Prayut: Not playing your own judge on alleged insults to monarchy

Prime Minister Prayut wants people not to play their own judge on the street in matters concerning the royal family. Punishing perceived insults with violence is not the right way. The government should take legal action against those who break the law, he says.

"It is now important that we Thai unite," said government spokesman Sansern.

Prayut's call comes in response to several incidents in Phuket, Surat Thani, Phangnga, Bangkok and Chon Buri in which Thais were targeted for making offensive comments about the king on social media or in public, or speaking disrespectfully of him.

These are often Thai people with a mental disorder or mentally handicapped people. A woman and a boy were forced by an angry mob to kneel before a portrait of the king and apologize. The mentally handicapped boy was kicked hard in the face several times as he lay on the floor.

The government is monitoring 600 people suspected of posting offensive comments on social networks. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society warns against the application of the lèse majesté and the Computer Crime Act, which can mean many years in prison. According to Minister Prajin, 200 web pages are inappropriate, XNUMX have already been blocked.

Yesterday the government formed a team that will look for violations on the internet. According to Prajin, it takes two weeks to block a website and permission must first be obtained from the court.