Lead Stories Thai - Politics

Fact Check: NO Evidence Thai Former Prime Minister Threatened Coalition Parties Over Entertainment Complex Bill

2025-04-29T12:55:20Z

Did former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, father of the current premier, threaten to expel government parties from the Phue Thai Party-led government coalition if their lawmakers don't vote for the entertainment complex bill? No, that's not true: The former prime minister denied making any threats, describing conversations with parties as informal opinion gatherings. Other top government officials also denied the claim.

The claim appeared in multiple TikTok videos, including one video posted on April 7, 2025 (archived here), which had the following on-screen caption, saying (translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff):

What do the coalition parties say? There is a lot of talk that Thaksin threatens that anyone who votes against or abstains will be expelled from the government

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Thu Apr 10 12:55:20 2025 UTC)

The video features a news package from PPTV 36's evening broadcast on April 7, 2025 (archived here). Although the claim has no clear origin, Thai media, including Infoquest, Manager Online, and Workpoint (archived here, here, and here), picked it up without attribution but said it was from "news reports."

The claim followed the controversial bill (archived here) dubbed an "entertainment complex bill" and a "casino bill" proposed by the government. It would introduce casino resorts at tourism spots across the country. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her allies initially sought a speedy legislative process for the bill. However, they have since postponed it after strong opposition in the form of protests and petitions.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied the rumor with reporters on April 8, 2025 (archived here), stating that while there were general discussions with the coalition parties in the past, he was only asking for each person's opinions and that nobody objected.

Other government officials have also denied the rumor.

Minister of Tourism and Sports and Phue Thai Party Secretary General Sorawong Thienthong said through the party's Facebook page on April 7, 2025 (archived here) that the claim is "completely false," and asked for evidence.

"I understand that the media must work quickly because there is high competition," he said. "But when news comes out like this, we are damaged. Who will be responsible for us? The news source in question, please find me so that I can confirm it because I am confident that Thaksin did not give an interview anywhere."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation Suriya Juangroongruangkit said on April 8, 2025, that the former prime minister wouldn't pose any threat as he wouldn't interfere with the current administration's affairs, according to ThaiRath (archived here).

Minister of Social Development and Human Security Varawut Silpa-archa said on April 8, 2025, that he was unaware of the rumor and had not seen any discussions on the matter when reporters asked about it, according to TNN News (archived here). He's the leader of Chart Thai Pattana Party, a part of the government coalition.

Thamanat Prompow, a member of the House of Representatives and advisor to Kla Tham Party, said on April 8, 2025, that he was present at the discussion and that some coalition parties said that if they agreed to vote for the bill, they should all agree, but if they didn't, they should be expelled from the coalition parties, according to Bangkok Biz News (archived here). He confirmed the former prime minister didn't say it.

Fact Check: The US Has NOT Deported 619 Thai Citizens Since President Trump Took Office

2025-02-13T15:36:49Z

Did the United States deport 619 Thai citizens since President Donald Trump took office? No, that's not true: The figure refers to individuals waiting for final removal orders in November 2024, before Trump was sworn in as U.S. President for his second term on January 20, 2025. The number of removals since Trump took office hasn't been released.

The claim appeared in a video posted on TikTok on February 1, 2025 (archived here), which had the following on-screen caption, reading (translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff):

Oh!! Thai people have been deported!!

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed Feb 13 13:36:27 2025 UTC)

The video features a screenshot of a document with a headline saying that Trump has ordered the deportation of 619 Thai citizens, for a total figure of more than a million people deported across all countries of origin. Other parts of the document are blurred, except the line that says Thailand and 619.

Lead Stories contacted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on February 6, 2025, for confirmation and the current figures. At the time of writing, the agency hadn't responded.

Lead Stories also reached out to the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., on February 6, 2025, inquiring whether it has been in communication with the U.S. government regarding the deportation of Thai citizens.

The embassy hadn't responded to the inquiry at the time of writing. However, the Thai embassy's consular department posted on its Facebook page (archived here) shortly after Lead Stories' inquiry that "the data was not true."

