AI-generated rally image falsely claims protest at Thai Government House
Thai PBS Verify found this fake image on Facebook
A misleading post on Facebook
Thai PBS Verify traced the image to a Facebook post that claimed large numbers of people from across Thailand had gathered peacefully in front of the Thai Government House to urge the government to reduce taxes, utility bills and fuel costs, including a proposed cut of 10 baht per litre for all types of fuel. The post, published on Nov 7, 2026, received more than 120,000 reactions.
According to the post, the demonstration reflected growing public frustration over rising living expenses, including electricity, water and fuel bills, as household incomes struggled to keep pace. It also suggested the government was considering the protesters’ demands.
AI detection points to fabricated image
Thai PBS Verify examined the image using Hive Moderation, an AI-detection platform, which found a 99.9% likelihood that it had been generated by artificial intelligence. The analysis further suggested the image was likely created using ChatGPT’s image-generation technology.
A separate review using OpenAI’s AI detection tools found a digital watermark indicating that the image had been produced using OpenAI’s AI systems.
Results of the AI image analysis
Visual inconsistencies identified
Investigators compared the viral image with photographs of the actual Government House complex and found significant differences in building details and surrounding elements, indicating that the scene was not authentic.
Left, AI-generated image; right, actual Government House
Further irregularities were found in the image itself. Several individuals appeared with distorted arms, faces and other facial features, while some body proportions looked unnatural.
Examples of image abnormalities
Another noticeable flaw involved the hands of protesters holding flags. Fingers appeared misshapen, disproportionate and unrealistic, a common characteristic of AI-generated images.
Abnormal hand details in the image
Location details do not match
Thai PBS Verify also compared aerial views of the Government House area with a video published on Facebook by Kwang Trisulee Trisoranakul in 2024 to assess whether the location shown in the image matched the real site.
Investigators additionally reviewed aerial photographs published by Manager Online in 2013 showing People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) supporters gathering on the lawn outside Thai Khu Fah Building at Government House. When compared with the viral image, the layout and visual elements did not correspond, further indicating that the image had been artificially generated.
Comparison of areas surrounding Government House
Map of the area
The verdict
Thai PBS Verify concluded that the image purportedly showing a mass protest outside Government House demanding lower living costs and fuel prices was created using AI and does not depict a real event.
Verification Process
- AI-detection tools found a 99.9% probability that the image was AI-generated.
- Comparisons with real photographs of Government House revealed differences in buildings and scene composition.
- Distortions in faces, arms and hands provided additional evidence of AI generation.
- Checks against reference images and videos of the area showed inconsistencies in location details and surrounding features.
Potential impact of the false claim
- It may mislead the public into believing that a large-scale political protest actually took place outside Government House.
- It can create a false impression of Thailand’s political situation and public sentiment towards the government.
- It may cause unnecessary concern or misunderstanding about the country’s political and social circumstances.
- It can encourage public debate and commentary based on information that does not reflect a real event.
- It undermines trust in information shared on social media and makes it more difficult for people to distinguish between authentic photographs and AI-generated images.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Verify the source of both the image and accompanying claims before sharing, particularly posts related to political demonstrations or public affairs.
- Check whether reputable news organisations or relevant authorities have reported the same event.
- Look closely for irregularities in the image, such as distorted faces, hands, fingers, arms, text or location features, which may indicate AI manipulation.
- If an image or claim cannot be independently verified, avoid sharing it or presenting it as a genuine event to prevent misleading others and contributing to the spread of misinformation.
