A Cambodian man has been arrested in Phnom Penh this morning after allegedly posting faux information about feedback allegedly made by the Thai PM.
Meanwhile, six Thais have been charged with crimes towards the Thai Computer Crimes Act for disseminating faux news about junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha.
According to police, the suspects confessed to sharing a satirical piece of ‘fake’ news – in which Prayuth was quoted as telling people to replenish their vehicles with water as an alternative of expensive gasoline – though they maintain that they’re unaware the news was not real.
The three males and three ladies met with Bangkok police yesterday to acknowledge the costs towards them. They’re accused of violating the Computer Crime Act, which forbids importing “false information” to a computer system.
The six have been launched after questioning pending additional investigation.
21 year outdated Cambodian, Ratana Heng, arrested this morning. PHOTO: Tourist Police.
Lt. Col. Atilak Wangsiriworakul of the Technology Crime Suppression Division says “They admitted to sharing it. We will take their testimony into consideration.”
The article they reportedly shared was first posted on Ratstas.com, a web site which routinely publishes fake news and ‘click bait’ style articles.
Extra that in a May 23 post, printed at the height of public discontent to the soaring gasoline price, the location quotes the PM saying motorists who complained ought to “stop being stupid” and easily replenish their tanks with water. The submit, which was reported to nonetheless be on-line as of Wednesday afternoon, quickly circulated on social media before a government spokesman clarified that PM Prayut by no means made such a remark.
Police quickly launched an investigation.
At a Wednesday information convention, investigators recognized a Cambodian, Ratanak Heng, as the site’s administrator. Atilak mentioned an arrest warrant was issued for the 21 year outdated Cambodian, Ratana Heng, and that police would seek his extradition from Cambodia.
Since the May 2014 coup, authorities have taken swift legal action in opposition to satirists and hoax news web sites which have defamed the NCPO..