"Because in the past, the Royal Thai Embassy and Consulate General have never been contacted by the relevant agencies of the United States to request the issuance of travel documents for Thai nationals to travel back to Thailand," adds the post.

(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Wed Feb 13 15:14:50 2025 UTC)

The number 619 refers to Thai citizens who were among more than 1,445,549 foreign nationals that were on ICE's non-detained docket with final orders of removal as of November 24, 2024. The document was exclusively obtained by Fox News (archived here), and was posted to its website on December 11, 2024 (archived here).

The document doesn't show how many people have been deported. Since the document referred to November 2024, it was still under former President Joe Biden's administration, not Trump's.

ICE and related agencies haven't released a specific number of Thai citizens removed since Trump took office. According to ICE's statistics (archived here), between October 2020 and September 2024, 95 Thai nationals were arrested, 97 detained, and 65 removed.

Fact Check: Russian President Putin Was NOT Ordained As A Buddhist Monk To Honour Thai King Rama IX

2024-12-06T08:27:06Z

Was Russian President Vladimir Putin ordained as a Buddhist monk "to pay respect to Rama IX," the late Thai King? No, that's not true. An image shared in a clip circulating on TikTok, portraying Putin in a yellow monk robe, has been generated using AI, as confirmed to Lead Stories by his creator.

The claim appeared in a video published on TikTok on October 13, 2024 (archived here), allegedly showing President Putin ordained as a Buddhist monk. It opened with an image of a Buddhist monk who looks like the president of Russia, accompanied by a text in Thai that reads, translated into English by Lead Stories staff:

Putin was ordained as a Buddhist monk to pay respects to King Rama IX.

It then continues with several old clips of King Rama IX performing royal duties. Several hashtags in Thai are used, among which, translated into English, #With deep respect and remembrance of the royal grace, #King Rama IX.

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Mon Dec 2 08:27:06 2024 UTC)

Lead Stories ran the image through Sightengine, an AI image detection tool. The tool indicated a 77 percent likelihood that the image had been AI-generated, as shown below.

(Source: Sightengine screenshot taken on Sat Nov 3014:00:00 2024 UTC)

According to the government-run Thai News Agency (archived here), the origin of the image can be traced to a Facebook page called 'AI Creatives Thailand' (archived here), where it was first published on March 19, 2023, by a Thai account, with the name of Tongsuke Suwannakij, as transliterated into English by Lead Stories.

Lead Stories reached out to the account owner on November 28, 2024, via the Messenger app, and Tongsuke Suwannakij replied, explaining that he had created the image using Midjourney, a program to create AI images. He had generated several pictures of Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden, in Buddhist monk robes, sitting in a hall with other monks meditating or praying, including the one shared in the TikTok video, he added. He had named his AI art collection "When the two leaders withdrew to be ordained as Buddhist monks," as translated by Lead Stories staff.

Tongsuke has now deleted this collection of images from the Facebook page. Tongsuke told Lead Stories, also via Messenger, that the photos on 'AI Creatives Thailand' had been hidden by Facebook because they had been widely reposted on Thai social media and interpreted as real, leading to misunderstanding. He then removed the whole collection from the 'AI Creatives Thailand' page. "Posting it this way has gone too far," Tongsuke told Lead Stories regarding the image shown in the TikTok video.

Fact Check: Thailand Is NOT Granting Citizenship To Migrants From Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam

2024-11-14T08:19:11Z

Did Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's cabinet approve a proposal to grant citizenship to people from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam? No, that's not true: It's a different target group. The target for a new measure is minority ethnic groups and stateless people.

The claim appeared in a video posted on TikTok on October 30, 2024 (archived here), and had the following caption (translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff):

Save: Granting citizenship to aliens is a national security risk for Thailand. #PleaseLike

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Thu Oct 31 12:19:11 2024 UTC)

The post also has an on-screen caption, as translated, stating, "Latest news, the cabinet has approved granting Thai citizenship to 483,000 aliens, encouraging the Interior Ministry to get it done in 60 days."

