inappropriate against His Majesty the King.

Sitthichai added that YouTube insisted it would still keep the clip.

"YouTube said it thought there was not enough reason to remove the clip after viewing the video and making its judgement on the content," he added.

He described the posting as "unacceptable" to all Thais.

"Thailand is a small country and has no negotiating power to get the content removed from YouTube. What we can do now is block the YouTube service locally, until the clip is removed," he added.

During the ICT Ministry-ordered blockade, any Internet service provider in Thailand found to be hosting websites containing content that insults His Majesty or the Royal Family or still leaves access to YouTube open to local users will have its operating licences revoked immediately.

The clip was later removed, not long after the blockade of YouTube began in Thailand on Tuesday night.

A message on the YouTube page where the clip was used said the 44-second video clip in Flash format was removed by the user - self-described as a US-based, 30-year old with the user name "Paddidda".

After posting the clip not long after March 25, when he or she registered to use the service, the user never logged into the page until yesterday evening, when the clip was removed, said a note posted yesterday on the YouTube page in question.

Associated Press explained how the content in the video clip violated lese-majeste law. The number of visitors accessing the YouTube page reached 66,553, before the clip was pulled.

In an e-mail statement on Wednesday night, YouTube spokeswoman Julie Supan said the company was "disappointed" its site had been blocked.

-- The Nation, AP 2007-04-06

[yodajazz]

One thing that I caught from the article is that they had the Buddah observable in all of their videos, according to the article. I can see that it would be offensive to a Bhuddist to have these on display during sex scenes. The makers probably just thought that they were adding authentic Thailand flavor to there scenes.

Bottom line is that there is a risk in the undertaking of business's and it helps to be sensititve to local issues.

[peggygee]

One thing that I caught from the article is that they had the Buddah observable in all of their videos, according to the article. I can see that it would be offensive to a Bhuddist to have these on display during sex scenes. The makers probably just thought that they were adding authentic Thailand flavor to there scenes.

Bottom line is that there is a risk in the undertaking of business's and it helps to be sensititve to local issues.

As a woman of color, my experiences in Southeast Asia, have been very
different.

I haven't gone there as a sex tourist, looking to get my freak on. As a
matter of fact wherever I travel I try to be very respectful of the local
customs, and to not be an 'ugly American'.

I realize that sex tourism brings a lot of money into Thailand. But the
Thais are a very proud and gracious people, and having a Buddha in
every corner during the filming strikes me as sacriligous and disrespectful.

Those on HA that only see the glossy photos of the models, may have no
concept of what's going on there. As a woman seeing all the horny
Americans, Europeans, Aussies chasing after the women through the Sois,
like drunken frat boys on spring break it's very sad.

At times like that I feel ashamed to be an American.

[johnie]

It looks like they didn't make their "protection" payment this month to the officials there and thats why they were picked up.

In a country with thousands of postitutes and tons of adult material being produced there, why did the authorities decide to all of a sudden arrest these people? There has to be more to the story than we know of.

I believe there are pornographers who visit this forum who work/have worked in Thailand. have they had any problems with police?

Also, we as americans forget about our right to freedom of speech. Most countries in europe don't even guarantee the right to freedom of speech. For example, in England it is illegal to deny the Jewish Holocaust. If you claim it never happened, you will get arrested. Also, in Germany, you can not name your child Hitler or Osama.

[insert_namehere]

It looks like they didn't make their "protection" payment this month to the officials there and thats why they were picked up.

In a country with thousands of postitutes and tons of adult material being produced there, why did the authorities decide to all of a sudden arrest these people? There has to be more to the story than we know of.

I believe there are pornographers who visit this forum who work/have worked in Thailand. have they had any problems with police?

That's sort of presumptuous. The concept of "squeeze" isn't necessarily a universal throughout Asia, and just like in the good ol' U.S. of A., a lot of times, things aren't acted upon because no-one's bitched about it yet.

