A group of ultra-royalist senators has agreed to use social networking to protect the monarchy.
The Ad Hoc Committee on Studying and Monitoring Problems Concerning Law Enforcement and Measures for the Protection of the Royal Institution, chaired by Gen Lertrit Wechsawarn held a closed-door seminar Tuesday to brainstorm tactics at Government House.
Speaking at the opening, Gen Lertrit said the seminar aimed to build up a strong network of pro-monarchists. The seminar was attended by about 50 Senate members and social media users.
"[We] want to brainstorm to create measures to counter those offending the royal institution," he said.
Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai said it was the duty of citizens and state to protect the monarchy's stability.
"It’s a question of whether you [citizens and state] perform your duties well enough. This will be the starting point that ignites the royal protection [movement]," he said.
Reporters were asked to leave the room after the opening speech, despite being invited, and given a handout about the group and its purposes.
The handout explained the seminar was held because committee members had found that information and communication technology was being used improperly to insult the royal institution, and attempts were being made to link the monarchy to current political movements.
In the past decade, said the handout, a group of corrupt politicians has tried to discredit the royal institution. The monarchy has enjoyed strong ties with the police, army and independent organisations. But the group's supporters were said to be rewarded for any efforts to damage the monarchy. The same group of politicians has also tried to interfere in the work of the police, army and independent organisations.
One of the committee's tactics is to expand the use of social networks, and promote the monarchy by sharing positive information, and lodging complaints against those offending the institution.
Newly reappointed National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri was another speaker.