Cambodian man arrested for releasing fake news about Thai PM

 

Picture: Thai Tourist Police

 

BANGKOK, 1 June 2018 (NNT) - A 21-year-old Cambodian man has been arrested for trying to defame the Thai government by releasing fake news online. 

During a press conference at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Deputy Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, Pol Maj Gen. Surachet Hakpan, said that the Cambodian man, identified by police as Ratanak Heng, would be handed over to the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to face criminal charges. 

Ratanak had allegedly claimed in a fake news article that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha told Thai people to fill up their cars with water instead of diesel causing the general public to grow concerned over rising gas prices. 

Pol Maj Gen. Surachet said Ratanak’s action was clearly an intent to damage the reputation of the government. He had posted 3 fake online news stories regarding the Thai government and the premier prior to his arrest. 

6 Thai nationals, who were found to have been involved in the release of those fabricated articles, said they were only sharing information on social media without any intention to instigate conflicts. 

If found guilty, they will face a maximum jail term of 5 years or a maximum fine of 100,000 baht for violating the Computer Crime Act.

 

-- nnt 2018-06-01

44 minutes ago, webfact said:

Pol Maj Gen. Surachet said Ratanak’s action was clearly an intent to damage the reputation of the government.

I don’t think it’s this idiot journalist who’s damaging the govts reputation. 

 

His arrest, on the other hand...

Edited June 1, 20188 yr by Bluespunk

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

Ratanak had allegedly claimed in a fake news article that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha told Thai people to fill up their cars with water instead of diesel causing the general public to grow concerned over rising gas prices.

But But But

It funny!

5555555555!

???

So the Cambodian government caved into the Thai thugs. 

Aha cars can run on water so no more gasoline stations for me

This irresponsible stunt caused a huge amount of damage when 72 million Thais filled up their vehicles with water.

5 years for fake news? The whole world is one big pile of fake news ! So arrest them all? What a country !

I thought this government were perfect until I read about this story. Good to know it's not true. I can go back to thinking they're perfect again. 

No need to resort to fake news to make Prayuth out to be an idiot. Just let the facts speak for themselves

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Pol Maj Gen. Surachet said Ratanak’s action was clearly an intent to damage the reputation of the government.

Which Time ?   Prayut should probably atone for his damaging of the country's reputation as well.  There are also the watches.  There is very little to be proud of when it comes to the junta government.

Parody and lampoon are definitely not protected forms of speech in this country.  Right to defamation: do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars.  The Onion or Mad Magazine better not set it's sights on the esteemed PM. The entire staff would end up doing time for publishing fake news, although anyone in the US would recognize it as satire - it's over the top.  So are we to assume that no one in Thailand has the sophistication to recognize satire?  Or is satire going to be called something it isn't in order to prosecute satirists?  That pretty scary. 

 

 

Edited June 1, 20188 yr by connda