Thailand’s government has set up a website where Thais are urged to report about others speaking out against the highly revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the rest of the royal family. 
In addition, it has launched a security system which will block websites that criticize the monarchy. Already almost 5,000 sites have been banned.
This past January, the France based Reporters Without Borders wondered aloud if Thailand is the world’s “new enemy of the Internet.”
The new website, protecttheking.net, was set up by a parliamentary committee, by the newest government in the country.
One of its biggest tasks is to protect the image of the royal family.
According to the BBC, sources in the military say that top generals are concerned about growing anti-monarchy sentiment, particularly among supporters of the ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, many of whom believe that members of the royal family have backed in anti-Thaksin movements.
The new website appears to be part of a concerted effort by the government and its conservative supporters to stifle any debate on the future of the monarchy, before it can gather momentum.
Thailand’s 82 year old King Bhumibol is seen as a near deity. But there is concern that his son and heir, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is not as strong of a leader and may bring trouble to the monarchy once he beceomes King.
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