The video sarcastically said Thailand is very kind in giving out its citizenship. The narrator pointed to Choi Young-seok, known as "Coach Choi," the head coach of the Thailand Taekwondo National who got his Thai citizenship on October 3, 2024, according to the Royal Gazette (archived here), despite being here for years.

The narrator said that aliens from Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia will get citizenship within 60 days, noting that Thailand will be like the United States one day.

The claim stemmed from a decision from the cabinet meeting on October 29, 2024, which was to streamline the citizenship process for 483,626 migrants from 19 targeted ethnic minority groups who have been in Thailand for a long time, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's press conference after the meeting (archived here). She said the standard process would take 270 days, but that will be changed to five days.

That doesn't mean anyone from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, or any country would get Thai citizenship within five days.

The new measure is explicitly for the 483,626 people who already have their citizenship consideration pending, according to the cabinet's meeting consensus from October 29, 2024. (archived here). These are people of ethnic minority groups who have been in the country for a long time and their children. It noted that the Office of the National Security Council has already endorsed the measure.

According to the eligibility criteria (archived here), the person must have been living in Thailand continuously for 15 years, must have migrated to the country before 1999, must have a 13-digit identification number, and must not have citizenship with any other country.

Government Spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said at an October 29, 2024, press conference (archived here) that the cabinet has sent the measure to the Ministry of Interior for execution within 30 days, and it will be in effect 60 days after the official announcement.

Fact Check: Thailand Has NOT Increased Its Monthly State Allowance For All Senior Citizens To 1,000 Baht

2024-11-07T08:19:59Z

Did the Thai government change the monthly state allowance for senior citizens from a sliding scale by age to 1,000 baht for all? No, that's not true: It was just a proposal from February 2024 that had no legal effect yet. Also, there hasn't been much progress on the proposal since its initial green light.

The claim appeared in a video (archived here) posted on TikTok on September 30, 2024, with the following on-screen caption (translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff):

Got some good news to tell. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is set to give 1,000 baht senior citizen allowance.

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed Oct 16 12:19:59 2024 UTC)

The 36-second video continued, adding how the Ministry (MSDHS) is prepared to propose a 1,000 baht allowance for all older adults to a "committee." The video also stated that Minister of Social Development and Human Security Varawut Silpa-archa (archived here) chaired a meeting by the Sub-Committee for the Promotion of Government Welfare, which has approved four proposals including one on the allowance increase.

This is old news recirculating. The sub-committee's meeting took place on February 21, 2024, according to the MSDHS (archived here). But this TikTok video and other videos (archived here and here) with the same voiceover were posted towards the end of September 2024 and the beginning of October 2024.

According to the MSDHS, the February 2024 meeting approved four main proposals: Universal child care allowance, adjustment to the age limit for child care centers, universal senior citizen allowance, and disability allowance.

However, that approval was just an initial step needed before the proposals could go before the Committee to Solve The People's Movement's Problems for a Just Society, as translated by Lead Stories staff. After that, they will have to be presented before the cabinet, which hasn't happened yet. The initial approval had no legal effect but served as the sub-committee's recommendation.

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society corroborated this in a post on October 9, 2024 (archived here), debunking a similar claim that the Comptroller General's Department will send a 1,000 baht payment to all senior citizens on October 10, 2024. It said the proposal is in the process of being presented to the cabinet.

The current welfare structure for senior citizens follows the 2023 Ministry of Interior's Regulations on the Criteria for Payment of Elderly Allowances by Local Administrative Organizations (archived here).

The payment of the monthly elderly welfare allowance is based on age groups: 600 baht for those 60-69 years old, 700 baht for 70-79, 800 baht for 80-89, and 1,000 baht for those over 90, according to the Department of Older Persons (archived here).

Fact Check: Thailand Did NOT Pass New Law To Grant Birthright Citizenship For Migrants' Children

2024-10-09T11:40:12Z

Did Thailand pass a new law to grant birthright citizenship to children of migrants from Myanmar born in Thailand? No, that's not true: The country withdrew its reservation to an article of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Officials said this move would enhance protections for young non-citizens.

The claim appeared in a video posted on TikTok on August 8, 2024 (archived here).

