Verified: Post Claims First Army Area Commander Proposes Granting Thai Nationality Proposes Granting Thai Nationality

Thai PBS Verify พบแหล่งที่มาข่าวปลอมจาก : TikTok

Thai PBS Verify discovered that a TikTok user’s account posted a clip claiming that Lt. Gen. Ammarit Boonsuya, Commander of the First Army Area, and national security officials proposed granting Thai nationality to Cambodians in the area of Ban Nong Chan, Non Mak Mun sub district, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province. This video post received over 170,000 views and more than 2,000 likes. 

When searching with the keyword “แม่ทัพภาคที่ 1 แถลงข่าว” (First Army Area commander press conference), it was found that the image matches reports from several media outlets, which were published on August 22, 2568, concerning the visit of the IOT (Interim Observer Team) from 8 countries. This team, composed of military attachés from eight ASEAN member nations, visited Sa Kaeo and was welcomed by the commander of the First Army Area before visiting the border area of Ban Nong Chan in Khok Sung district. The purpose of their visit was to have a meeting to hear an overview and follow up on operations in the border area.

• • The Commander of the First Army Area clarifies its connection to politics and conflict, affirming continuous collaboration. (3) – Thai News AgencyThe reports found include:
    •  The IOT team from 8 countries visits Sa Kaeo; the commander of the First Army Area and the governor of Sa Kaeo welcome them before heading to the border area of Ban Nong Chan, Khok Sung district. (2) – Radio Thailand Sa Kaeo
      

When the image from the TikTok post was compared with images from the reports by Radio Thailand Sa Kaeo and Thai News Agency, it was confirmed that they are all from the same event in Sa Kaeo province.

Photo Comparison: Image 1: The TikTok post claiming the Commander of the First Army Area (CAA. 1) proposed granting Thai nationality to Cambodians. This photo matches Image 2 (A photo from Radio Thailand Sa Kaeo) and Image 3 (A photo from the Thai News Agency)

First Army Area confirmed that the commander has never commented on granting nationality to Cambodians.

The First Army Area(4) has officially debunked the claim on its Facebook page, confirming that the information is false.

The post from the First Army Area states that one should be wary of fake news. The Commander of the First Army Area and national security officials have never given an interview or expressed an opinion regarding the granting of Thai nationality to Cambodians living in the area of Ban Nong Chan, Sa Kaeo province.”

Images from the First Army Area Facebook Page

Impacts of Receiving This Type of Fake News

ผลกระทบจากการรับข้อมูลข่าวปลอมลักษณะนี้

1. Creates Social Misunderstanding
People who receive the information without verifying it may mistakenly believe it is true and widely share the fake news.

2. Destroys Public Trust in Government Agencies
The reputation of the Commander of the First Army Area and the First Army Area itself can be damaged by being linked to a sensitive issue through an act of disinformation.

3. Incites Racial Conflict
Because the issue of nationality is a sensitive topic, this type of misinformation can lead to hatred or racial discrimination through comments or the sharing of false news.

In addition, we found that many people commented on the post, misled by the distorted information it presented.