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.
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 Tuesday.
Facebook said on Tuesday it was planning to legally challenge the Thai government after being "compelled" to block access to the group.
"Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," a Facebook spokesperson said.
"We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request."
Thailand's lese majeste laws, which forbid defaming the king, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, is often the basis for such requests to block or remove content on social media platforms.
Earlier this month, Thailand's digital minister accused Facebook of not complying with requests to restrict content, including insults to the monarchy.
On Aug. 10, he gave Facebook 15 days to comply with court takedown orders or face charges under the local Computer Crime Act, which carries a fine of up to 200,000 baht ($6,367.40) and an additional 5,000 baht ($159.18) per day until each order is observed.
Digital ministry spokesman Putchapong Nodthaisong said on Monday that Facebook cooperated before the deadline because it understood the context of Thai society.
Putchapong did not comment on Facebook's plan for legal action when asked by Reuters on Tuesday.
The ministry last week filed a separate cybercrime complaint against Pavin for creating the group.
Reuters
Tue Aug 25 2020
![Facebook blocks group critical of Thai monarchy amid government pressure Facebook blocks group critical of Thai monarchy amid government pressure](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-08/81598352627_Facebooklogo.jpg)
A 3D printed Facebook logo is placed between small toy people figures in front of a keyboard in this illustration taken April 12, 2020. REUTERSpic
![Man United tewas kelab kerdil, Ten Hag 'naik angin' Man United tewas kelab kerdil, Ten Hag 'naik angin'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721094442_ManchesterUnited.jpg)
Man United tewas kelab kerdil, Ten Hag 'naik angin'
Perlawanan itu seri tanpa jaringan menuju ke masa kecederaan sebelum Noah Holm menemui jaringan dengan berbaki beberapa saat.
![Shaqiri umum bersara daripada bola sepak antarabangsa Shaqiri umum bersara daripada bola sepak antarabangsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721095061_XherdanShaqiri.jpg)
Shaqiri umum bersara daripada bola sepak antarabangsa
Shaqiri bermain hanya dua kali pada kejohanan Euro 2024 di Jerman, beraksi selama 71 minit untuk Switzerland.
![Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721093818_JoeBiden.jpg)
Tiada tempat untuk keganasan politik dalam demokrasi AS - Obama
Kenyataan Obama mengundang kecaman warganet terutamanya istilah 'keganasan politik' yang dikatakan menunjukkan sisi hipokrasi Washington.
![Guna EV di Felda, ladang Guna EV di Felda, ladang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721091183_GunaEVdiFeldala.jpg)
Guna EV di Felda, ladang
EV itu dijangka digunakan di Felda pada hujung tahun ini secara berperingkat bagi menggantikan kenderaan sedia ada.
AWANI Pagi: Berita tumpuan & menarik di astroawani.com [16 Julai 2024]
[LANGSUNG] Fokus #AWANIpagi 16 Julai 2024 7.30 pagi,
Antara fokus Awani Pagi bersama Afiezy Azaman & Azib Zikry
1. Perkembangan kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini
2. Waspada taktik penipuan gunakan teknologi AI, 'deepfake'
3. Pindaan Akta Antilompat Parti perlu dikaji secara teliti
Antara fokus Awani Pagi bersama Afiezy Azaman & Azib Zikry
1. Perkembangan kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini
2. Waspada taktik penipuan gunakan teknologi AI, 'deepfake'
3. Pindaan Akta Antilompat Parti perlu dikaji secara teliti
![Cadangan guru Bahasa Inggeris dari Singapura antara tumpuan Dewan Rakyat hari ini Cadangan guru Bahasa Inggeris dari Singapura antara tumpuan Dewan Rakyat hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/41633311024_parlimentmalaysia.jpg)
Cadangan guru Bahasa Inggeris dari Singapura antara tumpuan Dewan Rakyat hari ini
Kalam minta Menteri Pendidikan nyatakan perancangan khusus berhubung cadangan itu dan langkah memperkasa guru Bahasa Inggeris tempatan.