The video had the following caption (translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff):

#Green Screen #Alien Labor Getting Thai Citizenship #Same Benefits As Thai People #Aliens #Burmese Labor #Ministry of Social Development and Human Security #Varawut Silpa-archa #Thailand #Political News

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Thu Sep 12 11:40:12 2024 UTC)

The video features a man addressing Varawut Silpa-archa (archived here), the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, against the backdrop of an official announcement (archived here) from the Department of Children and Youth. The announcement, as translated, read: "Thailand withdraws its reservation on Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, enhancing children's protections."

In the video, the man claims that if a laborer from Myanmar gives birth in Thailand, the child will receive Thai citizenship with the same legal status and benefits as Thai citizens. He questions why the Thai government would prioritize non-citizens over citizens and asks viewers if they agree with "the new law."

The legal changes referenced in the video pertain to Thailand's withdrawal of its reservation about Article 22 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to a Department of Children and Youth's announcement from August 31, 2024 (archived here), this withdrawal is not a new law but a decision made by the cabinet on July 9, 2024, following a proposal by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (archived here) was signed by 140 countries on November 20, 1989, according to the UN (archived here). Thailand ratified the Convention on March 27, 1992, according to the UN (archived here).

Article 22 of the Convention states:

1. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child who is seeking refugee status or who is considered a refugee in accordance with applicable international or domestic law and procedures shall, whether unaccompanied or accompanied by his or her parents or by any other person, receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance in the enjoyment of applicable rights set forth in the present Convention and in other international human rights or humanitarian instruments to which the said States are Parties.

2. For this purpose, States Parties shall provide, as they consider appropriate, co-operation in any efforts by the United Nations and other competent intergovernmental organizations or non-governmental organizations co-operating with the United Nations to protect and assist such a child and to trace the parents or other members of the family of any refugee child in order to obtain information necessary for reunification with his or her family. In cases where no parents or other members of the family can be found, the child shall be accorded the same protection as any other child permanently or temporarily deprived of his or her family environment for any reason, as set forth in the present Convention.

Neither the Convention nor the Department of Children and Youth's announcement mentioned granting citizenship to the children of laborers. Minister Silpa-archa addressed this in his TikTok post on August 9, 2024 (archived here), clarifying that the decision has been completely misunderstood.

Silpa-archa explained that Article 22 focuses on protecting children so they can develop physically and mentally. He noted that Thailand was the last country among the Convention's parties to withdraw its reservation to the Article. The Royal Thai Government corroborated this in a separate news release featuring Silpa-archa on September 9, 2024 (archived here).

"On the other hand, if there's a Thai person or a Thai child in hardship in foreign countries ... those countries must take care of the Thai kid just like their own kids, but not granting their citizenship," the minister added in the video, as translated.

Thailand's Nationality Act of 1965, amended in 2008, (archived here) specifies that a person born in Thailand does not receive citizenship if their parents entered and resided in the country illegally, were granted a temporary stay, or received leniency for temporary residence as a specific case.

On the reservation withdrawal, the UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia released a statement on September 6, 2024 (archived here), welcoming the decision and stating that it will "greatly enhance the protection of the human rights of refugee and asylum-seeking children in Thailand."

Fact Check: Severe Floods In Thailand NOT Caused By Weir Budget Cut And Move Forward Party's Vote

2024-09-20T11:52:35Z

Did the now-dissolved Move Forward Party cause floods in Thailand by voting to cut the budget for weir construction projects? No, that's not true: Floods in August 2024 were caused by excessive rainfall from two monsoons passing through the country. Additionally, the cut for the weir construction project was a broader parliamentary decision, not an act of the MFP alone.

The claim appeared in a video that was posted on TikTok on August 26, 2024 (archived here).

It had the following caption (translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff):

Cutting weir construction budget. #Flooding2024 #TikTokNews #MoveForwardParty #WeirCollapsing #TheMask

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed Sep 4 11:52:35 2024 UTC)

The video features footage of flooding with an overlay text saying, as translated, "Who is responsible?" and "Proud to have cut the weir construction budget but the people are in trouble." It also features Surachet Pravinvongvuth, a Bangkok member of Parliament from the former MFP, saying, as translated, that the party was proud to have proposed cutting this budget item because it saved the people's money.

