Fact-Check Thailand 2026 is a hands-on training initiative designed to develop fact-checkers and to build a credible information ecosystem for Thai society. The project was organized through the collaboration of four key organizations that share a strong commitment to the importance of accurate information in a democratic society: the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Thailand, Thammasat University, Thai PBS, and Cofact Thailand. The award ceremony took place on 18 December 2025 during the event “Talk for Truth and the Fact-Check Thailand Award 2026 Ceremony.” The awards were presented by Ms. Sweta Madhuri Kannan, First Secretary for Press and Cultural Affairs at the German Embassy in Bangkok, who presided over the ceremony held at the Convention Hall, 2nd Floor, Building D, Thai PBS.
Mr. Adisak Limprungrungphatthana, Deputy Director of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), spoke about the event, stating “As Thai PBS is a public broadcaster committed to the principles of accuracy, impartiality, and transparency, the organization of the Talk for Truth forum and the Fact-Check Thailand Award 2026 ceremony represents an important milestone for Thai society as it approaches the 2026 general election, a period in which disinformation is expected to intensify. Fact-checking therefore plays a crucial role in shaping public decision-making and in safeguarding the future of the country.”
Mr. Adisak Limprungrungphatthana, Deputy Director of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)
Ms. Sweta Madhuri Kannan, First Secretary, Press and Cultural Affairs, German Embassy Bangkok, delivered the opening remarks, stating that the Fact-Check Thailand 2026 forum represents an important milestone in cross-sector collaboration as Thailand prepares for its upcoming election amid political uncertainty. She emphasized that impartial, fact-based election reporting lies at the very heart of the democratic process.
“Disinformation is a challenge faced by all democratic countries. It does not destroy democracy overnight; rather, it gradually and quietly erodes public trust. Disinformation does not attack democracy directly, but slowly undermines confidence in society in a subtle and continuous way,” Ms. Sweta said.
Ms. Sweta Madhuri Kannan, First Secretary, Press and Cultural Affairs, German Embassy Bangkok
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilaiwan Jongwilai-kasem, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University, and Head of the Fact-Check Thailand 2026 Project, reported on the outcomes of the Fact-Check Thailand 2026 initiative, stating that the project was originally designed to train primarily central and regional journalists. However, the number of applicants turned out to be nearly double the initial expectation, reflecting a growing “social demand” for fact-checking skills. This demand has increased rapidly, particularly during the election campaign period, when society is confronted with fake news, disinformation, and images or videos created or manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilaiwan Jongwilai-kasem, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University, and Head of the Fact-Check Thailand 2026 Project
“The diversity of applicants and participants—in terms of age, professional background, and social roles—is not merely demographic data of the project. Rather, it reflects a systemic transition within Thai society that increasingly demands ‘truth skills.’ The fact that people from multiple generations and diverse backgrounds, including university-level instructors, showed strong interest in participating is clear evidence that fact-checking is evolving into a foundational skill of digital democracy in Thailand,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilaiwan said.
Fact-Check Thailand Award 2026: An Award for Media Literacy and Informed Decision-Making
The Fact-Check Thailand Award 2026 aims to recognize outstanding fact-checking work that helps the public become more media-literate, particularly in the period leading up to the election, when inaccurate information can influence decision-making at the national level. The list of award recipients is as follows:
1. The Best Checking Award: An award recognizing fact-checking work of high public value, distinguished by a verifiable process and impactful public presentation.
Recipient: Pornchai Eiamsophon, Regional Journalist, Ranong Province
Work: Dissolution of Parliament! Who Tore Up the MOA?
2. Fact Checking Award: An award recognizing excellence in fact-checking, distinguished by standardized verification processes, credible source use, effective digital tools, and socially responsible presentation.
Recipient: Jidapa Singhsorn, Student, Mahasarakham University
Work: The Phnom Penh Building Fire and the Thailand–Cambodia Conflict
3. Policy Checking Award: An award recognizing outstanding policy-checking work, distinguished by the relevance of the issue, a credible verification process, and presentation that helps correct public understanding.
Recipient: Tattiya Trachu, Independent Journalist
Work: The Power of Compensation Funds for the Hat Yai Floods
4. Photo Checking Award: An award recognizing image-verification work of social significance, distinguished by appropriate use of tools and a systematic, reliable verification process.
