Facebook has restricted access within Thailand to a group with 1 million members that discusses the country's monarchy, following a legal threat from the Thai government. The 'Royalist Marketplace' group, created in April by self-exiled academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun, now displays a message stating access has been blocked pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.
Facebook said it plans to legally challenge the demand, calling it 'severe' and a contravention of international human rights law. The company warned that such actions undermine its ability to invest in Thailand, including maintaining an office and safeguarding employees. The move comes amid pro-democracy rallies in Thailand, with some protesters calling for monarchy reform.
Thailand has some of the strictest lese-majesty laws globally, with defamation of the king punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Pavin described the group as a space for Thais to discuss the monarchy's impact on their lives and urged Facebook to defend freedom of expression. Human Rights Watch's John Sifton said Facebook should fight the demands in every possible forum.
Thailand's digital minister had given Facebook 15 days to comply with court takedown orders or face charges under the Computer Crime Act, which carries fines of up to 200,000 baht plus daily penalties. The ministry's spokesman said Facebook cooperated as it understood Thai society. Separately, the ministry filed a cybercrime complaint against Pavin for creating the group.
