BANGKOK (Reuters) – Facebook blocked access within Thailand to a group with 1 million members that has criticised the country’s king, but said it was planning a legal challenge to the government’s demand that it block the group. FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed Facebook logo is seen on a keyboard in this illustration taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo The move comes amid near daily youth-led protests against the government led by the former military junta chief and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy. The “Royalist Marketplace” group was created in April by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and critic of the monarchy. On Monday night, the group’s page brought up a message: “Access to this group has been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.” Pavin, who lives in Japan, said Facebook had bowed to the military-dominated government’s pressure. “Our group is part of a democratisation process, it is a space for freedom of expression,” Pavin told Reuters. “By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand.” Pavin’s new group of the same name already had over 455,000 members on… Read full this story
- Ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt says ministers SHOULD publish SAGE scientific advice as pressure grows on Downing Street over coronavirus blame game with advisors
- Fury as Justice Secretary Robert Buckland admits Government 'CHOSE' not to test care homes for coronavirus
- Thai king takes his harem for a ride: Monarch and some of his 20-strong female entourage are spotted cycling near German hotel where he has converted entire floor into 'pleasure palace'
- California Gov. Newsom tells Californians they can still 'watch the sunset' amid fury at him for reshutting beaches
- Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook is in a fake news 'arms race' against Russia, Iran and China as he bids to stop electoral interference and misinformation about coronavirus and 5G masts
- Advertising agency groups back Culture Secretary's call for brands not to block ads from appearing next to coronavirus coverage
- Business groups push Trump to keep skilled-worker visas amid pandemic
- Facebook Messenger Adds Safety Alerts—Even in Encrypted Chats
- Groups built on fossil fuel funding urge states to reopen amid pandemic
- 'Don't drag us into Cummings row': Slapdown for reporters after they accuse Boris Johnson of blocking them asking government science advisors Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance about PM's aide
Facebook blocks group critical of Thai monarchy amid government pressure have 395 words, post on www.reuters.com at August 24, 2020. This is cached page on wBlogs. If you want remove this page, please contact us.