The claim alluded to 1,255 million baht for the cement-core weir construction project by the Department of Local Administration under the Ministry of Interior that appeared in the proposal for the fiscal year 2025 budget earlier this year (archived here).

First, the severe flooding that hit Thailand in August 2024, was caused by excessive rainfall between August 14-21, 2024, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. The agency posted on its Facebook page (archived here) on August 25, 2024, that it was due to the influence of two monsoons, with strong power at times, that passed through Thailand in the north and northwest.

"This causes continuous rain almost every day with rainfall being heavy to very heavy in some days, especially in the mountainous areas," the agency wrote, as translated. "This results in a huge amount of water rapidly flowing into the main river basins."

On the weir construction project, while it was true the opposition MFP party proposed to reject it, other parties including the ruling Pheu Thai Party joined in voting it down, according to a Parliamentary meeting on March 21, 2024 (archived here) recorded by The National Assembly Radio and Television Broadcasting Station.

The 1,255-million-baht item was in Article 20 of the budget bill under the Ministry of Interior. The Ad-Hoc Committee on the Annual Appropriations Bill Budget recommended an amendment to take the item out, after the committee questioned its necessity and transparency, according to committee meeting minutes (archived here) from February 13, 2024.

In the Parliamentary meeting on March 21, 2024, the government and the opposition parties clashed over the rejection of the funding for the construction project. When a motion to adopt the committee's recommendations went before members for a vote, though, it passed with 427-1 votes, with two abstentions, according to voting records (archived here). This means every party voted in favor of cutting the budget for the weir construction project. Another motion to pass the Ministry of Interior's overall budget that included the cut, passed with 270-157 votes, with five abstentions, according to the same voting records.

Initially opposing the cut, Pheu Thai Party released a statement on Facebook (archived here) on March 22, 2024, after voting, instead, in favor of the cut, stating that the party rejected the cut in the committee meeting but lost to the majority, so it decided to "look at the big picture" and passed the amendment to speed up the budget process for the good of the people.

Additionally, Member of Parliament Karit Pannaim, an engineer who has a background in weir construction, said in an interview with The Reporters (archived here) on August 26, 2024, that the goal of constructing a weir is to save water for drought seasons, not to prevent floods because weirs are usually constructed lower than river banks.

Fact Check: Thai Government's Digital Wallet Application Is SAFE And Protects Users' Data

2024-09-03T08:52:24Z

Is the Thai government's application for distributing 10,000 baht to eligible citizens unsafe to use and could it lead to information leaks? No, that's not true: Officials have repeatedly ensured its safety. Government agencies confirmed the application is as safe as other banking applications used in Thailand.

The claim appeared in a video on TikTok posted on August 2, 2024 (archived here), with the following caption (translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff):

Digital Wallet registration isn't really safe.

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Tue Aug 13 14:52:24 2024 UTC)

In the video, former Member of Parliament Mongkolkit Suksintharanon says the registration to the government-developed digital wallet application "is quite dangerous" as people have to provide personal information such as images of their national identification card, face scans, and passwords. He also claimed more than 20 million people have registered so far.

"If they don't keep your secret well, if they give out our personal information, they can access your bank accounts as well," Mongkolkit continued, as translated by Lead Stories staff, "I don't think it's really safe."

The Thai government's "Digital Wallet" scheme was a campaign promise (archived here) aimed to give 10,000 baht to 50 million citizens to be spent at local businesses, a measure intended to give a boost to the economy, according to its description in an AP article. The online registration for the monetary handout opened on August 1, 2024, through an application called "Tang Rath" ("state" as translated by Lead Stories staff).

According to the program website (archived here), people need national identification numbers, names, birth dates, and an image of their faces to register. They would then be prompted to create a username, password, and PIN to access the account in order to receive the digital wallet stipend.

In response to the security concerns, the Digital Government Development Agency under the Office of Prime Minister said on its website on August 4, 2024 (archived here) that the government needs to be able to verify that the person registering is a real citizen by looking at their face and ID card information to make sure that they match.

