PM Prayut points to panic caused by fake news as worst aspect of virus crisis

[webfact]

PM points to panic caused by fake news as worst aspect of virus crisis

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that the worst thing about the ongoing novel coronavirus situation in Thailand is panic caused by fake news, as he warned those with ill-intent that they will be dealt with decisively and in accordance with the law.

 

He reassured the Thai public that their Government is capable of containing the spread of the coronavirus and is fully equipped to accommodate the 160 Thais being evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan tomorrow on a chartered flight.

 

“You can burn anything you like, but do not burn your own country – burning it with distortion, with fake news.  I am not quarrelling with you, but I must warn you,” said the Prime Minister, apparently referring to those who disseminate distorted, inaccurate or false news about the virus on social media.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pm-points-to-panic-caused-by-fake-news-as-worst-aspect-of-virus-crisis/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-02-04

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[dcnx]

Does he mean fake news like him saying the virus is “100% under control” because he’s still claiming it.

[SkyFax]

From the linked OP article:

 

"The most important thing now, said the Prime Minister, is to take good care of the public in Thailand, as he dismissed allegations that the Government has been hiding the truth about the number of confirmed cases in the country."

 

Whether true or not, it has been posted on TV numerous times that the daily confirmed cases report from MOPH is fudged.

Edited February 3, 2020 by SkyFax

[colinneil]

The fake PM is moaning about fake news creating panic.... Then why does he not stop spreading fake news.

The corona virus is 100% under control

,He was the clown who said that.

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

You can burn anything you like, but do not burn your own country

Mmmm, yeah, OK! ????

[SkyNets]

At least he's wearng the wrong type of mask, fingers crossed.

[mtls2005]

This is one of the first steps in dealing with a public crisis, Thai style - blame the messenger.

 

Instead of dealing with the issue head-on, implementing procedures, informing the public, they spend time blaming people, probably the very few who are worried and have no information.

 

Ministry of Information sets up "Anti-Fake News Centre"

 

The Thai government says that two people have been arrested for posting fake news about the outbreak of the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus. Buddhipongse Punnakanta, the minister of the digital economy, says his ministry’s “Anti-Fake News Centre” collaborated with the police to arrest Thitima Kongthon at her Bangkok house after she posted on Facebook that a patient infected with the virus died in Pattaya.

 

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/coronavirus/two-thais-arrested-for-spreading-fake-coronavirus-news

 

 

Edited February 3, 2020 by mtls2005

[rkidlad]

Reminds me a lot of how China is dealing with all this. The CCP are spreading fake news that all is under control and stating numbers that are much lower than the real numbers. Meanwhile they’re going after people who speculate and who are genuinely worried. 

[FarFlungFalang]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that the worst thing about the ongoing novel coronavirus situation in Thailand is panic caused by fake news,

Hundreds dead is not worst than some panic caused by fake news?He does have some twisted ideas.Absolutely no compassion or empathy for human life if it occurs to those he perceives as below his class.Go back to your barracks dude for the good of the country.

[lemonjelly]

Instead of logical and positive action, such as demanding that all rest rooms in schools, government buildings and public spaces (shopping malls etc) be legally required to have soap for hand washing made available, what does the jerk do?.... threaten people as per usual.... his popularity ratings have crashed.

[LivinLOS]

3 hours ago, dcnx said:

Does he mean fake news like him saying the virus is “100% under control” because he’s still claiming it.

No shortage of face masks.. 

 

Etc

[RichardColeman]

I'm sure this guy would point out the benefits of having one leg chopped off so you had to buy one less shoe

[rabas]

2 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

No shortage of face masks.. 

 

Etc

Whew! I'll go out this morning and by some. Great.

[yellowboat]

What a whiner.   He is just way too sensitive.  Dispel the rumors and move on.  Stop whining.  Thais I have met prefer getting their news from other sources because Thailand is ranked 136 in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index https://rsf.org/en/thailand

 

I am sure he and all the other cronies in uniform would like to keep everyone focused on outlets they control. 

Edited February 4, 2020 by yellowboat

[spiekerjozef]

Join us !

 

[rabas]

 “You can burn anything you like, but do not burn your own country – burning it with distortion, with fake news."

 

People are taking his advice! Bangkok visibility is near zero this morning.

[BobbyL]

Another example of his military bootlicker style.

 

''Know your place and shut up.'' 

[petedk]

Fake news or not.

I have just been watching BBC World News about how the police in China pin anyone not wearing a mask to the ground and spray them, dragging whole families from their homes and sending them to quarantine, locking an old man who is infected in his home.

The military are called in to help.

 

Here, everything is 100% under control and no new infections. There is no shortage of face masks, and finally they have a cure for the virus. I am sooo glad I live here.

Amazing Thailand

[Benmart]

When the mouth moves, smoke comes forth. The Hub of Smoke Screens.

[Bundooman]

I've yet to see any hint of panic here in Chiangmai...........

Anyone seen any panic elsewhere?

[Bundooman]

1 hour ago, LivinLOS said:

No shortage of face masks.. 

 

Etc

Try buying one..........

[Bundooman]

“You can burn anything you like, but do not burn your own country – burning it with distortion, with fake news".

 

Is he really condoning crop burning?

[IAMHERE]

Seems so far this fake news stuff is being spread by the internet. Is there anyway the internet can be shut off until the virus is gone ? ????

[Artisi]

1 minute ago, IAMHERE said:

Seems so far this fake news stuff is being spread by the internet. Is there anyway the internet can be shut off until the virus is gone ? ????

Don't tempt fate, without it you are left to the fake cha cha news. 

[justin case]

no new thai people infected ...now that is fake news

[Farangwithaplan]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

I am not quarrelling with you, but I must warn you,” said the Prime Minister, apparently referring to those who disseminate distorted, inaccurate or false news about the virus on social media.

Imagine if the PM took a wider view on this matter and started going after people "who disseminate distorted, inaccurate or false news" in general? A not insignificant population of TVF would be in his spotlights.

[ThaiBunny]

Just now, Farangwithaplan said:

Imagine if the PM took a wider view on this matter and started going after people "who disseminate distorted, inaccurate or false news" in general? A not insignificant population of TVF would be in his spotlights.

Looking in the mirror would be a good starting point

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

as he warned those with ill-intent that they will be dealt with decisively and in accordance with the law.

That's a double-edged sword... when & if Thailand crashes you can fall on it!

[petedk]

10 minutes ago, justin case said:

no new thai people infected ...now that is fake news

 

A few Thai people I know really believe this and are so proud of the fact that Thailand is the country with the best control of the virus. I tell them to wait 14 days and THEN if there are no more cases they can say that.

 

[Liverpudlian]

Pretty rich statement coming from a fake prime minister