Deputy army spokesperson Col Sirichan Ngathong said that Army Chief General Chalermchai Sittisat, in his capacity as secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order, had instructed security officials after the NCPO meeting yesterday.
They were told to swiftly convey correct information via every available mode of communication to counter false information and rumours spread on social media over recent days.
He also told them to strictly enforce laws against wrongdoers and bring them to justice.
The Royal Police also vowed to take similar action to suppress the spread of social media rumours and false information.
“We insist that inappropriate online commentators are prosecuted if found,” said acting deputy police chief Pol General Dechnarong Sutthicharnbancha. “Everyone must know their roles during this moment.”
Overseas commentators are also being monitored. Minister in the PM’s Office Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said the government had noted six social media users who live abroad making inappropriate comments online. The government would use intelligence and security agencies to deal with them, said Suwaphan, who is also a secretary to the command centre monitoring the situation.
The move follows a diverse range of comments shared online after the King’s death. While many posts by Thai people paid great respect to the King, some aroused public anger over critical or provocative comments about the monarchy.
Suwaphan said he had received reports of online lese majeste violations in three southern provinces, including Phuket and Surat Thani, and asked provincial governors to “fix misunderstandings” among people with different views. The violators were reported to have stirred up anger among other residents who had gathered and were about to become violent.
“We don’t know what the violators’ intention really is. But their acts are deemed wrong and inappropriate,” the minister said. “We would like everything to pass smoothly during this period of time.”
Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam on Friday also asked people to listen to news and updates from the government and to stop spreading rumours.