A perfect example happened in the office building I work in. 7 story building with a bank on the first floor, architect offices, insurance, collections, lawyers, etc (your standard "professional" mix). Additionally, on the 5th floor there happened to be a company that we all suddenly discovered was shooting porn - in the office. They'd been in the building for 7 months and the only clue anyone had at first was that "oddly dressed" folks were loitering around the 5th floor hallways. If one of there "performers" hadn't decided to add income by trying to boost the large flat screen monitor at the reception desk of a law first next door, gotten busted and spilled some beans while being interviewed by the police, they'd probably STILL be in business.

Sometimes all it takes is a nosey neighbor.

[BeardedOne]

Sometimes all it takes is a nosey neighbor.

[ARMANIXXX]

One thing that I caught from the article is that they had the Buddah observable in all of their videos, according to the article. I can see that it would be offensive to a Bhuddist to have these on display during sex scenes. The makers probably just thought that they were adding authentic Thailand flavor to there scenes.

Bottom line is that there is a risk in the undertaking of business's and it helps to be sensititve to local issues.

As a woman of color, my experiences in Southeast Asia, have been very
different.

I haven't gone there as a sex tourist, looking to get my freak on. As a
matter of fact wherever I travel I try to be very respectful of the local
customs, and to not be an 'ugly American'.

I realize that sex tourism brings a lot of money into Thailand. But the
Thais are a very proud and gracious people, and having a Buddha in
every corner during the filming strikes me as sacriligous and disrespectful.

Those on HA that only see the glossy photos of the models, may have no
concept of what's going on there. As a woman seeing all the horny
Americans, Europeans, Aussies chasing after the women through the Sois,
like drunken frat boys on spring break it's very sad.

At times like that I feel ashamed to be an American.


__________________________________________________ ________________________





Quiet Peggy and pass the beer 8)

[mikey_stl]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

[SarahG]

Well, I shouldn't be too surprised now that I have thought about this thread longer.

Until the supreme court overturned sodomy bans it was illegal to give blowjobs in the state of texas...

I know some states have outlawed tattoos, so I suppose porn would be easy for oppressive regimes to go after... especially in the more religious fundamentalist areas (globally speaking). Thailand does have some islamic factions but I can't speak to the other dominate religions in that country.

[DJ_Asia]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Hey Mikey you spent alot of time in Thailand?? Shot alot of porn?Picked up quite a few underage hookers w/ Gary Glitter?

Why is it that people who have absolutely no idea what the fuck they are talking about,talk the most?

[johnie]

I don't know who was arrested, but I hope it's this guy so I never have to see him in any of those scenes again. Anyone agree?

[BeardedOne]

I don't know who was arrested, but I hope it's this guy so I never have to see him in any of those scenes again. Anyone agree?

OK, I admit to wanting Sasquatch to go down in this bust, but what are the details, really?

[peggygee]

Quiet Peggy and pass the beer 8)

I don't drink, but when you're at a Thai restaurant
having Pad Thai or Tom Yum Goong, try this beer.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/singha5x3.jpg

[GroobySteven]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Imbecile - there is probably as much underage prostitution goes on in Western Europe and the US as there is in Thailand - as well as sex slavery.
Have you even been out of the US? While I won't disagree that it may have been a bribe issue, don't think that other countries aren't trying to combat child abuse and sex slave trade.

seanchai

[GroobySteven]

Here's the details as I've been given.

Yes arrests were made in Pattaya which is notorious for criminal elements, both Thai, foreigners and the police.
The fact they had Buddha's in their photos is probably a good bit of media that the police give out - although the photographers should have known better that isn't likely the number one reason.
This outfit has shot a lot of non-tranny porn and just got into tranny porn - they're pretty hardcore and are blase about what they do instead of keeping a low profile.

The poster who claims that the US has more freedom of speach than Europe and Asia needs to get his head out of his arse. Just try making some threats against a certain individual and see where your freedoms get you - or how about burning a flag? If you come from the Greatest Country on Earth ... do us a favour, and stay there.

It was only a matter of time before someone got busted in Thailand and it's been a long time coming. In my opinion, they probably pissed off the wrong person. I've never had to pay a bribe in Asia (I have in Mexico) but it may be a case of this.

seanchai

[Phat]

I don't know who was arrested, but I hope it's this guy so I never have to see him in any of those scenes again. Anyone agree?

lol we can only hope

I don't understand why exactly they were shut down. Is the production of pronography illegal in thailand? If not, surely there are other production companies that have not been raided?

