Thailand Policies Affecting Disinformation

Legislation

In 2019, lawmakers also worked to strengthen the existing Computer Crimes Act in order to stop anti-government criticism.^[1] Arrests have been made against people accused of criticizing the government under this law.^[2]

Actions and Initiatives

In 2019, the Thai government started the "anti-fake news" center which surveys for online disinformation including disinformation that relates to the government as well as disinformation that affects “peace and order, good morals, and national security”.^[3] Rights groups fear that this center will be used to silence critics of the government.^[4]

On March 25th 2020, the Prime Minister of Thailand declared a state of emergency until April 30th which gave the government power to shutdown media outlets alleged with spreading false information.^[5]

See more:

National Policies Affecting Disinformation

[1] ttps://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-asia-fake-news-20190130-story.html

[2] ttps://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-46213536

[3] ttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-fakenews/thailand-unveils-anti-fake-news-center-to-police-the-internet-idUSKBN1XB48O

[4] ttps://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/thailands-anti-fake-news-center-fans-fears-censorship

[5] ttps://ipi.media/rush-to-pass-fake-news-laws-during-covid-19-intensifying-global-media-freedom-challenges/

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