Bomb rumours prompt online watch
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Police will keep a closer eye on the spread of frightening rumours on social-media websites following postings that falsely claimed government agencies were warning of bombings in Bangkok.
Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) chief Pol Maj-General Pisit Pao-in said his agency would make structural changes in the next seven days in which it would increase the number of sub-divisions from seven to 12 and boost the number of officers and tools to monitor cyber threats. The TCSC currently has 120 officers.
The agency will set up a “war room” where 20 officers would each monitor one screen around the clock to keep an eye on social media. Currently, only two officers are assigned to this duty.
The TCSC’s moves are in response to national police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew’s instructions that came after rumours in the social media that government agencies were warning of more bombings in Bangkok following a recent blast in the Ramkhamhaeng area.
If any posts in the social media claimed to be disseminated by government agencies, the TCSD will verify them and if found to be false, the agency will seek to block the offending website.
