Anti-junta rappers face charges under Computer Crimes Act

Pol Colonel Siriwat Deepor

Pol Colonel Siriwat Deepor, the deputy spokesman of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), yesterday said police had already been ordered to identify the rappers and explore the option of pressing charges.
Police believe the rappers’ actions could have violated the Computer Crimes Act, which prohibits computer information inconsistent with the truth, undermines national security or causes public panic, he said.
The song’s content had defamed the country, the deputy spokesman said, adding that it could impact the economy and lead to loss of confidence among investors.
The rappers would be summoned, Siriwat said. Police said they would expedite the legal process because the song had a negative impact on the country.
The music video “My Country’s Got…” by RAD was uploaded to YouTube on Monday.
The video shows different rappers rap about social and political issues, especially those surrounding military coups. The backdrop in the video shows a historic scene from the massacre on October 6, 1976.
The video has garnered almost 2 million views so far, with more than one hundred thousand likes.
The hashtag #MyCountrysGot has also gone viral, with people discussing issues facing the country.

Government spokesman Puttipong Punnakanta
While a large number of netizens were touched deeply by the song, Government Spokesman Puttipong Punnakanta yesterday expressed his disappointment with the video. He questioned whether any groups were behind RAD to produce this controversial song.