![Penyasaran subsidi bukan untuk menyusahkan rakyat - Rafizi Penyasaran subsidi bukan untuk menyusahkan rakyat - Rafizi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721091161_subsidi.jpg)
Penyasaran subsidi bukan untuk menyusahkan rakyat - Rafizi
Rafizi mengakui jika penyasaran subsidi tidak dibuat segera kadar unjuran ekonomi negara akan menjadi lebih teruk.
![Usah tertipu tawaran kontrak bekalan makanan di balai bomba Usah tertipu tawaran kontrak bekalan makanan di balai bomba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721091171_scammer.jpg)
Usah tertipu tawaran kontrak bekalan makanan di balai bomba
JBPM Johor menerima beberapa laporan daripada pengusaha makanan mengenai penipuan tawaran tersebut.
![Kerajaan jimat RM10.5 bilion tenaga kumulatif dalam Pelan Tindakan Kecekapan Tenaga Negara - PETRA Kerajaan jimat RM10.5 bilion tenaga kumulatif dalam Pelan Tindakan Kecekapan Tenaga Negara - PETRA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713155982_KementerianPeraliha.jpg)
Kerajaan jimat RM10.5 bilion tenaga kumulatif dalam Pelan Tindakan Kecekapan Tenaga Negara - PETRA
Sehingga Dis 2023, kadar penjimatan tenaga tahunan yang dicapai adalah 5.9 peratus atau 8,667 GWj, bernilai lebih daripada RM2.1 bilion.
![Konvensyen Dunia Fujian Ke-11 bakal lonjak pertumbuhan dagang, pelaburan dengan negara luar Konvensyen Dunia Fujian Ke-11 bakal lonjak pertumbuhan dagang, pelaburan dengan negara luar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721052525_Fujianconvention.jpg)
Konvensyen Dunia Fujian Ke-11 bakal lonjak pertumbuhan dagang, pelaburan dengan negara luar
Penganjuran Konvensyen Dunia Fujian Ke-11 akan meningkatkan pemahaman pertukaran budaya dalam kalangan masyarakat Fujian dari luar negara.
![COVID-19: Over 100 individuals in Penang undergo test COVID-19: Over 100 individuals in Penang undergo test](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-08/61596274626_lab.jpg)
COVID-19: Over 100 individuals in Penang undergo test
Most of them were tested negative for the disease while others are still waiting for the results, Penang Chief Minister said.
![Pusat dobi layan diri tidak dibenarkan beroperasi Pusat dobi layan diri tidak dibenarkan beroperasi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-03/41584500636_dobi.jpg)
Pusat dobi layan diri tidak dibenarkan beroperasi
Turut tidak dibenarkan beroperasi, pasar malam dan pasar tani sepanjang Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan bagi mengelakkan orang ramai berkumpul
![Do postponements cause delays in the Courts? Do postponements cause delays in the Courts?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/61550614637_IstanaKehakiman.jpg)
Do postponements cause delays in the Courts?
Cases may often be postponed or otherwise delayed for various reasons. The truth of the matter is that these delays may be necessary due to the Rule of law and due process.
![Guilty until proven innocent; a devastatingly prevalent myth Guilty until proven innocent; a devastatingly prevalent myth](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-07/71437905385_gavelshh.jpg)
Guilty until proven innocent; a devastatingly prevalent myth
While it is natural for us to be presumptuous, to place our version of the truth ahead of the law's is just purely juvenile. Lawyer Alan Razak writes.
![I feel guilty, I want to see Imam, kata lelaki yang tampar Imam I feel guilty, I want to see Imam, kata lelaki yang tampar Imam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-09/81443606748_SHABIRAHMADKHAN.jpg)
"I feel guilty, I want to see Imam," kata lelaki yang tampar Imam
Demikian kata-kata Shabir Ahmad Khan, 31, lelaki warganegara India yang menampar imam Masjid Negara semasa solat Jumaat di masjid itu dua minggu lalu.
![Mahkamah benarkan wanita batal saman bekas kekasih Bosnia Mahkamah benarkan wanita batal saman bekas kekasih Bosnia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-12/51388488766_295x200.jpg)
Mahkamah benarkan wanita batal saman bekas kekasih Bosnia
Hakim Timothy Finlayson Joel dalam keputusannya turut menolak tuntutan balas oleh Chung Shun Yee, 29, terhadap Ervin Ahbabovic, 41.