In today’s world, where information is easily accessible at our fingertips, people’s understanding is not always driven by facts. It may instead be misled by disguised and fast-spreading fake news. The Thai PBS Verify Talk: #ThisFeedHasNoFakeNews was created by Thai PBS Verify with the goal of building a “safe information space.” The event brings together 13 experts from government, media, and academia to decode the dangers of misinformation — including AI deepfakes that lurk in our daily feeds.
OPENING SESSION: How to Adapt in an Era Driven by AI
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilasinee Phiphitkul, Director-General of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), spoke about how Thai PBS is responding to artificial intelligence (AI) technology during the Thai PBS Verify Talk: #ThisFeedHasNoFakeNews.
She emphasized that AI affects freedom, equality, and fair access to information, especially as the concept of “intellectual security” gains attention in national strategic planning circles. Therefore, it is crucial to ask serious questions such as “Who determines the direction of AI?” and “Who benefits from it?”.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilasinee Phiphitkul, Director-General of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)
“Today’s forum holds great significance,” she said, “because we are living in a time when both technology and politics are evolving in complex ways. AI is not waiting for us to catch up — it is advancing rapidly, driving structural changes in society and transforming the relationship between humans and information.”
She acknowledged that AI is becoming a silent force that permeates everyone’s lives — from health, livelihood, income and politics. Many people can already feel the tremors of this technology subtly influencing every aspect of society.
As we can all see and feel, Thai society is currently facing a period of political uncertainty and deep conflicts. Then technologies like AI are being used to create and spread fake news on a massive scale. Even more concerning, they are trapping people inside “Echo Chamber” that limit perspectives and expose individuals to only one side of the story.
“People today are yearning for clear and trustworthy answers,” she noted, “yet what we are witnessing is a growing distrust toward political institutions, which are increasingly fragile while confidence has become rare today.”
This has made “trust” the most valuable asset of all. Yet in many cases, it has also become the toughest question: How can we restore trust in a world where truth and falsehood are nearly indistinguishable?
Thai PBS Verify represents Thai PBS’s collaborative effort to protect the truth in the age of AI. The project was officially launched on April 2, 2025, though in practice, Thai PBS and its network partners had already begun working together since 2024.
The team is determined to elevate this service to meet the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) standards by the end of 2025 — a milestone that deserves recognition as an important step forward for public media in adapting to technological change.
However, the next challenge for Thai PBS is not only to combat fake news created by humans, but also to confront AI-generated misinformation, which is becoming faster, more sophisticated, and difficult to detect. The work then must be even more rigorous — involving both the verification of distorted information and the analysis of AI-generated content, especially in the form of deepfakes.
In addition, Thai PBS Verify is committed to helping define ethical and professional frameworks for journalists and media professionals, ensuring that their work meets high standards and is well-prepared to navigate the new information landscape in the age of AI with responsibility.
In the case of appearing in various media, it must be understood whether or not the public chooses to listen to the government is up to them. However, the government should not be excluded as one of those choices.
- From “Screen Rumors” to “On-the-Ground Reality”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tawida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, emphasized the crucial role of “Crisis Communication”. She noted that even under normal circumstances, if communication systems are ineffective or not well-organized, successful communication cannot occur. This becomes even more critical during times of crisis: if a normal communication framework is not well-established from the start, effective crisis communication will be impossible. Therefore, it is essential to have platforms that guide citizens toward reliable sources of information. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is working to promote such access, ensuring that people know where and how to obtain accurate information during normal conditions. Dr. Tawida further pointed out that when to release information through various media channels, whether the public chooses to trust and listen to it is up to them — but it is vital that the government remains one of the options people can turn to for credible information.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tawida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok
“The problem during normal situations,” she explained, “is that people tend to only pay attention to the first message they see or hear. We can observe that once something is posted on social media, the explanations that follow always get fewer views than the initial post. Therefore, we must prepare accurate information in advance, simplify it into understandable knowledge, and share it with the public during normal times.”
Regarding rumor and fake news management, Dr. Tawida highlighted the usefulness of Bangkok’s Traffy Fondue application, which not only allows BMA to monitor incidents in real time but also enable BMA to immediately share verified images or updates with the media and the public. During past crises, despite the spread of various rumors — such as false reports of building collapses during an earthquake — the authorities were able to respond immediately with real-time information, effectively dispelling misinformation. Using accurate knowledge to counter rumors leads to better effective communication.
