Itthiporn Boonprakong, chairman of the Election Commission, says there's no hint that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is doing anything illegal with his social media blitz. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb)

The Election Commission (EC) has insisted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's newly pushed social media "campaign" is not electioneering, a move that flouts the regime's order at present.

Gen Prayut launched his personal Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages over the weekend. The move has been criticised as being politically motivated while political parties are still banned from using digital platforms for political campaigns.

EC chairman Itthiporn Boonprakong said Tuesday the premier's online campaign is not a vote-wooing attempt, but the EC has yet to thoroughly discuss it.

He said the poll agency is gathering information related to the activities of political parties and elections and is obligated to inform parties if they commit any violations.

"If political parties fail to comply with the laws, the EC will take action," he said.

They will examine political actions to determine whether those actions have any potential impact on the upcoming poll, he said. They will not do anything about actions that are not viewed as having an impact on the election, said Mr Itthiporn.

The EC is gathering information about political activities, including reports that cabinet ministers of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPP) will make a field trip, the EC chairman said.

Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana, Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee, Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and PM's Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool are now at the helm of the PPP, which is believed to support Gen Prayut's return as prime minister after the poll, expected to take place in four months.

They can participate in political activities if they do not use state manpower or utilise normal office hours to do so, said Mr Itthiporn.

The organic law on the EC, he said, stipulates that the poll regulator has the authority to ensure the poll will be free, fair and compliant with the law.

He said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) also has its scope on the dos and don'ts of political activities.

Asked about concerns over the difference of political activity prohibitions set out by the EC and the NCPO, Mr Itthiporn said the NCPO's order is also a law. The order defines what political activities can or cannot be done, he said.

The EC chairman stressed his organisation is not trying to curry favour with anyone, adding those who flout the laws will be found out.

Speaking after Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut said he has to get used to using the social media accounts, which are garnering more followers.

"I found both praise and criticism when I logged onto them [social media accounts]," said Gen Prayut.

In a tweet late on Tuesday, the premier declared that he opened social media accounts including Twitter "so everyone can have a chance to see what I can do".

"I want to create platforms where people can voice criticism or praise. Anything found to be useful will be taken into account and used in a suitable manner," said the prime minister.

He called the social media accounts another channel of communication with people, adding he has to be open to criticism.

"The only thing I want to ask for is politeness. Sometimes impolite words are used, especially among younger people and this is not appropriate."

The premier said he would examine whether submitted criticisms have any basis and, if so, he is ready to fix matters.

He also urged people to press the "like button" on his pages and to leave suggestions.

As of last night, Gen Prayut's personal Facebook page had already drawn around 177,000 likes.

He said he is ready to respond to messages himself if he can, but the prime minister's deputy secretary-general Buddhipongse Punnakanta will be responsible for following up on his accounts and keeping him updated about it every three or five days. "I will mostly write messages, which will be put into the system by others," Gen Prayut said.

Referring to negative messages on Gen Prayut's social media platforms, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said they are receiving both positive and unfavourable comments.

Gen Prawit said Gen Prayut read through all of the messages himself, and "This is a good thing because he will now be aware of the feedback about him and his cabinet."

He insisted he would not open social media accounts like the premier has because Gen Prayut's pages provide enough of a platform to receive complaints from people.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Gen Prayut also urged cabinet ministers to look through messages posted on his pages so they could hear problems and find ways to address them.

The prime minister also told cabinet members not to be disheartened by criticism, the spokesman said.

Responding to criticism that the premier's social media campaign is aimed at courting support ahead of the poll, Lt Gen Sansern said, "Gen Prayut realised that he wants to be open to feedback and make sure that people can reach out to him. Whether he starts today or tomorrow, this is the first step to communicate with the people."