The Patterns of Online Witch Hunting in The Context of Thai Society

Abstract

          This article aims to study of the patterns of online witch hunting (vigilantism) in the context of Thai society. This study is a qualitative research derived from case studies. Internet tracking and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. These study methods were conducted for two different disagreements that are to be presented in this paper, namely criticism of the monarchy and the practice of hazing tradition, known as SOTUS. This study has shown that there are 4 forms of online witch hunt that are personal information disclosure, moral judgment, threats, intimidation and harassment both in real life and online, and refusing to live together in the society. All the above-mentioned caused by the violation of beliefs or insult of highly respected and dearly loved figure, political struggle, different perspectives and ideologies towards social phenomena and different perceptions and interpretations of free speech. The online witch hunt causes effects on both witch hunters and those who got harassed in education, work, health and daily living.