Thailand threatens Facebook rumormongers

CRACKING DOWN. Thai police are investigating people spreading rumors about a possible coup on Facebook. Users who like the post may also be charged by the police.

MANILA, Philippines - Thai police are reportedly looking into 4 people, including a journalist, for "causing panic" through Facebook posts.

The Washington Post reports that police in Thailand are conducting the investigation after rumors of a possible military coup went on Facebook. Aside from the possibility of a coup, the posts told people to hoard food and water.

Bangkok is bracing for possible protests to in relation to a bill related to a 2006 military coup.

According to Technology Crime Suppression division chief Police Maj. Gen. Pisit Paoin, the 4 Facebook users apparently made entries with false information.

Pisit Paoin added, “Those who ‘liked’ and ‘shared’ the posts will also face charges, so we would like to ask the public to contemplate very carefully about the way they use social media."

Under the Computer Crime Act of 2007 (tentative translation here), circulating material deemed detrimental to national security is punishable with up to 5 years in prison and a 100,000 baht (US$3,200) fine.

Sermsuk Kasitipradit, political editor of public TV channel TPBS, was one of the 4 users mentioned in the report. He is also a local pro-government protest leader. - Rappler.com