Thai authorities will prosecute anyone who even looks at online material deemed insulting to its monarchy, the country's authorities have announced.

Axar.az reports quoting the Daily Mail.

Earlier this month, the country threatened to sue social media giant Facebook over photos showing its controversial king walking through a German shopping centre in a crop top.

The footage of King Maha Vajiralongkorn strolling around Munich with a woman was widely shared on the social network.

It remains unclear how police are going to identify viewers who look at forbidden content. According to the law, authorities have to ask for cooperation from internet service providers (ISPs).

The country, which has a 'technology crime suppression police division', previously warned Internet users they could face legal action for liking or sharing content.

'The division will be the one to decide whether going in and viewing illegal content violates the law or not,' said deputy police spokesman Major General Songpol Wattanachai.

'Authorities will ask people to cooperate not to view illegal content.'

The monarchy is a powerful and widely revered institution in Thailand. King Bhumibol Adulaydej, who died last year aged 88, was widely loved and considered semi-divine by some.