Border Dispute Misinformation Opposed by DES
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry in Thailand has taken significant steps to combat fake news and disinformation related to the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict.
In a recent development, the ministry has established the Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC) to continuously monitor and verify misinformation, prioritising content that could potentially affect national security. The AFNC operates 24/7, focusing on fake news related to border tensions.
To enhance its efforts, the DES Ministry is collaborating with various social media platforms. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, they aim to detect and block the spread of fake news across all channels. The ministry is also working closely with these platforms to increase personnel dedicated to verifying information and to confirm fake news within three hours.
The DES Ministry's efforts extend beyond social media, as it collaborates with the Ministry of Justice, Royal Thai Police, and Office of the Attorney General to assess legal charges against those spreading false information. The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has been assigned to investigate business involvement in spreading fake news and report to the committee.
The NBTC's investigations have already uncovered over 1.1 billion suspected pieces of fake news for review and analysis since 2019. With improved technology, the government's capacity to detect and act on such disinformation has increased significantly.
In a recent meeting, the DES Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong, discussed these measures with major social media platforms, seeking cooperation in detecting and removing false information and IO-related accounts.
The DES Ministry and the Public Relations Department will coordinate closely to launch timely communication and conduct continuous monitoring. They aim to quickly debunk widely circulated false stories, such as fabricated reports of Thai soldiers assaulting Cambodian soldiers.
From July 25 to 31, 2025, nearly one million messages related to potential fake news were screened, with over a thousand requiring official verification, reflecting the volume and seriousness of misinformation amid rising border tensions.
These comprehensive, multi-agency, and technology-driven efforts highlight Thailand's proactive stance to limit disinformation impacting national security and public order along its border with Cambodia. The DES Ministry requires advertisers on social platforms to verify their identities, adding another layer of accountability to the online space.
In summary, the DES Ministry's strategy includes forming the AFNC for real-time monitoring and verification of social media content, using AI technologies to detect and block the spread of fake news, increasing personnel dedicated to verifying information, collaborating with other agencies for legal actions against offenders, investigating business involvement in spreading fake news, and monitoring and identifying disinformation related to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict. The ministry's efforts underscore Thailand's commitment to maintaining truth and order in the digital age.
[1] https://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/2113787/des-minister-meets-social-media-platforms-to-discuss-fake-news [2] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403805 [3] https://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/2113787/des-minister-meets-social-media-platforms-to-discuss-fake-news [4] https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403757 [5] https://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/2113787/des-minister-meets-social-media-platforms-to-discuss-fake-news
- Collaboration with technology firms and social media platforms in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) for detecting and blocking the spread of fake news connected to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict falls under the broader umbrella of the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry's proactive approach towards finance, technology, and politics, especially in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- In an attempt to hold those involved in spreading false information accountable, the DES Ministry has introduced measures such as requiring advertisers on social platforms to verify their identities, which could potentially have implications for the overall governance and regulation of digital advertising, thereby impacting both the financial and political landscapes of Thailand.
