Thai junta plans new military unit to curb online dissent

AFP, BANGKOK:  Thailand's junta Tuesday said it planned to create a new military unit to fight online dissent, as Internet freedom campaigners said they were training hundreds of volunteers for a "cyber war" against
censorship.The proposed unit follows controversial plans for a single access point to the Internet, dubbed by online protesters as the "Great Firewall of Thailand" -- in reference to China's draconian web surveillance -- because it would make it easier to monitor the web.
While Thai premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha has insisted no conclusions have been reached on the single gateway, the issue has mobilised campaigners.
On Tuesday defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters the military is planning to form a new unit to counter online dissent.
"It's to prevent new types of threats, it's a pre-emptive measure," he said, without elaborating on the nature of the threats or the remit of the new body.
The announcement comes at a time the regime has expressed mounting concerns over perceived royal defamation with prosecutions skyrocketing since the May 2014 military takeover.
Earlier Tuesday the "Citizens Against Single Gateway: Thailand Internet Firewall" vowed to launch unspecified attacks against the junta if the gateway plans were not cancelled.

 

Thai junta plans new military unit to curb online dissent

AFP, BANGKOK: Thailands junta Tuesday said it planned to create a new military unit to fight online dissent, as Internet freedom campaigners said they were training hundreds of volunteers for a cyber war against censorship.The proposed unit follows controversial plans for a single access point to the Internet, dubbed by online protesters as the Great Firewall of Thailand -- in reference to Chinas draconian web surveillance -- because it would make it easier to monitor the web. While Thai premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha has insisted no conclusions have been reached on the single gateway, the issue has mobilised campaigners. On Tuesday defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters the military is planning to form a new unit to counter online dissent. Its to prevent new types of threats, its a pre-emptive measure, he said, without elaborating on the nature of the threats or the remit of the new body. The announcement comes at a time the regime has expressed mounting concerns over perceived royal defamation with prosecutions skyrocketing since the May 2014 military takeover. Earlier Tuesday the Citizens Against Single Gateway: Thailand Internet Firewall vowed to launch unspecified attacks against the junta if the gateway plans were not cancelled.