2. Deepfake — The Silent Threat from AI and a New Challenge for the Media
Ms. Kanokporn Prasitphon, Director of the Digital Media Department at Thai PBS, spoke about the benefits and dangers of AI Deepfakes, noting that Deepfake is a form of Generative AI.
The term “Deepfake” combines two words: “Deep Learning,” referring to advanced machine learning techniques, and “Fake,” meaning something fabricated. The Deepfake phenomenon began around November 2017, and according to Ms. Kanokporn, it can be categorized into five main types:
- Face Swap — Replacing one person’s face with another’s.
- Voice Cloning — Imitating a person’s voice.
- Synthetic Media — Creating entirely new, computer-generated faces or images that don’t exist.
- Re-enactments — Manipulating a person’s facial expressions, lip movements, or gestures based on the movements of another individual in the source video.
- Text-based Deepfake — Generating text that mimics a person’s writing style or communication tone. When the text input changes, the AI automatically adjusts and rewrites content to match the new input.
Kanokporn Prasitphon, Director of the Digital Media Department at Thai PBS
Kanokporn discussed both the advantages and disadvantages of Deepfake technology, noting that its impact depends on how it is used. On the positive side, when applied for constructive purposes, Deepfake can help raise public awareness of important issues, reduce production costs and resource use, support the creation of positive campaigns, deliver personalized experiences or simulate scenarios that are otherwise difficult to achieve, and offer new branding and revenue opportunities. However, the negative aspects of Deepfake are substantial. The technology can be used to create fake news and spread misinformation, violate personal privacy, serve as a tool for deception, fraud, or blackmail, and undermine credibility and public trust.
According to data from Surfshark.com, the growth of Deepfake technology has been accelerating rapidly. In 2024, the number of Deepfake materials increased by 257% compared to 2023. By just the first quarter of 2025, the number had already risen another 179%, showing an alarming trend of exponential growth. The most common purposes for creating Deepfake content have also shifted. In 2023, most Deepfakes were used for fraudulent activities, followed by political manipulation. In the first quarter of 2025, the largest proportion was found in sexually inappropriate content.
Data on the Growth of Deepfake Technology from Surfshark.com
Despite the increasing sophistication of Deepfakes, it is still possible to distinguish them through careful observation. For audio Deepfakes, some telltale signs include unnatural pauses or irregular pacing in speech, improper use of names or specific terms, monotone delivery with little variation in tone, and unusual background sound, either too flat or too quiet. For video Deepfakes, indicators can include unnatural facial or body movements, abnormal blinking frequency, inconsistent lighting or shadows, and uneven facial textures or mismatched skin tones. In addition, there are various digital tools to help detect Deepfake content.
Thai PBS Verify: Combating Fake News and Deepfakes
The Thai PBS Verify website provides a public service that fact-checks fake news and Deepfakes while also educating the public on how to verify information using professional tools. Anyone can access these resources and learn more about fact-checking at thaipbs.or.th/verify
Meanwhile, the challenges facing the media industry can be divided into five key points:
- Deepfake — If mistakes occur, it can become a sensitive issue and undermine the credibility of the media.
- Fact-checking has become increasingly difficult, as the software used for verification must be constantly updated. Without regular updates, such software will be unable to detect AI-generated images or videos created with newer versions of AI technology.
- Ethical challenges in the profession — Existing professional ethics, which have been in use for a long time, may no longer be sufficiently up to date. Continuous review and revision may therefore be necessary.
- Skill adaptation — Organizations that once relied on a single strong skill set now need media professionals to develop additional technological skills to keep up with rapid change.
- Deepfake threats to journalists — Deepfakes are becoming a personal threat to journalists or reporters who represent their media organizations. If their likeness is used inappropriately in a deepfake, it could cause significant reputational harm.
Ultimately, AI deepfakes have made truth in the media something that must be proven more than before, requiring adaptation in terms of tools, processes, and ethical responsibility.
3.Tracking Deception Through “Statistics”
Mr. Kodchasorn Jaijam, Chief Operating Officer of Gogolook Thailand (Whoscall), presented “Data” collected and published earlier in 2025, revealing a significant rise in scam activity.
According to Mr. Kodchasorn, the rate of scams increased by 112% compared to the previous year. This growth stems from two major sources; that is SMS scams and Phone call scams. While fraudulent phone calls can still be filtered to some extent, the most striking statistic is the surge in SMS scams — which reached 138 million messages, compared to 30 million scam phone calls throughout the year.
