The spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence insisted that Gen Nattaphon never said what was claimed. Thai PBS Verify, which reviews and screens news for veracity to reduce the spread of fake news, also found that the image accompanying the post dates back to 2018 and was used to mislead netizens.
The Facebook post in question claimed that the acting defence minister, also the Director the Ad Hoc Center for Thailand-Cambodia Border Affairs, was angry with reporters over questions about Thailand’s assistance to Cambodians.
The post also claimed that Gen Nattaphon admonished reporters, stating that Cambodians are not his relatives.
The misused image’s accompanying caption can be translated as:
Boiling with rage! Deputy Defence Minister loses temper after being pressed by a reporter on a sensitive issue, and fires back: “Cambodia isn’t my relative. If they’re going to die, then let them die. Don’t expect me to help… This is Thailand. Don’t come here demanding too much. If we can’t treat them, then let them die right there. They shot at my men, leaving many wounded or dead. Some made it back to their families, some didn’t and now they have the nerve to send an official letter asking for help! Others can help if they want to, but I absolutely will not and nor will the agencies under my command.”
The post in question attracted over 30,000 reactions and was shared more than 2,000 times.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Defence’s Office of the Spokesperson posted on Facebook, confirming that the post in question is fake news, while insisting that Gen Nattaphon has never made such a statement to reporters.
The English version of the ministry’s announcement reads as follows:
Fake News Alert
The Ministry of Defence affirms: “No derogatory remarks were made against Cambodia” as falsely circulated on social media.
The Deputy Minister of Defence has never given any interview as claimed online!
The facts are as follows:
- Eighteen armed Cambodian soldiers crossed into Thai territory. They surrendered to Thai forces without resistance.
- The Thai military took them into custody, in accordance with military protocol, and provided basic humanitarian care, including food, water and medical assistance.
- Injured individuals received proper medical treatment. In cases of fatalities, remains were respectfully repatriated.
- Thailand maintains a firm position: Sovereignty must be upheld. No intrusions will be tolerated. All actions are, however, carried out in line with humanitarian principles, without (the use of) excessive force.
File photo from 2018 used in fake news post
Thai PBS Verify has found, using Google Lens, that the original photograph of Gen Nattaphon, which accompanied the fake news post, was first used in 2018, at a time when Thailand was still ruled by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta, under the leadership of then prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, following a military coup. Gen Nattaphon was the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army at the time.
