Thailand’s state communication board has asked internet service providers to set up 24/7 monitoring centres to search for “inappropriate content” across all social media platforms including Youtube, Facebook, Line and Twitter.

On 14 October 2016, Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBCT), said that the commission has sent an order to all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Thailand.

The order asked ISPs to monitor “inappropriate content” on their channels and remove it as soon as possible. The order also asked web-administrators of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Line to comply with the regulation.

Any ISPs that fail comply with the order will be prosecuted.

“If any internet service provider does not comply with the order, which is a breach of the law, they will be seriously prosecuted by the NBCT,” said Takorn.

The NBCT order also urged ISPs to establish 24/7 centres for online monitoring. Centres will screen for so-called “inappropriate content” and report it to the NBCT or Technology Crime Suppression Division for further prosecution.

This order is a part of Thailand’s month-long mourning of King Bhumibol’s death.