Image of “Sondhi Rally” Is Not Current. But Footage Dates Back to 2025
Thai PBS Verify found the disinformation from: Facebook
Thai PBS Verify identified a Facebook account sharing a photo of a protest crowd accompanied by the text “Sondhi’s rally has arrived. A truly massive turnout.”
The post received 1,000 reactions, 354 comments, and over 30 shares.
Was this event real?
Thai PBS Verify conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens and found that the photo matched news coverage showing the Network of Students and People Reforming Thailand (NSPRT) and the Dhamma Army marching to submit a petition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding that Thai authorities take a clear stand on resolving the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute. The report was originally published on June 9, 2025, by Top News.
A comparison between the image featured in the post (left) and the photo published by TopNews (right).
Furthermore, Thai PBS Verify utilized Google Maps to verify the location in the image, confirming that it was taken along Phitsanulok Road heading to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A comparison between the image featured in the post (left) and the street view from Google Maps (right).
However, Thai PBS Verify reached out to Nusser Yeemahd, one of the NSPRT leaders appearing in the protest photograph, who clarified that the image in question depicts the demonstration marching to submit a petition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding a clear stance on resolving the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, back in 2025. He confirmed that it does not represent any present-day event whatsoever.
What Is the Current Situation?
On September 7, 2026, Sondhi Limthongkul, with NSPRT leaders, held a press conference outlining their movement’s trajectory under the banner “Reclaim Our Thailand“. The campaign aims to eradicate foreign capital influence and grey-market operations, while leveling sharp criticism at the government administration and highlighting multiple alleged corruption scandals, including local civil service exam fraud, the Senate collusive voting case, the Khao Kradong land dispute, and data center investment projects.
After that, on September 10, 2026, the group plans to submit a petition at the Israeli Embassy. On September 14, they will closely monitor Election Commission actions regarding the Senate collusion case, warning that any attempt to stifle the investigation will trigger a call for a major mass rally. Furthermore, the leadership is preparing to expose details regarding 10 new Ministry of Commerce regulations, which they argue could pave the way for foreign enterprises to operate locally at the expense of Thai SMEs.
What is the truth?
Thai PBS Verify confirmed that the photo depicting a crowd of protesters, which is claimed on Facebook to show an ongoing “Sondhi Rally,” captures an event from June 9, 2025. The image shows the NSPRT and the Dhamma Army marching to deliver a petition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging the government to assert a definitive stance on the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute. Key NSPRT leaders confirmed that the photo is from a past demonstration, not a current gathering. However, political activities led by Sondhi Limthongkul in September 2026 are indeed taking place, including the announcement of the “Reclaim Our Thailand” campaign and plans to rally at the Israeli Embassy on September 10, 2026. Consequently, the post misused archival imagery within a present-day context, creating a misleading impression regarding the timeline of events.
Verification Process
- Verify using Google Lens: Running the photo through Google Lens revealed that it matched news coverage of the NSPRT and Dhamma Army mobilizing to submit a petition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging Thai authorities to take a decisive stand on resolving the Thailand-Cambodia border issue, which was published on June 9, 2025, by Top News.
- Location verification via Google Maps: Cross-referencing the spatial details using Google Maps confirmed the location as Phitsanulok Road, heading toward the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Verification through the sources: Thai PBS Verify contacted Nusser Yeemahd, one of the NSPRT leaders present in the photograph, who clarified that the image captures the march to present a petition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute back in 2025, confirming it does not portray current events.
Impact of Disinformation
- Distorting public perception of the current political situation: Misleading audiences into believing a mass demonstration or political rally is taking place today, when the visuals stem from a past event.
- Sowing panic and confusion: especially among viewers who encounter the footage without proper context or timestamping.
- กระตุ้นความขัดแย้งทางการเมือง จากการรับรู้ข้อมูลที่ไม่ถูกต้องและนำไปแสดงความคิดเห็นหรือถกเถียงต่อInflaming political tensions: based on false premises and misconstrued information.
- Accelerating the spread of false claims: Driving social media users to forward the post under the mistaken belief that it reflects ongoing real-time developments.
- Eroding trust in media and news accuracy: Creating confusion over what is genuine, making it harder for the public to discern accurate timelines and factual events.
- Providing fodder for deceptive narratives: to be manipulated to shape public opinion on contemporary political situations.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Check the date and context of images before believing or sharing, especially regarding news photos or political developments.
- Cross-reference information with reputable news outlets to ascertain whether the event depicted is taking place today or originates from a past occurrence.
- Utilize Reverse Image Search tools to trace where the photograph was previously published and clarify its original context.
- Refrain from quick sharing or forwarding content until its accuracy can be independently verified.
- Corroborate details across multiple sources, paying close attention to timestamps, geographic locations, and key individuals featured in the imagery.
- Cease further dissemination immediately upon discovering misinformation or misleading claims, and consider flagging the content directly to the platform.
