The around 30 million social media users across Thailand could not access Facebook from 3pm to 3:30pm local time (10am-10:30am in Italy), creating panic. Access was limited also to other popular networks such as Twitter, Instagram, Line and Tumblr. Anonymous sources of telecommunications firms indicated that they received orders to close down Facebook, which was a feared measure that the military junta could adopt to control information circulating in the nation.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) permanent secretary Surachai Srisarakam said he had received an order from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to temporarily deny access to Facebook, after anti-coup movements were spreading on social media.
Surachai admitted that his ministry “will ask Facebook, Line, YouTube and other social network operators to cooperate with Thai authorities by deactivating some accounts with illegal content”.
A request denied by NCPO deputy spokesman Nathawat Chancharoen, who in a TV address announcing an end to the suspension of the social media giant, stating that “there’s no need for the NCPO to block Facebook. And even if we wanted to, we would have to make an announcement first”. At least 220 websites have been blocked on orders of the military junta, including foreign media.
The NCPO also confirmed that the former premier Yingluck Shinawatra, whose release after a brief detention in military custory was announced yesterday, is not under hours arrest and can circulate freely. Howerver, her home in Bangkok, as also thse of other officials potentially contrary to the junta detained and released since May 23, are under tight military control.
Confirmation arrived this afternoon also of the release of the leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship ( UDD), known also as Red Shirts, Jatuporn Prompan. Also released, though under military surveillance, Nuttawut Saikuar, Pracha Promnog, Virakarn Musigapong, Weng Tojirakarn and Thida Tavonseth.
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