Fake News Fact-Checked: Owner of “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” Page Is Not Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja
Thai PBS Verify found the source of the disinformation on Facebook
Following the widespread page “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat”, which had previously posted claims predicting a “mega-flood” in the Eastern
region within 120 hours, as well as severe flooding impacting Bangkok and the surrounding metropolitan area due to torrential downpours between September 24–27, 2026, shortly before floods occurred in several parts of the capital and metropolitan areas.
After that, the post later claimed that the owner of the page was Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, former Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department.
The post asserted that
Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja (“Tee Lom Fah Ar-kat”) is a former Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department and former head of the National Disaster Warning Center, a prominent figure widely known for his commentary on natural disasters.
This post accumulated over 3,300 likes and was published on September 28, 2026.
Is the Owner of the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” Page Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja?
Keyword searches revealed a statement from the spokesperson for the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation clarifying that the owner of the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page is not Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, former chairman of the foundation, contrary to rumors and speculation currently circulating online claiming his ownership.
The statement reveals as follows.
Confirming that… Tee Lom Fah is NOT “Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja”, former Chairman of the Executive Board of the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation.
Noppadol Makthong,
Spokesperson for the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation
Post from the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation.
Dr. Smith’s Wife Confirms He Is Not the Owner of the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” Page
Thai PBS Verify reached out directly to Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja. His wife confirmed that Dr. Smith is not the owner of the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page, and he is currently bedridden.
“Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” Page Pushes Back, Clarifying It Is Not Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja
Meanwhile, the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page posted a statement on Facebook confirming that the administrator is not Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja.
Who Is Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja?
Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, currently 88 years old, is a former Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department.
He served two terms in Department, from October 1, 1989, to August 31, 1992, and from October 1, 1993, to September 30, 1997.
Dr. Smith played a major role in disaster management and warning systems in Thailand as the founder and former Chairman of the Executive Board of the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation.
Photo by the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation.
According to a report by Prachatai, back in 1998, Smith Dharmasaroja was the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport, former Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department, and a member of the National Earthquake Committee. He analyzed geological data and warned that a massive tsunami could strike the Andaman Coast. Years later, on December 26, 2004, a devastating tsunami hit several southern provinces following a powerful earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Dr.Smith Dharmasaroja has held several high-level government positions. Under the Office of the Prime Minister, he served as Vice Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Advisor to the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Chairman of the National Disaster Warning Directorate, and Chairman of the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation.
Within the Ministry of Transport, his roles included Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport, Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department, and Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department.
What is the truth?
Fact-Checked that the owner of the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page is not Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, contrary to claims currently circulating online. The National Disaster Warning Council Foundation confirmed that Dr. Smith, who previously served as chairman of the foundation, is not the page’s owner. Furthermore, Dr. Smith’s wife gave a matching statement to Thai PBS Verify, confirming that he has no affiliation with the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page.
Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja has an extensive professional background in meteorology and disaster warning systems. A former Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department, he played a prominent role in early-warning advocacy, notably raising public awareness regarding tsunami risks well prior to the catastrophic event on December 26, 2004.
Verification Process
1. Keyword searches: Statements from the spokesperson of the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation clarified that the owner of the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page is not Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, former chairman of the foundation, refuting current online speculation claiming his ownership.
2.Direct inquiry with involved parties: Thai PBS Verify reached out to Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, and his wife confirmed that Dr. Smith is not the owner of the “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page, adding that he is currently bedridden.
3.Checking the source page: The “Tee’ Lom Fah Ar-kat” page posted a statement on Facebook confirming that the administrator is not Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja.
Impact of Receiving This Type of Misinformation
1.Misleading the public into believing information originates from an expert: Linking the name of Dr. Smith, who has a well-established background in meteorology and disaster warning, to the page can lead audiences to assume the published content comes directly from him or carries expert endorsement, when that is not the case.
2.Lending undue credibility to unverified information: When content is tied to a prominent figure in the disaster safety sector, audiences are more likely to believe or share it without verifying the source and supporting evidence, ultimately triggering public panic during disaster events.
3.Damaging the credibility of the referenced individual: Associating Dr. Smith’s name with content he did not release can create misconceptions regarding his role or official position, as well as lead the public to mistakenly believe he published or vouched for the information.
What to do with this misinformation?
When encountering instances where the name of an individual, expert, or former official is linked to a page or content shared on social media, verify first whether that person actually published or endorsed the information by checking official communication channels and reputable news sources.
In cases involving Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja, always cross-reference information with relevant sources before believing or sharing it. Attributing content to an individual who had no hand in its release distorts both the person’s true involvement and the actual origin of the information.
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