Friday, May 11, 2007
Thailand Going Down, Vietnam Going Up?
Thailand's National Legislative Assembly approved a controversial law this week which could seriously effect how Thailand's internet users use the web. The main effect of the bill is to outlaw any attempt at bypassing government censors to access any of the thousands of sites that have been censored due to their moral or political purposes.
This single law could put Thailand in the same category as China and Burma with regards to censorship and the lack of a democratic right for free speech.
YouTube is just one of the thousands of "forbidden" sites. There is an online petition where one can register one's disgust at this proposed action. (The comments field there also contains links to other similar petitions.)
At the same time, this report (found via noodlepie) suggests that things are opening up in Vietnam:
Vietnam will permit foreigners working in the country to buy houses, local newspaper Youth reported Tuesday.
Under the scheme compiled by the Construction Ministry and submitted to the government for approval, those eligible for house purchases include people who directly come to Vietnam for investment or make contributions to the country and receive medals, or scientists who are bestowed Vietnamese academic titles and degrees, experts in socio-economic fields, highly-skilled workers, and persons who get married to Vietnamese citizens.
To buy houses in Vietnam, the people must meet three criteria: they are working and living in the country, they have entered Vietnam and been permitted to reside in the country for at least one year, and they will buy houses for accommodation for themselves and their family members.
Sure, they have a long way to go in a lot of different areas but this is a positive step forward IMHO.
