Thailand’s state communication board has asked internet service providers to set up 24/7 monitoring centres to search for “inappropriate content” across all social media platforms including Youtube, Facebook, Line and Twitter.

On 14 October 2016, Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBCT), said that the commission has sent an order to all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Thailand.

The order asked ISPs to monitor “inappropriate content” on their channels and remove it as soon as possible. The order also asked web-administrators of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Line to comply with the regulation.

Any ISPs that fail comply with the order will be prosecuted.

“If any internet service provider does not comply with the order, which is a breach of the law, they will be seriously prosecuted by the NBCT,” said Takorn.

The NBCT order also urged ISPs to establish 24/7 centres for online monitoring. Centres will screen for so-called “inappropriate content” and report it to the NBCT or Technology Crime Suppression Division for further prosecution.

This order is a part of Thailand’s month-long mourning of King Bhumibol’s death.

* “Thailand to monitor social media 24/7 in mourning of King’s death”. Prachatai. Sat, 15/10/2016 - 23:06:
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6655

 Justice Minister supports vigilantism against lèse-majesté

18 Oct 2016

Thailand’s Justice Minister has said vigilantism is the best way to protect the monarchy, adding Thais should do the same with lèse-majesté committers living abroad. Meanwhile, the junta has urged people to use legal process rather than violence.

On 18 October 2016, Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya was asked by media for his opinion on the case of vigilantism against a lèse-majesté soy milk seller in Phuket that occurred three days earlier. The Minister replied nothing is better than vigilantism and also encouraged Thais in other countries to do the same with lèse-majesté committers living abroad, reported Matichon Online.

The Minister said that he will make a full effort to prosecute lèse-majesté committers staying abroad, despite the fact that Thailand’s lèse-majesté law does not apply in other countries.

“We’re always working but other countries’ law are the obstacle. I’ve always been concerned about the issue but the problem is that they (the lèse-majesté committers) move abroad. And in terms of law, we have to respect other countries’ sovereignty,” said Paiboon.

In a contrasting development, Matichon Online reported that the junta’s spokesperson Piyapong Klinphan has urged the public not to assault lèse-majesté committers but to strictly follow the legal process instead.

According to the spokesperson, the junta has urged authorities to approach crime scenes and remove the suspect out of public as soon as possible. Piyapong added that the practice of forcing lèse-majesté committers to kneel before the King’s portrait in public is no longer be allowed.

Prachatai

 Ultra-royalist calls for lèse-majesté purge in Paris

18 Oct 2016

A hyper-royalist doctor has urged Thai people in Paris to hunt for a lèse-majesté refugee and those who shelter her.

On 16 October, Rienthong Nanna, chairman of the ultra-royalist vigilante group Rubbish Collection Organisation (RCO), posted on his Facebook account the address of Wanna, a Thai living in Paris. Rienthong alleged that Wanna is sheltering Saran Chuichai, also known as Aum Neko, a lèse-majesté suspect who is currently in exile in France.

“Very urgent. To all Thai people in France, please check whether there is a Thai named Wanna sheltering Aum Neko or not. Please check at the address,” read Rienthong’s post. “After checking, please contact me directly at info mongkutwattana.co.th or post in the comments.”

Saran left Thailand in exile after the 2014 coup and fled to France. She had been charged with Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse-majesté law, for expressing her radical opinions against the monarchy online.

Right after King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death on 13 October, Saran broadcasted radical comments, which were deemed full of hate speech, through Facebook live. Her live broadcast has triggered public outrage that can be seen from those who comment on Rienthong’s Facebook post.

“Execute her, a red shirts who always insults the Monarchy of all Thai people,” read a comment.

“I think we should hire a gangster to deal with them. Offer him good pay. And after they finish their job, let them fly to Thailand and hide until the lawsuit expires,” read another comment.

“Can you show me the face of her parents? I want to see their faces. How did they raise a child to become this evil?” read a third comment.

Prachatai

http://prachatai.org/english/node/6658