March 18, 2007
Thailand's Culture Brigade is on the ringtone lookout
According to the Bangkok Post, a department under the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, whose mission is to 'protect the nation's culture and values through the process of surveillance,' is on the lookout for everything from inappropriate ringtones to promiscuously worn university uniforms.
"... While the Surveillance Centre has had its eye on culture and issues of national morality for a decade now, the office has taken on new importance to clean up the nation's morals.
According to its director, Ladda Thangsupachai, threats for cultural mutation are greater than ever these days because of globalisation, the growing presence of international media and cultural imports, and developments in technologies and communications.
Ladda says surveillance efforts are targetted to guard against four particular cultural offences: inappropriate representation of national or religious symbols, offensive language, violence, and sexual content."
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