He added that scammers prefer using SMS because it is cheap, fast, and easy to mass-distribute. Unlike call scams that may require scripts, SMS scams can be sent in bulk, without much effort or new content creation. On average, Whoscall successfully blocks or prevents around 460,000 scam attempts per day.
In summary, SMS scams have grown vastly and become the most common and cost-effective method for cybercriminals.
Kodchason Jaijam, Chief Operating Officer of Gogolook Thailand (Whoscall)
Kodchasorn stated that “In one day, our platform can protect Thai people from scammers more than 460,000 times. However, we believe that the actual number of victims might be higher than what the statistics show. What’s most important is that more users are now reporting suspicious activity through the platform.”
4. Verification, Field Investigation, and Evidence Gathering — The Work of “Real News”
Kanda Champathip, Editor of the People’s Station program at Thai PBS News, shared findings from her team’s investigations. She explained that fake news is now everywhere, often appearing in the form of “overly good intentions” or “malicious goodwill.”
According to statistics from the Thai PBS Complaint Center, during the six-month period from January to June 2025, there were a total of 1,127 complaints, categorized into the top five issues as follows:
- Legal consultation – 361 cases
- Missing persons reports – 229 cases
- Fraud, scams, and deception – 101 cases
- Online threats and cyber issues – 94 cases
- Consumer protection issues – 82 cases
Regarding the verification work carried out by People’s Station, it has been found that many citizens often call in to inquire about cases of misinformation — for example, fake official documents bearing the Garuda emblem, or false legal news, such as claims that driving over 120 km/h would result in a fine of 10,000 baht.
The People’s Station program not only reports news but also provides legal assistance services. In collaboration with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, the program arranges for lawyers to offer free legal consultations to the public, ensuring that citizens receive accurate and verified information in return.
Kanda Champathip, Editor of the People’s Station program at Thai PBS News
Kanda explained that “When reporting news—such as missing person cases or fraud and scam incidents—our team must verify all information before publication, since most of the data we receive is often forwarded from others.”
The program therefore needs to verify whether the information is true, supported by evidence, and traceable to a credible source, to prevent the reuse of outdated or repeated news, which could unintentionally contribute to the creation of new fake news. If it is confirmed that the information is outdated or incorrect, the program immediately removes it from the system to prevent its re-circulation.
outdated or incorrect, the program immediately removes it from the system to prevent its re-circulation.
According to Kanda, the public media’s process and role in tackling misinformation include five key steps:
- Filtering news and information received from the public
- Field investigation to uncover the truth
- Inviting experts to help verify facts
- Exposing scams through news coverage
5. Promoting Mindfulness (“Sati”) as the foundation for preventing deception
Pol. Col. Neti Wongkulab, Deputy Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB), shared his perspective on efforts to combat online fraud. He noted that nearly everyone has encountered suspicious SMS messages, phone calls, or social media ads—all of which are hunting grounds for call-center gangs seeking victims online.
These call-center networks now operate like full-fledged companies, competing for victims and setting traps in various forms. “If you lose focus and click just once, you could lose everything,” he warned. Therefore, maintaining awareness and caution while using social media is crucial.
“Just as it’s easy to create an online profile, call-center gangs can do the same. So, when meeting people online, the first rule is—don’t believe that the person you see is who they claim to be.”
In previous crackdowns, authorities arrested suspects who committed fraud through fake health articles. These criminals impersonated reputable newspapers, famous doctors, and celebrities, claiming that certain public figures had been treated by a particular doctor. The fake content often promotes dietary supplements, falsely advertising them as cures for various illnesses.
Victims who viewed these fake profiles and fabricated reviews believed the products were legitimate, only to receive unlicensed drugs or supplements. Investigations revealed that these call-center gangs operated structured “back-office” setups, like corporate offices — and in one case, the operation was discovered in the Ramkhamhaeng area of Bangkok.
Pol. Col. Neti Wongkulab, Deputy Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB)
Pol. Col. Neti Wongkulab explained that beyond health-related fake news, there are also scams that begin with romance and emotional manipulation.
He cited a case in which an entire family was defrauded of over 7 million baht, after the son fell in love with an unknown woman he had met online. The scammer later lured the family into a fake gold trading investment scheme, resulting in massive financial losses.
