While people may and should debate on the merit of the lese majeste law, outright verbal attacks online, especially those that are unsubstantiated have led to a feeling that the online virtual debating community is degenerating into verbal abuse and uncompromising dogmatism, both from the political left and right. These reckless and vicious contributors end up dissuading others who may otherwise wish to engage in a more cool-headed and rational debate, dialogue and deliberation. On the other hand, the risk of having the ICT Ministry monitor some political views is a potential hazard for some of the contributors and a damning verdict on the state of Thai democracy.

– Extracted from “Internet emerging as a new stage for public debate”, The Nation, 6 September 2009.