Man held for fake pollution death report

By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation

 

 

Police have arrested a 36-year-old Thai man for allegedly running a fake news website that published a report about a “death” after exposure to airborne particulates 2.5 microns in diameter and smaller. The story reportedly caused anxiety in the wake of PM2.5 dust blanketing Greater Bangkok.

 

Suspect Wattanapong Pithawattanathitikul, who was arrested on January 27 in Bangkok, confessed to the wrongdoing and claimed that it was a click-bait to lure people to his site to boost advertising income, said Immigration chief Pol Maj-Gen Surachate Hakparn. He is deputy director of the Royal Thai Police's Thailand Action Taskforce for Information Technology Crime Suppression (Tactics).

 

Bangpunsara.com reported a woman's death by PM2.5 exposure along with photos of a rash-covered patient, which was fake, according to the police and Public Health Ministry. 

 

Publication of false information causing public confusion and panic was in violation of the Computer Act, punishable with up to five years’ imprisonment and a Bt100,000 fine, Surachate said. 

 

False information was also published on gmmwork.com andjookthai.com whose servers were in another country meaning the police had blocked access, he added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30363302

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-31

Didn't take the thai think thank long to get out in front of the liability claims.,too bad they are not as proactive in keeping the air clean.Hopefully they will put this much effort into emission control, I'm holding my breath..

Edited January 31, 20197 yr by mok199

44 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Publication of false information causing public confusion and panic was in violation of the Computer Act, punishable with up to five years’ imprisonment and a Bt100,000 fine, Surachate said.

Are that for government also because they come with alot of false information too 

False information... like from people up top saying dates for things that never happen... or clamp down that do nothing.... or ending rabies, pollution, reducing road deaths...….. 

Mel Brooks did it, said it and danced to it better than I can even comment.

 

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Publication of false information causing public confusion (...) was in violation of the Computer Act, punishable with up to five years’ imprisonment and a Bt100,000 fine, Surachate said. 

Soon a number of arrests at TAT or other govenment services? ????

Edited January 31, 20197 yr by StayinThailand2much

Doesn't sound like fake news at all. Air pollution really does cause millions of deaths each year. It's the single reason why countries should stop burning coal and switch to nuclear as a source of electricity.

Edited February 1, 20197 yr by Time Traveller

No question about it, noise and air pollution cause premature deaths. I'm only 78 but I can  hear that train a coming, coming round the track.

well perhaps i will make a site come to think of it with facts on pm2.5 along with short term and long term effects explained. Seems people need more info because it appears the gov is actually trying to sweep it and wait for the rain but that to me IS murder. Ive been reading thai comments and if the idiots spreading rumours that pm2.5 isnt serious, over exaggerated, or bs continue they should also be locked up.

I find it funny that the government will catch soneone faking a death but not someone lighting forests on fire and killing everyone... 

8 hours ago, Time Traveller said:

Doesn't sound like fake news at all. Air pollution really does cause millions of deaths each year. It's the single reason why countries should stop burning coal and switch to nuclear as a source of electricity.

Millions? So in an average lifetime that would be about 200 million deaths. Can you name one?

 

20 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Soon a number of arrests at TAT or other government services? ????

  

Yes radiation is good for you, it even helps you glow in the dark. Go Nuclear!

 Yup, yup..

Geezer

That's better..the Thailand that I know and love-bang 'em in jail!

 

Oh what a beautiful mornin'

Oh what a beautiful day..