Bangkok: Cyber police have prosecuted two Cambodians for spreading fake news regarding an F-16 plane crash. They have also coordinated with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to block the IP address of the fake page and denied reports about a police reward for information leading to the arrest of the person flying a drone.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepo, Commander of the Technology Crime Investigation Division 1, addressed the fake news situation in both Thailand and Cambodia. He urged the public to seek news information only from official government pages. The cyber police are coordinating with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) to block the fake news page and are considering legal action. Citizens encountering fake news can report it to the cyber police at any time.
A preliminary investigation revealed 70 pieces of fake news, many of which were derogatory and insulting to Thai citizens. Two Cambodians have been prosecuted specifically for disseminating fake news about the F-16 crash.
In response to reports that the Royal Thai Police offered a 100,000 baht reward for information leading to the arrest of the person flying the drone, authorities confirmed that this information is false.