Pol. Col. Neti also warned about a new and growing threat — the use of AI-generated deepfake voice cloning.
“You need to be extremely cautious, because the voice you hear might sound exactly like someone you know. Scammers now combine cloned voices with personal information gathered from social media, creating trust and deceiving victims more easily,” he said.
He emphasized that emotional manipulation, including fear and psychological pressure, is at the core of most scams.
“If people strengthen their own awareness and resilience, these tactics can become tools to help fight fake news. But if individuals lack self-protection and digital literacy, they will continue to believe and share false information without realizing it.”
6. “Cross-Check” — The Heart of Investigative Journalism
Kanis Boonyapanich, Executive Editor for Investigative News at Thai PBS, discussed the work of The Exit news team, which plays a key role in verifying and exposing misinformation.
He explained that The Exit is Thai PBS’s investigative journalism unit, dedicated to producing reports that serve the public interest — covering issues such as natural resources, human rights, and more recently, stories related to call-center scam networks.
Kanis emphasized that the core principle of investigative journalism is cross-checking information.
“Cross-checking is the heart of investigative reporting,” he said. “To prevent fake news or misinformation, journalists must begin by verifying and cross-checking everything themselves — tracing it all the way back to the original source.”
He added that whenever information is received, whether it turns out to be true, false, or misleading, the journalist must go back to the source to examine the credibility of the origin and the genuine of information. We should also check who is behind it and where it comes from. This, he said, is what ensures that investigative reporting remains factual, reliable, and in service of the public.
Kanis Boonyapanich, Executive Editor for Investigative News at Thai PBS.
Kanis recounted that even investigative journalists themselves have been targets of deception. Earlier this year, The Exit investigative team received coordinates and intelligence from a source indicating various illegal activities taking place in buildings in Poipet, including online gambling operations and call-center scams. After the report was broadcast, someone contacted the team through an inbox message, claiming to be a representative of one of the buildings mentioned. The individual accused Thai PBS of misrepresenting facts and insisted that the building hosted only online gaming operations. However, upon further investigation, the team discovered that the account contacting them was fake. After cross-checking with trusted sources in Poipet, the team found that the building in question was not merely an online gaming center, as claimed.
It was found to be a Taiwanese investment group that had expanded from Macau, operating online games on the upper floors, while the lower floors housed call-center operations and a casino.
This case, Kanis explained, highlights the importance of verification and cross-checking, even for professional journalists, to guard against sophisticated disinformation tactics.
Kanis emphasized that the success of any investigative journalism effort must begin with a shared goal — a commitment among team members to combat fake news and deception, including emerging threats like AI-generated deepfakes. Such initiatives often start with small groups of people who share a strong desire to solve problems. Collaboration within the team is essential for success. For Thai PBS, the investigative unit must continue to focus on public-interest journalism, covering issues such as natural resources, human rights, and call-center scam networks — all with the aim of protecting and informing the public.
7. When the State Must Battle False Information in an Era of Distrust
ตัวแทนจากหน่วยงานราชการที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการตอบโต้ข่าวลือและข่าวลวง เช่น คุณอนุกูล พฤกษานุศักดิ์ รองโฆษกประจำสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี ระบุถึงการตอบโต้กับข่าวลือ, ข่าวลวง ของฝากฝั่งรัฐบาลว่า การเล่าข่าวสารในทุกวันนี้ อยากให้ทุกคนรับฟังข่าวสารจากช่องทางตรงของรัฐบาล ที่นำเสนอในช่องทาง thaigov.go.th ซึ่งเป็นเว็บไซต์หลักที่นำเสนอข้อมูลผ่านทุกกระทรวง ทบวง กรม ซึ่งการที่จะนำเสนอข่าวให้มีความเร็วและความแม่นยำนั้น เป็นเรื่องที่ไม่สามารถมาคู่กันได้เสมอ
Anukool Pruksanusak, Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister
Anukool stated that “The government will act as quickly as possible, but we emphasize accuracy and sensitivity. Information from the government must be 100% correct, clearly communicated, and easy for the public to understand.”
He explained that over time, the government has faced numerous attacks from fake and misleading news across various topics. The government utilizes available resources and tools, such as platforms provided by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, to protect, clarify, and expand upon information. Then the Office of the Spokesperson delivers a clear explanation, ensuring that the public receives accurate and comprehensible information as quickly as possible.
8. Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Center and the Mission to Combat 1.184 Billion Messages
Wongakeua Boonsol, spokesperson for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), outlined the ministry’s role in combating fake news. He explained that the ministry leverages technology to collect, analyze, and filter content that may constitute misinformation. The central philosophy of the Anti-Fake News Center is that every citizen has the right to accurate information, and it is the government’s responsibility to present the truth.
To achieve this, MDES works in collaboration with the Anti-Fake News Center and multiple government agencies. Task forces have been established within each ministry and agency to verify and confirm whether information is true or false.
Wongakeua Boonsol, spokesperson for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES)
Wongakeua, provided further details on the work of the Thailand Anti-Fake News Center.
He stated that the center has detected over 1.184 billion pieces of fake information, which are then reviewed and forwarded to relevant agencies for verification. These fake news items can be categorized as follows:
- Health – Misinformation about diet, medicine, or health practices, which is frequently shared online.
- Economy – False reports about economic policies circulated on social media, often intended to generate likes or criticize the government.
- Disasters – Fake news about storms or natural disasters, such as misleading claims about storm names or predictions that certain storms would hit Thailand. These are cross-checked with the Meteorological Department.
- Government Policies – Misleading information about government initiatives, such as the 10,000-baht financial aid scheme, including fraudulent links claiming instant disbursement.
- Online Crime – Detected misinformation related to cybercrime is forwarded to the Technology Crime Suppression Center, where multiple agencies—including police, banks, and other government departments—collaborate to verify and act on the information.
This structured approach ensures that fake news is categorized, investigated, and addressed efficiently, strengthening public protection against misinformation.
Fake news related to international sensitivity – Thailand-Cambodia border conflict:
In June 2025, there were 232 instances of fake news regarding this issue. These were immediately fact-checked and verified before being communicated to the public.
Everyone can access verified information online via the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand website or its LINE Official account, where the public can report suspected fake news, leading to verification and publication of whether the news is true or false.
9. Fact-checking government policies is a citizen’s right
Aruchita Utmaphokin, Communications Innovation Manager at The Active Thai PBS and representative of Policy Watch, explained that working with policies often involves dealing with “multiple truths”, meaning that policies are constantly changing and may benefit some while disadvantaging others.
Aruchita illustrated this with the example of digital wallet policies, aimed at stimulating the economy by distributing 10,000 THB per person. Policy Watch found that this policy faced multiple limitations, including budget constraints, strict financial controls, and misalignment of target groups compared to the original election campaign period. Fact-checking by Policy Watch provides a clearer picture of the policy from multiple perspectives.
Aruchita Utmaphokin, Communications Innovation Manager, The Active Thai PBS
The carbon credit policy seems beneficial in the context of climate change. However, its implementation has affected certain groups, such as farmers, who have raised concerns and requested tighter regulation. Policy Watch has revealed aspects of this policy to provide the public with a fuller picture.
Regarding disaster management policy, although the Prime Minister’s statements may not explicitly mention them, government agencies like the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) already handle such responsibilities, supported by master plans. Policy Watch notes that policy implementation is complex and cannot be fully assessed solely based on political statements. Evaluating public policy requires consideration of all relevant dimensions.
Public participation and awareness of government policy implementation is a citizen’s right. Policy Watch has thus become a tool designed to present a comprehensive view of public policies, covering the steps of implementation, origins of each policy, verification of sources, progress tracking, and assessment of success.
Another key tool is the Policy Analysis Canvas, a collaboration between Thai PBS, international policy platforms, and public policy academics, aimed at systematically analyzing public expectations toward these policies.
10. Fake News “The hidden power behind the politics”
Panika Wanich, Executive Committee Member of the Move Forward Party highlighted that elected politicians can lose legitimacy through fake news, hate speech, and nationalist rhetoric, which erodes public trust and can escalate political conflicts. She emphasized that “Trust” is the most crucial yet fragile asset for politicians. In today’s era, disinformation and misinformation are powerful tools that can quickly destroy the credibility of political figures.
Pannika Wanich, Executive Committee Member of the Move Forward Party
“Trust is not built overnight. It requires proof, consistent action, and repetition over months and even years before the public believes in you. Yet, that trust can be destroyed almost instantly by deliberately spread fake news or disinformation.”
Regarding fake news linked to nationalism, she emphasized that the most dangerous aspect is not the false information itself, but the deliberate connection of such information to nationalist sentiment. Nationalism can strongly evoke emotions and easily be manipulated, making it a tool to undermine human values.
