Digital Economy Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta ordered authorities to discover “inappropriate” material and singled out 114 posts published mainly on Facebook but additionally on Twitter and YouTube which will violate the Computer Crimes Act.
“All evidence will likely be collected tomorrow and handed over to the court,” he wrote on Facebook late Tuesday evening. “Once the court issues its order, it will be communicated to the three platforms. If accounts are not closed or posts are deleted within 15 days, we will take immediate legal action.”
Facebook, Twitter and Google didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
Anon Chawalawan of iLaw Legal Advisors said the Thai government had asked Facebook to cooperate to remove the posts. However, up to now, legal actions have been aimed toward users fairly than the platform.
“Facebook is a service provider, so it can process government requests in accordance with international guidelines on content that is considered hate speech or incitement to violence,” Anon said.
“It may be that the level of political content is higher these days, so the government is threatening to take legal action against companies, although there may be repercussions in the form of regulations on multinational companies, for example.”
In Bangkok, young Thai protesters inspired by Hong Kong are demanding change but fear the backlash
In Bangkok, young Thai protesters inspired by Hong Kong are demanding change but fear the backlash
As a results of the protests, investor confidence in Thai capital markets has decreased over the following three months. Political turmoil has increased pressure on the federal government as policymakers struggle to revive the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic’s crippling tourism and consumption.
The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations said its July survey showed its investor confidence index fell to 85.26 from 101.19 within the previous month.
“The major reason was politics. For the primary time in months, political aspects have taken center stage and played a task in investment,” said chairman Paiboon Nalinthrangkurn.
Students in Thailand face prison as they demand more democracy and fewer power for the monarchy
Students in Thailand face prison as they demand more democracy and fewer power for the monarchy
Thailand’s share index has fallen 15 percent up to now this yr, with foreign investors dumping 231 billion baht of shares.
In a government shakeup, banking executive Predee Daochai was elected finance minister and tasked with pulling Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy out of crisis. The finance ministry expects the economy to contract by 8.5 percent this yr, although the federal government has introduced stimulus measures, including a 1.9 trillion baht package.
Additional reporting by Reuters
This article appeared within the print edition of the South China Morning Post as: Social media sites face motion over anti-monarchy posts
