Samut Sakhon: Cyber police have apprehended an individual for editing and posting altered images of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, creating fake news.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpaen, along with other senior officials from the Technology Crime Suppression Division, led a team of cyber police officers to execute a search warrant at a dormitory in Tambon Tha Sai, Amphoe Mueang Samut Sakhon. The operation resulted in the arrest of Mr. Niruti, aged 51, and the seizure of two mobile phones and one tablet. These devices were linked to a Facebook account that was used to edit, alter, and publish manipulated photos of Thaksin, which were seized as evidence.
The legal team of former Prime Minister Thaksin, who first noticed the altered images being circulated on social media, initiated the complaint. The photos, which included images of Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra and other notable figures, were electronically edited with untrue text, intending to damage reputations and incite public disdain. Widely shared on the Facebook platform, the posts led to public misunderstanding and hatred, prompting Thaksin's lawyer to submit evidence to the Technology Crime Investigation Division, requesting legal action against the Facebook page responsible.
Further investigation identified Mr. Nirut as the perpetrator, leading officers to search his residence. Inside, they discovered pictures supporting a particular political party and additional edited images containing false messages. Mr. Niruti admitted during questioning to owning the Facebook page Lom Plianthis, where he had altered images of Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra and other political figures.
Legal charges have been filed against Mr. Niruti under Section 16 of the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550, amended (No. 2) B.E. 2560, for importing data into a computer system accessible to the public that damages the reputation of individuals, with penalties including imprisonment of up to three years and a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand baht.