Recipient: Rat Kalanyuwong, Student, Thammasat University
Work: Ta Kwai Temple on Fire?
5. The Creative Checking Award: An award recognizing creative fact-checking work that stands out for its innovative presentation format, effective public outreach, and a credible verification process.
Recipient: Kiertisak Singngam, Master’s Degree Student, Graduate School of Communication Arts and Management Innovation (CMMI), National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA)
Work: Fact Checker Rap
6. Fact Checker Award: An award recognizing an outstanding fact-checker who submitted the highest number of entries to the competition.
Recipient: Kiertisak Singngam, Master’s Degree Student, Graduate School of Communication Arts and Management Innovation (CMMI), National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA)
Works:
- The Cabinet Approves a Draft Ministerial Regulation to Compensate Victims of Technology-Related Crimes
- Director of the Government Lottery Office Reveals Fixed Lottery Numbers for the 1st and 16th of December Draws
- We Must Fact-Check First (Music Marketing)
- Fact-Check: Thammaphatthana Party (Series: Sathu 2)
- Fact-Check: Is This Image Real or AI-Generated?
- Khon La Khrueng Phase 2: Will It Be in Time for This New Year?
- After the Dissolution of Parliament, Khon La Khrueng Phase 2 Will Not Continue, but the Ministry of Finance Will Distribute 10,000 Baht in Digital Cash
- Kim Jong-un States: “Not Afraid of Thailand, but Respects Thai Identity”
- Fact-Check: Clip of an F-16 Changing Color in Cambodian Airspace
7. Gen Z Fact-Checking Rising Star Award: An award recognizing an outstanding emerging Gen Z fact-checker.
Recipient: Worapop Namkaew, Student, Sangkeewittaya Secondary School, Bangkok
Works:
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- Viral Online! A Well-Known Chiang Rai School “Does Not Accept” Thai Language Teachers Due to No Applicants Passing the Criteria — Selection Results Extremely Strict, the Office of the Basic Education Commission Confirms the Announcement Is Authentic
- Verified Real Images! Ta Kwai Temple “Before and After the War” — Severe Damage Circulating on Social Media; Mainstream Media Consistently Report It Was Destroyed During Clashes
- Hashtag “Destroy Completely” Emerges with Royal Thai Army Logo — Text Verified as Authentic; Source Traced to a Page Linked to the Military Amid Heightened Tensions Along the Thai–Cambodian Border
- Image Check: Man Arrested in Cambodia After Claiming to Be a “Thai Spy” — Found That Cambodian Media Did Publish the Story; Several Thai Media Outlets Reported It, but There Has Been No Official Confirmation from Thai Authorities
- The Promise to “Handle It” and “Manage the Situation” Regarding Flood Mitigation by Mr. Narongporn Na Phatthalung (“Mayor Paen”), Mayor of Hat Yai Municipality — Can It Really Be Done?
Following this, the program moved into the “Talk for Truth” session, featuring four distinguished speakers: Professor Emeritus Vicha Mahakhun, Chair of the Committee for the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) of Public Sector Agencies and representative of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC); Ms. Saree Aongsomwang, Secretary-General of the Office of the Consumer Council; Mr. Yingshep Atchanont, Project Manager of Internet for People’s Law (iLaw); and Mr. Prasong Lert-rattanavisuth, Director of the Isran Institute. The speakers shared their expertise on data verification, transparency, and citizens’ rights. The session concluded with a special lecture titled “Psychological Mechanisms of Disinformation Effects” by Professor Nicole Krämer, Professor of Social Psychology, Media, and Communication at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.
Professor Emeritus Vicha Mahakhun, Chair of the Committee for the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) of Public Sector Agencies and representative of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
Ms. Saree Aongsomwang, Secretary-General of the Office of the Consumer Council
Mr. Yingshep Atchanont, Project Manager of Internet for People’s Law (iLaw)
Mr. Prasong Lert-rattanavisuth, Director of the Isran Institute
Professor Nicole Krämer, Professor of Social Psychology, Media, and Communication at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.
This event not only showcased the strong fact-checking capabilities of the participating fact-checkers, but also reflected the collective power of the media, civil society, and youth in standing together to protect society from disinformation. It reaffirmed that “truth” is a fundamental pillar of Thai democracy as the country moves toward a transparent and fair election in 2026. All works can be accessed at www.thaipbs.or.th/FactCheckThailand2026
