Thailand’s Strict Digital Mourning Rules

After over 70 years of ruling Thailand as monarch, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on Thursday, sending the country into a year-long (yes, an entire year) period of mourning, beginning with an outpouring of customary grief. Citizens are expected to dress in black and white, refrain from drinking, and abide by the government-mandated cancellation of all forms of entertainment like athletics events. In the digital age, there are some new aspects that have been added to this traditional somber period.

Television channels are tasked with running coverage of Adulyadej’s life and death until further notice, and newer forms of digital media are taking it upon themselves to similarly pay respects. Facebook has temporarily ceased showing advertisements to residents of Thailand as a mark of respect, something the Washington Post states is reflective of the widespread use of the social platform within the country. Approximately 37 million people in Thailand use Facebook, primarily on mobile, and its population is reportedly especially receptive to ads. Apple Thailand is also participating in the mourning period, adopting a monochrome homepage design. Yet while these sites are voluntarily making changes to their online presences, private citizens are facing a little more pressure.

According to Reuters, the country’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has urged internet providers to report “inappropriate content” during this period, something the three main companies responded to by putting out detailed instructions teaching citizens how to make reports on Facebook and YouTube. A reporting hotline has also been set up, and police are said to be monitoring the content of these social networks more heavily.

“Many heartbroken Thais are quite sensitive. When they see illegal content that offends them, they’ll be more stressed,” the nation’s information ministry spokesman told the news agency. “We have to let them know about channels to report content to relieve their sense of helplessness.”

A kind of trickle-down effect could be observed, with Thailand’s Public Broadcasting Service also posting a video detailing ways to share abusive content with government authorities.

กสทช. ขอความร่วมมือประชาชนที่ใช้โซเชียลมีเดีย พบข้อความไม่เหมาะสม ให้แจ้งข้อมูลเพื่อให้เจ้าหน้าที่ตรวจสอบ #ThaiPBS pic.twitter.com/WUoHpXwIaG

— ThaiPBS (@ThaiPBS) October 17, 2016

While these instructions have been handed down with the supposed purpose of keeping order among a mourning public, many feel there’s more to it. One source from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, speaking with an English language newspaper in Thailand on the condition of anonymity, said the instructions put out by the government and other sources “will foster an even more oppressive atmosphere of fear…[encouraging] people to be suspicious of each other online.”

The nation is well known for its internet monitoring and intensive social surveillance practices. Privacy International, a London-based nonprofit, recently detailed a report showing how the Thai government’s influence over its populace following periods of military coups and political uncertainty has “fomented a climate where citizens feel justified in policing each other.” While government representatives maintain that the practice doesn’t constitute spying, it’s a gravely serious issue. After a loyalist group filed a complaint against a Facebook user for badmouthing Thai royalty, the single mother responsible for the posts was sentenced to 56 years in jail, reduced to 28 years by plea.

Thailand’s crimes of “lese majeste” (in violation of the crown), have been in place since 1908, though they have since been strengthened, seemingly aided by technological advancements and the digital trails they leave behind. Five years ago, a Thai grandfather was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sending text messages that would be offensive to the queen, and a cleaning lady recently faced trial for simply posting “I see” on Facebook in an exchange between herself and a political activist in regard to the monarchy.