Thai anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngamanong, center, gestures as he arrives escorted by police and soldiers at a military court in Bangkok on Thursday, June 12. The prominent anti-coup figure faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the junta, police said. The Thai military carried out a coup May 22 after months of unrest had destabilized the country's elected government and caused outbursts of deadly violence in Bangkok.
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(CNN) -- The coup was televised through one messenger.
When the Thailand military announced it had taken over the government, it also meant that all state-run, satellite and cable TV providers had been ordered to carry only one signal -- that of the army's.
Major news channels, including CNN, have been taken off air. Even Cartoon Network and Thai PBS could no longer air their usual programs. Patriotic music showing the military logo dominated broadcast signals.
Without radio stations or television channels, those in Thailand who had access to the Internet turned to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and various messaging apps.
Trending hashtags related to Thursday's coup included #ThaiCoup and its Thai language version, which translates to "Coup d'etat 2557" (2557 is the current Thai year on a Buddhist calendar), as well as a more offbeat #CoupMovies.
One user referred to the dozen successful coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
Social media has become increasingly important in government upheavals. Examples include the Arab Spring, the 2009 Iranian election results protests and the #Euromaidan movement in Ukraine that started late last year.
When the flow of information is stemmed through more traditional channels, many seek alternatives for updates and information. Where protests and public gatherings were restricted, people connected and gathered virtually.
Thailand remains under martial law, which among other things includes restrictions on where protesters can gather, what TV and radio broadcasters can air and what can be posted on social media.
Netizens have been warned by the Peace and Order Maintaining Council (POMC), which has seized power, not to post content that could be considered opposing or critical of the Thai military group.
That didn't stop the tweets.
"I'd be surprised if the army did censor social media, because I think it's a really bad move," said Jon Russell, Asia editor at The Next Web. "Already, they've been criticized by the international community for what they've done. Censoring the Internet is an awful means to an end -- they'd lose a lot more than they'd gain from doing it."
Anti-government protesters welcome coup
Thailand military coup latest
Russell, who has lived in Thailand for five years, wrote in a post that "Thailand has not been afraid to censor social media in the past."
Thailand temporarily banned YouTube in 2007, because of materials deemed offensive to the King, according to news reports. And in 2011, Thai authorities asked Facebook to remove materials considered insulting to the monarchy, according to several outlets.
Facebook is the most dominant social network in Thailand, with 26% of the population using it, according to the social management system, Hootsuite. Following is Google+ and Twitter. Instagram is also surging in popularity in the country.
READ: Bangkok was the most Instagrammed location in the world last year
Critics of the coup are not the only ones voicing their political thoughts on social media.
On Tuesday, a Facebook page purporting to represent the Peace and Order Maintaining Council was created. Its info page said its purpose is to "distribute news, information and announcements pertaining to POMC."
In just four days, the page had 200,000 Facebook likes.
CNN's Kocha Olarn, Jethro Mullen and Catherine Shoichet contributed to this report.
Officials clean a canal on Friday, June 6, outside Thai Government House in Bangkok in an area anti-government protesters occupied for months. Human-rights activists and foreign governments criticized the military's intervention, but life in Thailand has resumed to something approaching normal while the political situation remains in flux.
Thai soldiers entertain people with songs at Victory Monument in Bangkok on Thursday, June 5. The junta is waging a propaganda campaign to encourage "national happiness" following the coup that severely restricted civil liberties.
Passengers on a bus watch soldiers entertain the crowds at Bangkok's Victory Monument on June 5.
Police secure an area inside the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on Wednesday, June 4.
A protester adopts the three-fingered salute from "The Hunger Games" during an anti-coup demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on June 4.
Soldiers pull barbed wire from a canal near the Thai Government House during a cleanup operation June 4 in Bangkok.
Thai police officers leave the Victory Monument after they finish guarding it Tuesday, June 3, in Bangkok.
Protesters flash the three-finger salute while shouting during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Sunday, June 1.
A protester holds up three fingers during an anti-coup demonstration at a Bangkok shopping mall on June 1.
Thai soldiers are deployed at a busy intersection in Bangkok on June 1.
Onlookers at a Bangkok shopping mall watch as protesters shout "Freedom!" and "Democracy!" on June 1.
Thai soldiers guard a bus stop area to prevent an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Thursday, May 29.
A man participates in an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Wednesday, May 28.
A protester throws a garbage can at a line of Thai soldiers during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 28.
Military police stand guard during an anti-coup demonstration at the Victory Monument in Bangkok on Tuesday, May 27.
Anti-coup demonstrators gather at the Victory Monument to protest the military coup as Thai soldiers stand guard in Bangkok on May 27.
Thai soldiers arrest ousted Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand in Bangkok on May 27.
Thai soldiers receive roses from coup supporters at a military base in Bangkok on May 27. Since taking power, military authorities have summoned -- and in some cases detained -- scores of political officials and other prominent figures.
Two protesters stand in front riot police during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Monday, May 26. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to the coup, while some Thais express hope the military will bring an end to the political crisis.
An anti-coup protester faces riot police during a May 26 rally in Bangkok.
Thai police take a woman away from an anti-coup protest in Bangkok on May 26.
A protester confronts soldiers in riot gear during an anti-coup rally Sunday, May 25, in Bangkok.
Thai soldiers are surrounded by anti-coup protesters on May 25 during a demonstration in Bangkok.
A Thai soldier, citing safety reasons, apologies to pedestrians after he closes the fence to an overpass during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 25.
Thai soldiers stand behind their riot shields as protesters threaten them May 25 in Bangkok.
Protesters chant slogans during an anti-coup rally May 25 in Bangkok.
An anti-coup protester is detained by Thai police officers during a protest in Bangkok on Saturday, May 24.
Thai soldiers link arms as they monitor a protest outside a Bangkok shopping complex on May 24.
Thai soldiers patrol near a rally site for pro-government demonstrators on the outskirts of Bangkok on Thursday, May 22.
Thai soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint outside of Bangkok on May 22.
A Buddhist monk walks past a Thai soldier near a pro-government demonstration on the outskirts of Bangkok on Wednesday, May 21.
Thai soldiers guard the Thai police headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday, May 20.
Thai soldiers stand guard outside the Government Public Relations Department in Bangkok on May 20.
Anti-government protesters listen to their national anthem during a gathering in Bangkok on May 20.
Office workers walk past armed soldiers outside the Shinawatra Tower Two office building in Bangkok on May 20.
A soldier grips his gun outside the Government Public Relations Department building on May 20.
Soldiers hold their positions outside the Government Public Relations Department building on May 20.
A soldier stands guard outside the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order in Bangkok on May 20.
Military police officers walk outside the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand offices in Bangkok on May 20. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is pictured on the building.
Thai soldiers walk into the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand building on May 20. All Thai TV stations were being guarded by the military.
Soldiers sit in the lobby of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand building on May 20.
Soldiers secure the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on May 20.
A group of soldiers gathers outside the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order on May 20.
Military police officers walk in front of the Thai TV 3 offices in Bangkok on May 20. In a statement read on Thai television, the military declared that all of the country's radio and television stations must suspend their normal programs "when it is needed."
A soldier stands outside the Government Public Relations Department building on May 20.
An anti-government protester waves a Thai national flag during a march through streets of Bangkok on Monday, May 19. Martial law went into effect at 3 a.m. the next morning.
