Bangkok: Those who like or share 18+ live streams will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Cyber police are urgently tracking down those who live-streamed 18+ content circulating on Facebook, vowing to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. The government is also taking the matter seriously, warning that those who disseminate, like, or share obscene videos face fines up to 100,000 baht, and encouraging the reporting of such content.
According to Thai News Agency, a controversy arose on social media after an 18+ sex video was live-streamed on Facebook, attracting over 30,000 viewers. This raised questions about the appropriateness of such an inappropriate live stream being allowed to circulate for several hours without being blocked or banned. The Facebook page CSI LA posted about this incident, raising suspicions that "Facebook's allowing 18+ live streams without filtering might be connected to the massive layoff of 8,000 employees two days prior."
The Metropolitan Police Investigation Bureau (IDMB) Facebook page posted a warning regarding this matter, highlighting the legal consequences of engaging with such content. A Thai news team spoke with Pol. Maj. Gen. Chachapandakarn Klaiklung, Deputy Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, who explained that the cyber police are investigating the location of the person who live-streamed the content. Despite the video and account being deleted, authorities can trace the content using special tools and by checking the URL.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chachapandakarn emphasized that liking or sharing such content is an offense under both the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act, with severe penalties. Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the government is committed to prosecuting those involved in disseminating obscene content online.
A statement from Meta, the Facebook governing body, reiterated that sexually explicit content violates community standards and confirmed that action has been taken against the accounts involved in the incident. The investigation and removal of violating content are ongoing.