Thai election fight turns to YouTube, Facebook after campaign ban

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (not pictured) and Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha address the media during a statement at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, November 28, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

The battle to win over millions of first-time and undecided Thai voters is now increasingly being fought online as the military-run government bans campaigning ahead of a general election expected next year. 

New and established parties and even junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha are vying for attention on platforms ranging from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to the Line messaging service. The contest is set to intensify as the military government that seized power in 2014 prepares to finally hold an election on Feb 24.