A clear example is the Thailand–Cambodia case, where claims about videos supposedly released by Hun Sen were widely believed by Thai audiences without verification. People assumed that because the first clip existed, there must be a series of 20, and the ensuing propaganda benefited not only Hun Sen but also those opposed to democratic governance, who sought military intervention or authoritarian rule.
She added that excessive nationalism and patriotic rhetoric can be used politically to discredit opponents domestically and internationally. True intellectual immunity requires allowing citizens and media to participate in fact-checking, rather than leaving it solely to the state.
11. Thai PBS World’s Fact-Checking Approach
Claire Patchimanont, Director of Thai PBS World, reinforced the role of public media in providing accurate and trustworthy news. The Thai PBS World team applies two main fact-checking principles:
- Use information from trusted sources, and
- Utilize fact-checking tools.
For instance, in the case of the viral clip claiming that the “Moo Dèng mascot stopped walking to pay respect to the national flag,” the team contacted the clip owner for verification, but the owner could not confirm the exact timing or whether the claim was true, only that the clip could be used. The team then investigated further by checking the zoo’s opening and closing hours, discovering it was open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM—proving the claim in the clip could not have occurred at the stated time.
“It is impossible for the ‘Moo Dèng’ mascot to stop walking to pay respect to the national flag at 6:00 PM, which confirms that the video in question is edited or manipulated. This case highlights that verifying news requires sense, intuition, and critical thinking — a moment of ‘Hmm, should I believe this?’ before accepting it as true. This is why it is important to follow news from trusted media sources, because relying solely on social media feeds can easily lead to being misled. Trusted sources, by contrast, have already filtered and verified the information.”
Meanwhile, the Thai PBS World news team has faced multiple challenges, including political propaganda, Deepfake content, misinformation, especially related to health, and Balancing speed and credibility. When forced to choose between speed and accuracy, the team prioritizes credibility and correctness, ensuring that the information presented is reliable and verified first.
Claire Patchimanan, Director of Thai PBS World
Claire explained that Thai PBS World has been working closely with Thai PBS Verify to coordinate fact-checking efforts, particularly in verifying viral news clips.
One notable example was the false claim that the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar had collapsed. Thai PBS World immediately reached out to its network — including the Thai Embassy in Myanmar — and confirmed that no such incident had occurred.
Claire emphasized that network collaboration is a crucial tool for accurate source verification.
Currently, Thai PBS is a member of several major international broadcasting alliances, including The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), with over 280 member organizations across 57 countries; Asia Vision, with 27 member organizations; and The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), which includes 26 member countries.
These networks enable Thai PBS to cross-check and confirm international news quickly and reliably.
12.Know before you share, think before you believe — block, prevent, and stop the spread.
Siriprapa Weerachaisingh, Outreach & Partnerships Manager at TikTok, reaffirmed that despite the overwhelming amount of content on TikTok — both factual and misleading — the platform is actively tackling misinformation.
From January to March 2025, TikTok removed more than 3.4 million videos that violated its Community Guidelines, according to its latest Community Guideline Enforcement Report, released just three days ago.
She added that TikTok enforces these rules through a robust Trust and Safety team of over 40,000 global specialists, working 24/7 to review and moderate content — ensuring that videos appearing on users’ feeds remain safe and trustworthy.
Siriprapa Weerachaisingh, Outreach & Partnerships Manager at TikTok
Siriprapa explained that TikTok uses advanced detection technology to identify and remove harmful or misleading content.
According to the platform’s internal findings, 99.5% of such content is deleted before users even report it. In many cases — particularly those involving misinformation, fake news, or local-language content — TikTok also relies on fact-checking processes and human moderators to review and verify the context of each video.
Siriprapa emphasized that these figures clearly demonstrate TikTok’s strong commitment to creating a safe and trustworthy online space for its users.
A growing amount of disinformation, especially health-related content and AI-generated material, has led to widespread misunderstanding and deception online. To address this, TikTok has enhanced its content moderation and accuracy systems by providing additional verified information to users.
For users who search for information on TikTok, the platform now adds reliable data and links from trusted organizations to help viewers verify facts. During critical times—such as elections, when unverified results or misleading statistics circulate—TikTok displays information tags at the top of videos, clearly stating that the content has not yet been verified.
