Facebook Inc. has banned access to a group in Thailand that discusses the Thai monarchy, it was revealed today.

The group, “Royalist Marketplace,” was started earlier this year by self-exiled critic of the Thai monarchy, Pavin Chachavalpongpun. Criticizing the monarchy in Thailand can lead to serious consequences under the country’s strict lèse-majesté law – perhaps as much as 15 years in prison.

Nonetheless, students around the country lately have been calling for the end of the current military leadership and reform of the monarchy, something unprecedented in modern Thailand. The movement has gained momentum on social media, and Facebook is where many activists and their supporters air their views.

“Our group is part of a democratization process, it is a space for freedom of expression,” Pavin told Reuters today. “By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand.”

“Access to this group has been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the ministry of digital economy and society,” was the message that people inside Thailand saw tonight when they went to that page, although it’s reported that Facebook is now in the process of taking legal action against the Thai government.

According to CNN Business, the government has threatened Facebook employees within Thailand with lawsuits because of speech it deems unlawful. Facebook said it felt “compelled” to restrict access to the group, although it seems the company is having second thoughts.

“Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people’s ability to express themselves,” a spokesperson told CNN. “We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request.”

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