Thailand has approved a $13 million budget to tap into websites with content related to lese majesty (an offense that violates the dignity of a ruler), or information that is critical or insulting to the country’s monarchy, reported the Bangkok Post.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said his committee has been tasked with purchasing equipment that would “be used to obtain communications network data” that could be used as evidence, the Post said. He was also tasked with blocking websites that are critical of the king.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej is highly revered in Thailand and many locals consider him semi-divine.
Last Thursday, Thai-born American Joe Gordon, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for using the Internet to spread information against the king. Gordon, 55, posted the information on his blog site from Colorado.
The United Nations last week, following Thailand’s decision to jail Gordon, expressed concern over the laws that prohibit insulting the monarchy.
“Such harsh criminal sanctions are neither necessary nor proportionate and violate Thai human rights obligations,” said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson with the U.N.
