The Defence Minister has ordered all military units to monitor and subdue any subversive actions against the monarchy in cyber space and at political rallies. But months before this order, Provincial Army ROTC Training Centre 33, based in Chiang Mai, had already had high school students vow their loyalty on YouTube, and recently set up a web service for any citizen to report offensive websites.
On 15 Jan, Col Thanathip Sawangsang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, said that Defence Minister Gen Pravit Wongsuwan, former Army Chief and member of 19 Sept 2006 junta, ordered all military units to carry out their duty to protect the monarchy as the top priority in their annual plans. All commanders must employ all their resources to monitor and suppress any offences against the monarchy, and work with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to block websites and prosecute those who are responsible.
Military personnel have to monitor public rallies, and coordinate with police on any offences, the army spokesperson said.
The Defence Minister also ordered military forces to conduct activities to celebrate the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday on 5 Dec 2011, including activities involving youth in reverence of the monarchy, royally-initiated development projects in watershed areas, the 8,400-rai tree-planting project in honour of the King, special lectures on the dissemination of information about Royal Projects, the United People Project on the occasion of His Majesty’s 84th year, etc.
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