PM Anutin’s alleged request to Thais to respect Cambodia found to be distorted interview
Thai PBS Verify found the piece of disinformation on: Facebook
A screenshot of the viral image on Facebook, depicting PM Anutin and PM Hun Manet of Cambodia in a handshake.
Thai PBS Verify has identified a Facebook post featuring an image of Prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime minister Hun Manet shaking hands. The caption reads: “The Prime Minister pleads with the Thai people to respect our neighbors and refrain from using harsh language against Cambodians.
The featured image is overlaid by the following message: “What are your thoughts? PM Anutin pleads with Thais to avoid harsh language toward Cambodians.”
The post has garnered 4,200 reactions, 5,600 comments and 98 shares.
The post in question actually distorted PM Anutin’s 2025 interview
Through a keyword search “Anutin asks Thais not to use harsh words against Cambodia (อนุทิน วอนอย่าใช้คำแรง กัมพูชา)”, Thai PBS Verify found a Thai PBS news segment from November 3, 2025, concerning potential treaty violations.
The actual footage features Prime minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul clarifying the border situation at the time. He remarked: “Let’s not use the term ‘obstructive.’ Ongoing dialogues are being held. Following a discussion with the Chief of Defense Forces earlier today, efforts regarding troop withdrawal and mine disposal are moving forward. While the path isn’t always smooth, we must maintain a clear goal.”
A news footage of PM Anutin from Thai PBS News on November 3, 2025.
The actual interview of PM Auntin in November 2025 (in Thai)
Furthermore, an image search via Google Lens revealed that the photo used in the post dates back to October 23, 2024. It actually depicts then-Deputy Prime minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. The meeting took place during Mr. Anutin’s visit for the 8th Meeting of the Governors of Cambodian-Thai Border Provinces, as originally published on the Ministry of Interior’s official Facebook page.
An image comparison: The photo from the misleading post (left) vs. the original source from the Ministry of Interior’s Facebook page (right).
The Thai government’s official Facebook page, ‘Thai Khu Fah (ไทยคู่ฟ้า)’ has issued a denial, confirming that the image is misleading and is actually a recycled news story dating back to 2025.
The ‘Thai Khu Fah’ page has debunked claims that the PM Anutin appealed to the Thai public to stop aggressive rhetoric against Cambodia.
What is the truth?
Thai PBS Verify has flagged the claim regarding the PM’s request to Thais for restraint toward Cambodia as misleading content. The team’s fact-checking reveals the following information:
- The PM’s actual statement: On November 3, 2025, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the Thai-Cambodian border situation, emphasizing Thailand’s readiness should any agreements be violated. He highlighted ongoing coordination regarding troop withdrawals and landmine clearance, noting that while the process may not be seamless, the objectives remain clear. There was no mention of a request to Thais to stop using harsh language as previously claimed.
- Image source: Investigation shows this is an old image taken on October 23, 2024. It depicts Mr. Anutin in his former capacity as Deputy PM and Interior Minister meeting with PM Hun Manet. The photo was originally taken at the 8th Meeting of the Governors of Cambodian-Thai Border Provinces in Phnom Penh, long before the current claims surfaced.
- Official denial: The ‘Thai Khu Fah’ page has issued a clear statement declaring both the image and the accompanying text as “untrue.” They further clarified that the content is based on old news that has been intentionally distorted.
Verification Process
- Keyword search: A search for the keywords ‘Anutin urges against harsh language toward Cambodia’ identified a match with a Thai PBS News clip titled ‘PM: Thailand Prepared to Act if Cambodia Violates Agreements,’ aired on November 3, 2025. The actual content of the clip pertains to efforts regarding landmine clearance and troop coordination, with no mention of or connection to the use of harsh language by the public.
- Image authentication: A reverse image search via Google Lens revealed that the photo used in the post dates back to an event on October 23, 2024. It depicts Mr. Anutin, in his then-capacity as Deputy Prime minister and Minister of Interior, leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
Potential impacts of disinformation
- Distortion of public understanding: The post misleads the public into believing that Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul has taken a soft or biased political stance in favor of PM Hun Manet. In reality, his remarks were limited to a request to “not use the word obstruct” specifically regarding demining operations. Such misinformation results in a significant misperception of the government’s actual diplomatic position.
- Impact on government credibility: As false claims are shared without fact-checking, they create an atmosphere of doubt. This may lead the public to second-guess the transparency and efficiency of state agencies, as well as the government’s firm position on security matters.
- Escalation of international tensions: The use of misleading language or imagery concerning Thailand and Cambodia risks inciting nationalist sentiment. Such actions can unnecessarily strain the diplomatic atmosphere and jeopardize the relationship between the two nations.
- Provoking social media hostility: Misrepresented facts often act as “fuel” for intense arguments and polarization. This encourages a culture of hate and broadens the gap between those who hold different opinions.
- Undermining trust in information sources: Repurposing old photos (e.g., from previous bilateral meetings) under false contexts blurs the lines between truth and deception. This trend complicates the audience’s ability to verify information, leading to a long-term decline in media literacy and public trust.
- Distracting from essential public interests: Rather than prioritizing the issue of landmine removal and border safety, public attention is being sidetracked by political drama and artificial disputes created by this disinformation.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Pause before you post: Resist the urge to hit share right away, no matter how convincing or appealing the post may be. Remember that misrepresented facts can go viral in an instant.
- Verify the source: Always check whether the post originates from a reputable page or website. Look for references from mainstream media or official bodies, such as government portals or established news organizations.
- Verify imagery and context: Images can often be “archived footage” or repurposed out of context (such as old photos of Thai-Cambodian summits). It is advisable to perform a reverse image search or consult original news reports to determine when the photo was actually taken.
- Read beyond the headlines: Headlines often use provocative language—such as “don’t use harsh words”—while the actual content refers to “not obstructing” within a specific context. Failing to read the full details can lead to a significant distortion of the original meaning.
- Cross-reference multiple sources: Consult various news outlets to verify if the information is consistent across different platforms. Comparing reports from multiple credible sources helps confirm the accuracy of the claim.
- Beware of emotionally charged content: Posts designed to incite anger or create polarization are often engineered to encourage impulsive sharing. Always maintain a critical mindset and verify the facts before engaging with such content.