[GroobySteven]

I don't know who was arrested, but I hope it's this guy so I never have to see him in any of those scenes again. Anyone agree?

lol we can only hope

I don't understand why exactly they were shut down. Is the production of pronography illegal in thailand? If not, surely there are other production companies that have not been raided?

Pornography and prostitution are both illegal in Thailand.
I've yet to hear of other companies being raided.
seanchai

[DJ_Asia]

The poster who claims that the US has more freedom of speach than Europe and Asia needs to get his head out of his arse. Just try making some threats against a certain individual and see where your freedoms get you - or how about burning a flag? If you come from the Greatest Country on Earth ... do us a favour, and stay there.

seanchai

Thats not entirely true...

As of 2 minutes ago access to Youtube here in Thailand is still blocked...the entire site,because of a video depicting the King of Thailand with clown faces imposed over his face.

Defacing images of the king is punishable by a massive jail time as an Aussie expat found out recently by getting 10 years in a Thai prison.
If America were to jail people or block websites everytime someone talked smack against GWB i'd venture to guess the internet would cease to exist

The video was removed days ago but access is still blocked.

[GroobySteven]

Brazil banned/blocked YouTube also.

It's all a matter of what side of the fence your on. Every country has some form of censorship going on. You can show nude 17 year old girls in many European countries but not in the US? How many states probably block certain advertisements for abortion clinics or contraceptive?

As I stated, burning your countries flag is not a crime in most countries - and laughable that it is a crime in the US, where freedom of speach is meant to be the best? Did they repeal that law and it went back in - or can you still do it?
seanchai

[zerrrr]

Brazil banned/blocked YouTube also.

It's all a matter of what side of the fence your on. Every country has some form of censorship going on. You can show nude 17 year old girls in many European countries but not in the US? How many states probably block certain advertisements for abortion clinics or contraceptive?

As I stated, burning your countries flag is not a crime in most countries - and laughable that it is a crime in the US, where freedom of speach is meant to be the best? Did they repeal that law and it went back in - or can you still do it?
seanchai

True. In the US there is censorship all around you but people here have been conditioned to not speak up against the government. I tried to explain to my mother tonight that Social Security is a lie and the trust fund is a sham. You should have heard the reaction I got from her.

You get the same whereever you go. I spent time in Dubai and for all the pious talk, all the bars are filled with hookers and there are Tranny clubs in Deira. All the 5 star hotels are filled on Thursday nights with muslims getting their freak on because Allah does not see them in 5 star hotels.

[mikey_stl]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Hey Mikey you spent alot of time in Thailand?? Shot alot of porn?Picked up quite a few underage hookers w/ Gary Glitter?

Why is it that people who have absolutely no idea what the fuck they are talking about,talk the most?

I have several friends who live in Thailand. As far as someone not knowing what they're talking about, Gary Glitter, for your information, lived in Vietnam, not Thailand, and was arrested there. Rather than just attacking someone, why not just get your facts straight and make whatever point you want to make?

[DJ_Asia]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Hey Mikey you spent alot of time in Thailand?? Shot alot of porn?Picked up quite a few underage hookers w/ Gary Glitter?

Why is it that people who have absolutely no idea what the fuck they are talking about,talk the most?

I have several friends who live in Thailand. As far as someone not knowing what they're talking about, Gary Glitter, for your information, lived in Vietnam, not Thailand, and was arrested there. Rather than just attacking someone, why not just get your facts straight and make whatever point you want to make?

I did.

I live in Thailand and dont need friends to pass along 2nd hand info.

Point was made.you dont know what youre talking anout.Next.

