Contesting falsified reports on boundary disputes: DES steps in
In a bid to combat the spread of fake news and disinformation related to the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict, Thailand's Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has collaborated closely with major social media platforms. This collaborative effort aims to maintain the integrity of information during this sensitive period.
The collaboration involves a multi-pronged strategy that combines technological tools, enhanced human oversight, law enforcement cooperation, and regulatory demands on social media platforms.
Key collaborative measures include the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies by social media platforms to detect and block the spread of fake news rapidly. These platforms have also agreed to monitor suspicious accounts, including those allegedly originating from Cambodian IP addresses that flood Thai news pages with spam and misleading content.
The DES Ministry works closely with the Public Relations Department (PRD) to verify suspected fake news within three hours, ensuring swift clarification to the public. The Ministry of Justice, Royal Thai Police, and Office of the Attorney General review cases to potentially charge individuals spreading fake news. Additionally, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) investigates involvement of businesses in disinformation campaigns.
The NBTC has been assigned to investigate service providers involved in IO activities and report to the committee. The committee agreed to strengthen online identity verification, requiring companies to be verified for ad placements.
The platforms have responded positively, and several important agreements have been reached. Under new Thai regulations effective July 2025, social media platforms must remove content deemed false or misleading within 24 hours of government notification, further reinforcing rapid suppression of harmful disinformation related to the conflict.
The DES Ministry's Anti-Fake News Centre actively monitors and categorises false reports, issuing warnings about damaging fabricated stories—such as fake claims about violent acts by soldiers—to mitigate public panic.
The priority will be given to fake news related to unrest along Thailand's border regions. Since 2019, the ministry has logged an additional 1.1 billion suspected pieces of fake news for review and analysis. Improved technology has increased the government's capacity to detect and act on disinformation significantly.
The meeting took place at Government House, and discussions were held with major social media platforms on Tuesday to seek cooperation in detecting and removing false information and IO-related accounts. A rapid-response protocol has been approved, requiring factual corrections to be disseminated within three hours once fake news is detected and verified.
IO cases or psychological operation content will be referred to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) for notification and takedown via platform coordination. More manpower will still be used to enforce anti-fake news measures, as previously announced.
DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong announced new measures to combat fake news and information operations (IO) following a high-level meeting. The ministry's efforts to combat fake news and IO have been ongoing since at least 2019.
In conclusion, this collaborative approach aims to ensure a reliable flow of information during the sensitive Thai-Cambodian border conflict. The DES Ministry, with the support of various platforms and government agencies, is committed to maintaining the integrity of information and promoting transparency in the digital space.
- Amidst the collaborative effort with social media platforms to combat disinformation, Thailand's Digital Economy and Society Ministry is also utilizing technology such as Artificial Intelligence to rapidly detect and block the spread of fake news.
- In response to the Thai government's measures, major social media platforms have agreed to monitor suspicious accounts and accounts allegedly originating from Cambodian IP addresses that circulate spam and misleading content on Thai news pages.
- Under the new Thai regulations effective July 2025, social media platforms are required to remove content deemed false or misleading within 24 hours of government notification, providing a definitive approach to the rapid suppression of harmful disinformation during the Thai-Cambodian border conflict.
