Surfing under the Influence

This week, Thailand Prime Minister Dr. Thaksin has announced that he will be proposing a series of new bills to the Thai parliament,

regarding curbing what is seen by him as ’immoral activities’ in modern Thai culture.

A rise in teenage pregnancies, something the whole world is experiencing, has been the latest motivation for the Thai government.

Research has shown that teenagers are increasingly using the internet to find consenting partners for so—called ’immoral activities’ such as sex and drug misuse.

The new bill proposes to make it illegal to use the internet while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Dr. Thaksin led the way by mentioning that he has banned his own daughter from using the internet after she has a glass of wine in the evening. The Prime Minister didn’t go into detail.

Critics have voiced concerns over the way general policy making is now heading in Thailand. NGO’s (non government organisations) have appealed to the Human Rights act, claiming that if Thailand attempts to monitor internet activity in an effort to police such laws, they would break individuals’ rights.

The Thai government also wishes to see tighter restrictions on the use of chat rooms by teenagers. Quite how they plan to go about doing this is as yet, undeclared. Bangkok’s internet cafe culture is concerned over the ruling, worried that already dwindling numbers may be hit harder, further.

Updates this week

This week we’ve added a short guide to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We also take a closer look at the Southern Coast of Cambodia.

Laos has an old world charm to it that is so difficult to put into words. The sleepy capital of Laos is reviewed in our bite-sized article on Vientiane in One Day. For those who like to dig a little deeper, we compliment this article with the Early History of Laos.

Has the media done Thailand any favours now that the Tsunami isn't producing horrific picutres for the papers? We do our best with a look at Thailand Post Tsunami.

A Glimpse of Old Hanoi gives you exactly that - and what a place it is. The week that was finishes with a look up to the Mountains of Northwest Vietnam, for you more adventurous types.

Have a good week.