The agency said this is a measure called IAL 2.3, a verification technology similar to the one used by banks in Thailand. This measure is also in accordance with the announcement of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (archived here). According to the agency, personal information can only be accessed by state agencies and the owner of the information.

Additionally, the agency ensured that the application doesn't connect with any bank accounts and doesn't store any bank account information.

Rudklao Suwankiri, the deputy government spokesperson, said through the Royal Thai Government website on August 9, 2024 (archived here), that the application is in line with international standards regarding "security, reliability, stability, and continuous serviceability." She also said the government has acknowledged all opinions and taken careful consideration to resolve possible safety concerns.

With former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin removed from office on August 14, 2024 (archived here), the continuation of the cash handout scheme is in limbo. Newly-elected Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra talked about the policy when asked during her first press conference (archived here) on August 18, 2024. She said every policy needs to be discussed with the government coalition first. She added the government still intends to push for a major economic stimulus but needs to "listen to different opinions" on how to best do that.

On August 28, 2024, caretaker Deputy Finance Minister Phaopoom Rojanasakul said at a "Thailand Focus 2024" lecture that the handout will likely continue, but asked that the people wait for the new government's official policy statement that will be read before the Parliament after the Prime Minister and her cabinet are sworn in, according to Bangkok Biz News (archived here). Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the new Prime Minister's father, also said on August 22, 2024, that his daughter will likely continue the plan, Bangkok Post reported (archived here).

At the time of writing, the application remains available on Apple Store and Play Store (archived here and here), and the program website remains operational. The registration period ends on September 15, 2024.

Fact Check: The MFP Party Did NOT Appeal Its Dissolution Case With The International Court Of Justice

2024-08-21T14:35:25Z

Did the now-shuttered Move Forward Party appeal the Thai court's ruling to dissolve it with the International Court of Justice? No, that's not true: The court doesn't have jurisdiction over Thailand's judiciary system and has no power to overturn its ruling. Former party members formed a new party called The People's Party.

The claim appeared in a video posted on TikTok on August 14, 2024, which is no longer available on the platform but is archived here, and had the following caption (translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff):

Waiting for the appeal of the World Court⚖️#Move Forward #Court of Appeal #World Court #People's Party #Tim Pita #PitaLimjaroenrat #TengNattaphong #SirikanyaTansakul #BreakingNews #HotTrend

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed Aug 21 14:35:25 2024 UTC)

The video also features a headline that says, as translated: "Move Forward Party cheers!! The International Court of Justice has taken up the matter of dissolving the Move Forward Party for consideration in the Court of Appeals with a high chance of victory" and a text that says "Victory! Court agrees to hear the appeal."

The claim followed the dissolution of the MFP, a party seen as progressive and reformist, by an order from the Thai Constitutional Court issued on August 7, 2024. The court ruled (archived here) that its push to amend the lèse-majesté laws during its campaigning mounted an attempt to overthrow the monarchy. The party finished first during the 2023 general election (archived here).

The claim is false, however. The International Court of Justice only settles legal disputes between two countries and gives opinions on legal questions referred to it by specialized agencies and the United Nations, according to its website (archived here). It doesn't settle disputes within one country.

Only states - not individuals, non-governmental organizations, corporations, or any other private entity- can submit cases to the court. All member states of the UN, including Thailand, are eligible. This means the court has no jurisdiction to deal with Thailand's judiciary matters.

As of August 21, 2024, at the time of writing, such a case wasn't listed on the International Court of Justice's pending cases page on its website (archived here).

Additionally, former Move Forward Party members of Parliament have formed a new party called "The People's Party." Former Move Forward Party Leader Pita Limjaroenrat also announced on his Medium page (archived here) that he will take on the role of Visiting Democracy Fellow at Harvard University beginning in the fall 2024 semester.

"As my political tenure has come to a close, I am fully committed to using this opportunity to reflect on the experiences and challenges I encountered during my time in office," wrote Limjaroenrat, who faced a 10-year political ban order from the Thai court.

