A Thai TV station critical of the government has been suspended amid the country's massive protests

Thailand has drawn criticism for banning protests and news seen as damaging by the government as it grapples with a wave of massive protests.

A pro-democracy protester seen making the three finger salute during an anti-government demonstration in the Thai capital.

A pro-democracy protester seen making the three finger salute during an anti-government demonstration in the Thai capital. Source: AAP

A Thai court has ordered the suspension of an online TV station critical of the government, which has accused it of violating emergency measures aimed at ending three months of protests.

Voice TV had also been found to have breached the Computer Crime Act by uploading "false information," digital ministry spokesman Putchapong Nodthaisong told reporters on Tuesday.

Thailand has drawn criticism from rights groups for banning demonstrations and the publication of news seen as damaging by the government as it tries to end the protests against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and the powerful monarchy.

Rittikorn Mahakhachabhorn, Editor-in-Chief of Voice TV, said it would continue broadcasting until the court order arrived.

"We insist that we have been operating based on journalistic principles and we will continue our work presently," he said.

Thailand said on Monday that three other media organisations are under investigation.

Voice TV is owned in part by the Shinawatra family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck, who was overthrown by Prayuth in a 2014 coup. Both fled Thailand to escape corruption cases they branded political.
Thailand Steps Up Response as Anti-Government Protests Escalate
The largely leaderless movement is calling for the resignation of Prayut - a former army chief and mastermind of a 2014 coup. Source: The New York Times
Street protests since mid-July are the biggest challenge in decades to the monarchy under King Maha Vajiralongkorn and to Mr Prayuth, who rejects accusations of engineering an election last year to keep power.

The demonstrations have been largely led by youths and students in contrast with a decade of street violence between supporters of Thaksin and conservative royalists before Mr Prayuth seized power.

Protests have only gained momentum since the government announced a ban last Thursday and arrested dozens of protesters, including many of the main leaders.

Mr Prayuth has said he will not quit in the face of the protests.

His cabinet agreed on Tuesday to hold an emergency session of parliament next week about the crisis.


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Source: AAP, SBS


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