Thailand is generating a significant amount of fake news about the current conflict, according to Tep Asnarith, spokesman for the Ministry of Information. He noted that they have used AI to distort the truth, creating negative images that have insulted the King, national leaders, the Royal Government and the armed forces, as well as the hundreds of thousands of Cambodian civilians who have displaced by the fighting.
Asnarith said that alongside their military assault, Thailand has also waged a psychological war by creating fake news, distorting and fabricating stories that deviate from the truth to pollute the information environment and cause chaos and confusion in Cambodian and international public opinion.
He urged the public not to share fake news, especially negative information or fabricated images.
“I ask all social media users to participate together in this difficult circumstance and moving forward, please ensure the safety of our citizens and communities.
“Do not display images that the Ministry of Information has appealed against and prohibited from being published or shared, in order to contribute to maintaining national security, public order, political stability and combating fake news,” he said.
Also, he urged that reporting on the situation in border provinces must not pose any risk or danger to the safety of citizens, communities and authorities.
According to Asnarith, there have been 218 cases of fake news since Thailand launched its renewed attack on Cambodia on December 7. Most of the fake news originated from Thailand and “hostile groups abroad”.
They included “distorted, inciteful and slanderous” broadcasts against national leaders and the Royal Government, with the intention of affecting internal unity and public confidence in the leadership, he said.