Similarly, for AI-related content, TikTok attaches an “AI-generated” label to videos that were created using artificial intelligence. This label appears whether the creator discloses it or the system detects it automatically, helping users understand the origin and authenticity of the content.
If users encounter false, misleading, or inaccurate information, they can report it directly through the app. This feedback helps TikTok’s moderation team identify misinformation more efficiently and help strengthen the overall community.
13. Fear, Greed, and Love: The Three Emotions That Trigger Victims
Dr. Trin Poraksa, criminologist and expert in criminal psychology and behavior at Mahidol University, explained that “victims of fake news are not foolish or naïve — they are driven by emotions of fear, greed, or love.”
He detailed that successful scams require three elements, known collectively as the “Crime Triangle”:
- Opportunity
- Personal motive
- A suitable victim
Without one of these components, a crime cannot occur.
From his experience investigating criminal cases, Dr. Trin noted that victims typically fall into three categories:
- Primary victims – those directly affected by the scam.
- Secondary victims – people close to the victims, such as family members.
- Tertiary victims – members of the broader community or society who are indirectly affected.
He also referred to a remark he once made — now viral as an online meme — “Did your mom shake you too hard as a kid?” This, he clarified, was not meant as an insult but as a scientific reference to brain function and logic.
When children are young, the brain is smaller than the skull, leaving space between the two. If a child is shaken, the frontal lobe — which controls reasoning and emotional regulation — can repeatedly hit the skull, causing bleeding, swelling, or inflammation. This can impair cognitive functions and, in severe cases, cause death.
Dr. Trin concluded that a damaged or underdeveloped frontal lobe can reduce one’s ability to think logically, rationally, and emotionally control oneself — making people more susceptible to manipulation and deception.
Dr. Trin Poraksa, a criminologist specializing in psychology and criminal behavior at Mahidol University
Dr. Trin explained that there are three key emotional factors that make people vulnerable to scams: greed, fear, and love.
According to data from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), about 60% of scam victims are women and 36% are men. However, Dr. Trin noted that these figures may not reflect the true ratio because “humans naturally tend to lie.” In fact, around 70% of male victims do not report scams due to embarrassment. Therefore, the actual number of male victims could be much higher — possibly around 70% more than reported statistics.
“Greed” is the most common factor, especially among those in poor financial status. Since most people possess some level of greed, messages that appeal to quick gains or easy money often succeed in deceiving victims. “If there were no greed, there would be no victims,” Dr. Trin stated.
“Fear” based scam is likely to target wealthier and more educated individuals, who are often more anxious about losing their status or security. The “amygdala” located between the front and back regions of the brain, is responsible for emotions like fear, anger, and hatred — emotions that are easily triggered and long-lasting. Once fear is activated, it shuts down the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that controls rational thought and decision-making. This allows scammers to psychologically manipulate victims, using tactics like Hypnosis, such as creating urgency, inducing stress, and instilling fear to push immediate decisions. Statistically, over 80% of victims lose money within one hour of receiving a scam call — and only 1% ever recover their money.
Lastly is “Love”, seen most clearly in romance scams. Victims of these scams are often those seeking foreign partners. Scammers typically pretend to be handsome, wealthy, or genuinely in love, but none of it is real. Before getting emotionally involved, Dr. Trin advised people to question their situation, “Why would someone who seems so perfect suddenly want to be with you?” He concluded with an important reminder, “Always remember — if something seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.”
“Did you know that 1 in 7 profiles on dating apps are fake? Scammers behind these profiles never video call their victims, and the victims are often deceived by false hopes — believing that once they invest, they’ll get something in return.”
These scammers typically build trust by pretending to send gifts or valuables from abroad, before tricking victims into paying fake fees or responding to fraudulent agencies created as part of the scam. All these tactics are designed to manipulate emotions.
“So, whenever you consume news or any online content and start to feel emotionally involved — that’s when you need to stop,” the speaker explained. “If you strongly agree or disagree with something, it means your amygdala is reacting, not your frontal lobe.”
To avoid becoming a victim, everyone must think with reason rather than emotion — which is difficult and requires constant mindfulness.
“Ultimately, we all need to pause and take a moment — wait 45 to 60 minutes — before deciding whether something is true or false.”
You can watch highlights from the event and revisit all 12 talk sessions through the official channels.
www.thaipbs.or.th/VerifyTalk2025
“Verify Fake News, Filter the Truth” — with Thai PBS Verify at:
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• LINE : www.thaipbs.or.th/LINEVerify
