Busted: Don’t Fall for the Fake News – Government Sets Record Straight on 10,000 Baht Digital Wallet Scheme
DE Warns Against Believing Fake News on 10,000 Baht Digital Wallet Cancellation
Wetang Puangsap, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), warns against believing or sharing fake news on the cancellation of 10,000 baht digital wallet distribution.
September 22, 2024 – The Anti-Fake News Center monitored and reported on fake news, receiving 844,660 incoming messages between September 13 and 19, 2024. Of these, 256 messages required verification.
Fake News Categories
The DE Ministry categorized fake news into five groups:
- Group 1: Government policy, official news, social order (103 issues)
- Group 2: Health products, dangerous substances, cosmetics (30 issues)
- Group 3: Disasters (25 issues)
- Group 4: Economics (5 issues)
- Group 5: Online Crime (37 issues)
Top 10 Fake News Stories
- Announcement of cancellation of 10,000 baht digital wallet distribution
- Ministry of Public Health warns of serious influenza epidemic
- Thailand prepares for impact of water from China flowing through Mekong River
- Typhoon Bebinka warning: Thais prepare for heavy rainfall
- Every Thai person entitled to 2,000 baht from MSD in case of death
- Loophole found in government request: Scammers access Thai information
- Food heated in microwave contains electromagnetic waves, disturbing brain waves
- Papaya tea eliminates fat from intestines
- Meteorological Department warns of major temperature drop, heavy rains, and summer thunderstorms
- PEA informs electricity users of insurance sum via LINE
Debunking Fake News
The DE Ministry clarified that the announcement of the cancellation of 10,000 baht digital wallet distribution is false. The project will be implemented through two channels: the 2024 economic stimulus project and the Economic Stimulus Project 2024 for Persons with Disabilities.
The Ministry of Public Health also denied the warning of a serious influenza epidemic, stating that the flu is not more serious than usual and that drinking water does not protect against flu infection.
Reporting Fake News
Report clues, fake news, and online crimes by calling the toll-free number 1111 (24 hours a day) or via Line ID: @antifakenewscenter. Visit www.antifakenewscenter.com for more information.