[mikey_stl]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Imbecile - there is probably as much underage prostitution goes on in Western Europe and the US as there is in Thailand - as well as sex slavery.
Have you even been out of the US? While I won't disagree that it may have been a bribe issue, don't think that other countries aren't trying to combat child abuse and sex slave trade.

seanchai

I never said that there wasn't underage prostitution and sex slavery in Western Europe or the U.S. I also didn't say that there weren't elements in Thailand trying to combat child abuse or the sex trade. But all you need to do is to search the Intenet, and you'll find plenty of different reliable sources corroborating that Thailand is a major center for such activities -- in fact, one of the world's leading centers. If I were going to try to find child prostitutes, I would certainly go to Thailand before I would go to New York, Paris, London, Rome -- and many other places (even though those places may have child prostitutes, it's a lot further underground). There may be a lot of other places just as bad as Thailand -- and perhaps a few even worse -- but that doesn't mean that Thailand isn't one of the world's leaders

[mikey_stl]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Hey Mikey you spent alot of time in Thailand?? Shot alot of porn?Picked up quite a few underage hookers w/ Gary Glitter?

Why is it that people who have absolutely no idea what the fuck they are talking about,talk the most?

I have several friends who live in Thailand. As far as someone not knowing what they're talking about, Gary Glitter, for your information, lived in Vietnam, not Thailand, and was arrested there. Rather than just attacking someone, why not just get your facts straight and make whatever point you want to make?

I did.

I live in Thailand and dont need friends to pass along 2nd hand info.

Point was made.you dont know what youre talking anout.Next.

Well, since you live in Thailand you're apt to be a little biased -- or maybe even overly-defensive on the child prostitution issue (I won't try to guess why). But since you live there, it's odd that you didn't know Gary Glitter was in Vietnam, not Thailand -- maybe you're not as knowledgable about the situation as you think.

[DJ_Asia]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Hey Mikey you spent alot of time in Thailand?? Shot alot of porn?Picked up quite a few underage hookers w/ Gary Glitter?

Why is it that people who have absolutely no idea what the fuck they are talking about,talk the most?

I have several friends who live in Thailand. As far as someone not knowing what they're talking about, Gary Glitter, for your information, lived in Vietnam, not Thailand, and was arrested there. Rather than just attacking someone, why not just get your facts straight and make whatever point you want to make?

I did.

I live in Thailand and dont need friends to pass along 2nd hand info.

Point was made.you dont know what youre talking anout.Next.

Well, since you live in Thailand you're apt to be a little biased -- or maybe even overly-defensive on the child prostitution issue (I won't try to guess why). But since you live there, it's odd that you didn't know Gary Glitter was in Vietnam, not Thailand -- maybe you're not as knowledgable about the situation as you think.

Im quite up to speed on things here in SE Asia....yes im well aware that Paul Gadd AKA Gary Glitter was busted in Viet Nam...he also spent time in Laos and Cambodia,all of which are bordering w/ Thailand.People in this region of the world cros these borders on a regular basis,but since you garner your info from friends or Google rather than experience you are ignorant to that fact.

Nor am I biased,as anyone who knows me on this board will tell you,I have a love/hate relationship w/ LOS,and since you dont know me you are hardly qualified to make presumptions as to my motives or line of thought.

No one is denying that such horrid acts as sex slavery and pedophilia exists here.Any country where poverty is the rule rather than the exception such things are bound to occur.

The problem is you boldly stated that Thailand "turns a blind eye" to it....and that Mr. St.Louis Mo. is utter horseshit

[lewdguppy]

not to state the obvious, but since no one mentioned it in the first place;
Thailand has been overrun by the military.

yes, Junta. military dictatorship. the generals disposed the elected officials. so you think it's strange this kind of thing happens?
always happens when dictators run the country; it's called distraction.
by aiming the media (and the people's minds!) at issues like war on drugs, war on porn, war on prostitution etc they can and do keep themselves out of the media.

and so it's not strange at all that the military throwover of one of the best known tourist destinations is virtually unknown.

how would "the west" react when for example the government of Japan would be overthrown by the generals?
people would go apeshit.

now it has happened i Thailand and we hear very little about it.

IMO the Thai should be wary. Myanmar is only next door and there's a perfect example of how bad repression can get when those guys aren't stopped.

