In the midst of the busy Songkran festivities, the government has urged netizens to exercise caution when sharing videos or pictures related to accidents or violent incidents. These materials often go viral without confirmation of the origin, timing and authenticity and may unintentionally mislead the public.
In a National News Bureau of Thailand post, sharing fake news that will negatively impact individuals and tarnish Thailand’s reputation is a breach of the 2017 Computer Crime Act, where offenders may face jail time of up to five years, a fine of up to 100,000 baht or both.
Individuals who repost or re-upload these malicious content with ill-intentions will also be legally accountable, as this may also contribute to public misunderstanding. “Posting foreign clips as if they occurred in Thailand or resharing outdated footage without context can cause unnecessary panic and may be subject to penalties”, the post continues.
In order to stop the spread of misinformation, the public is encouraged to verify content before sharing them.
“Responsible social media use helps protect both individuals rights and public trust. When in doubt about the accuracy or timing of a post, the best course of action is to avoid sharing”, the post concludes.