Clampdown planned on pornographic media and publications

BANGKOK, May 6 (TNA) - Rampant pornography materials available on Thailand's local market has prompted the Ministry of Culture to cooperate with police more closely in suppressing them, said a senior ministry official.

Permanent Secretary for Culture Vira Rojpojchanarat said several complaints regarding entertainment magazines showing pictures of near pornography which could arouse sexual sentiment had been lodged with him in the past.

These pictures could lure youngsters to copy, according to Mr. Vira, adding that he had raised the issue with Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Wongkot Maneerin on ways to suppress pornographic media and whether they had violated the printing law of BE 2484 (1941).

A ministry committee met recently to discuss seven types of media which could violate the law, including print media, the Internet, radio, television, TV materials, motion pictures and mobile phone applications, all of which offer opportunities to distribute materials which could be sexually suggestive.

Violations of the media-related media could face a maximum imprisonment of three years and a fine of Bt6,000.

TNA