[DJ_Asia]

not to state the obvious, but since no one mentioned it in the first place;
Thailand has been overrun by the military.

yes, Junta. military dictatorship. the generals disposed the elected officials. so you think it's strange this kind of thing happens?
always happens when dictators run the country; it's called distraction.
by aiming the media (and the people's minds!) at issues like war on drugs, war on porn, war on prostitution etc they can and do keep themselves out of the media.

and so it's not strange at all that the military throwover of one of the best known tourist destinations is virtually unknown.

how would "the west" react when for example the government of Japan would be overthrown by the generals?
people would go apeshit.

now it has happened i Thailand and we hear very little about it.

IMO the Thai should be wary. Myanmar is only next door and there's a perfect example of how bad repression can get when those guys aren't stopped.

Yeah you bring up some valid points.I was here for the coup in fact posted pix on this forum that i shot myself(use the search: thai coup)

The anti porn thing has been around long before Thaksin was unceromoniously ran outta the country by the military.However Thaksin had it coming,he was just this side of GWB when it came to being an inept leader and flagrant abuser of the Thai laws.

It is worth noting that there have been something like 9 coups in the past 20 years(dont quote me on exact figures) here too...so its nothing new to these people.and the reason you dont hear much about the situation frankly is cuz at the street level,zero has changed.The night the coup started,farangs were panicking in the hotels,meanwhile around the corner at NANA it was bizness as usual..."hey handsome man....where you go?"

Further its not unusual for the police to go out and make a bust during or near the important Thai holidays,and lo and behold...its Songkran Festival AKA Thai new years..so there ya go.

Im a bit sketchy as to what will happen when the good old king kicks the bucket.Im no expert on Thai politics but I know enough to understand the king is beloved and nobody is gonna pull a Burma/Myanmar while he is around....but once he's gone...who knows.

[mikey_stl]

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000002665#

It's odd that this would be illegal in Thailand, which turns a blind eye
to child prostitution, sex slavery, and just about anything else. They must
not have paid their bribe to the cops.

Hey Mikey you spent alot of time in Thailand?? Shot alot of porn?Picked up quite a few underage hookers w/ Gary Glitter?

Why is it that people who have absolutely no idea what the fuck they are talking about,talk the most?

I have several friends who live in Thailand. As far as someone not knowing what they're talking about, Gary Glitter, for your information, lived in Vietnam, not Thailand, and was arrested there. Rather than just attacking someone, why not just get your facts straight and make whatever point you want to make?

I did.

I live in Thailand and dont need friends to pass along 2nd hand info.

Point was made.you dont know what youre talking anout.Next.

Well, since you live in Thailand you're apt to be a little biased -- or maybe even overly-defensive on the child prostitution issue (I won't try to guess why). But since you live there, it's odd that you didn't know Gary Glitter was in Vietnam, not Thailand -- maybe you're not as knowledgable about the situation as you think.

Im quite up to speed on things here in SE Asia....yes im well aware that Paul Gadd AKA Gary Glitter was busted in Viet Nam...he also spent time in Laos and Cambodia,all of which are bordering w/ Thailand.People in this region of the world cros these borders on a regular basis,but since you garner your info from friends or Google rather than experience you are ignorant to that fact.

Nor am I biased,as anyone who knows me on this board will tell you,I have a love/hate relationship w/ LOS,and since you dont know me you are hardly qualified to make presumptions as to my motives or line of thought.

No one is denying that such horrid acts as sex slavery and pedophilia exists here.Any country where poverty is the rule rather than the exception such things are bound to occur.

The problem is you boldly stated that Thailand "turns a blind eye" to it....and that Mr. St.Louis Mo. is utter horseshit

I don't have to live some place to know something about it. I've travelled throughout the world -- just not to Thailand -- and I know pedophilia and sex slavery exists elsewhere. When I said that Thailand "turns a blind eye," I was using hyperbole -- i.e. an exaggeration not meant to be taken literally ... as you obviously did. My point was that it's odd that someone would be arrested in a porn producing bust in a country that's a leading hotbed of pedophilia and sex slavery. One doesn't need to live in Thailand or to know that, just as one doesn't need to live in Afghanistan or even go there to know that it's a Muslim country and that it's one of the biggest -- if not the biggest -- producers of opium.