BANGKOK // Police in Thailand have opened investigations of four people for allegedly causing panic by posting rumours of a possible military coup on Facebook - and an investigator threatened Monday to charge anyone who even "liked" the postings on the social media site.
The move comes as Bangkok braces for possible political protests this week coinciding with a bill related to a 2006 coup in the country. Opponents say the bill could pave the way for the return of the man that the military ousted in that takeover, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose sister leads the current elected government.
Technology Crime Suppression division chief Police Maj Gen Pisit Paoin said Monday that the four posted Facebook entries with false information that could damage the country. If found guilty, they could face up to five years in prison and a fine worth 100,000 baht (Dh11,753).
"These four have posted false messages about the coup and other messages that could lead to chaos in the society," Maj Gen Pisit told at a news conference. "The postings' content does not hold any truth, and if the words kept spreading around, it could damage to the country." He said the police have issued summons for them to meet investigators.
Among those summoned are Sermsuk Kasitipradit, the political editor of public television channel TPBS, and a local pro-government protest leader.
The posts mentioned a possibility of a military coup and urged the public to hoard food and water.
"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," Maj Gen Pisit added.
More than 1,000 anti-government protesters kicked off a rally in Bangkok on Sunday as MPs were scheduled to deliberate on the controversial bill tomorrow.
Last week, the government invoked the Internal Security Act in three Bangkok districts, citing the possibility of protest violence. The act, in effect from August -10, authorises officials to seal off roads, take action against security threats, impose curfews and ban the use of electronic devices in designated areas. Peaceful and unarmed rallies are allowed under the law.
Opponents of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government feared the bill, which would grant amnesty to people arrested for political activities since the 2006 military coup, could pave the way for the return of her brother Thaksin.