Fact Check: Cambodia Is NOT Preparing Military In Borderland Dispute With Thailand

2024-03-27T14:21:25Z

Is Cambodia reinforcing its military near Thailand's border following tension around a disputed island called Koh Kood? No, that's not true: There is no substantive evidence supporting this claim. Videos circulating on TikTok claiming to show military activity in the area appear to be old footage of past military exercises and military parade preparation.

A video on TikTok posted by @noknakav2 on January 30, 2024 (archived here), had the caption (translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff):

Cambodia is ready, collecting new modern weapons from China. Soon to Koh Kood. Hoping Thailand won't surrender like Prasat Preah Vihear

This is what the first post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Tue Mar 26 12:14:25 2024 UTC)

In the video, a narrator commented on the area between Cambodia and Thailand known as the Thailand-Cambodia Overlapping Claims Area (OCA). It featured video footage of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaking at a Parliament meeting on January 3, 2024, about ongoing talks regarding the OCA with Cambodia. The video was part of a Thai Public Broadcast Service's program called "Keep Up With The World," which aired on January 25, 2024 (archived here). Prasat Preah Vihear refers to Preah Vihear Temple in Cambodia. Thailand and Cambodia have fought over its ownership for more than 100 years.

The second half of the video featured rows of military vehicles, tanks and military personnel. Cambodian flags can be seen throughout the video. An "Asian Military" watermark was embedded in the video. The caption suggests that Cambodia got new weapons from China to prepare for an occupation of the island Koh Kood.

As reported by the Phnom Penh Post (archived here and here), Cambodia and China have a strong military partnership, but there is no reported evidence that Cambodia is preparing and staging new weapons in the area to attack Thailand. Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet's speech on January 24, 2024 (archived here), to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces only referred to the need to strengthen the army to maintain peace within the country and the region and respond to threats from terrorism. He did not mention Thailand in his remarks.

According to the Khmer Times report (archived here), the prime minister stated that "Cambodia has no ambition to invade anyone." Furthermore, there is no news of a possible military escalation with Thailand in the Cambodian press, and no comments from international security missions and observers including the United Nations, which would not be the case if a military escalation between the two countries was real.

Thai Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang told local media March 21, 2024 (archived here), before his visit to Cambodia, that he has spoken, both officially and unofficially, with Cambodian officials, and the topic of Koh Kood never came up. He said the island is 100 percent Thai-owned.

Lead Stories contacted the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh with questions about this claim. This fact check will be updated, if appropriate, if the agencies respond.

Lead Stories wasn't able to determine the origin of video featured in the second half of the post showing military vehicles and personnel. Reverse image searches resulted in similar videos, but no exact match. However, from looking at angles, locations and clues in the background from different pictures and videos here, here and here (archived here, here and here), it appears to be from a preparation ahead of a military parade to mark the army's 25th anniversary in January 2024.

Fact Check: Thai Rapid Deployment Force NOT Deployed To Israel As Of October 23, 2023

2023-10-23T13:47:02Z

Was the Thai army's Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) deployed to Israel? No, that's not true: Only the Royal Thai Air Force has been engaged in repatriating Thai nationals from the conflict zone at the time of writing. An official statement from the Thai military regarding the deployment of the RDF to Israel has not been made yet.

The claim appeared in a video (archived here) on TikTok on October 9, 2023, under the title (translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff) "Rapid deployment force Thailand go to Israel." It opens:

Rapid Deployment Force Thailand ready to go to Israel

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Mon Oct 23 16:07:02 2023 UTC)

The Thailand Rapid Deployment Force is a swiftly mobilized military or police unit prepared for rapid deployment during emergencies. Contrary to the TikTok video's claim that the force was dispatched to Israel to assist Thai citizens, there is no official statement confirming such a deployment.

Instead, the Royal Thai Air Force announced its mission to evacuate Thai nationals from Israel on three separate flights, with the first flight repatriating 130 Thais. The A340-500 aircraft embarked on its inaugural mission on October 14, 2023, and safely returned to Thailand on October 16, 2023.

Approximately 30,000 Thais reside in Israel, with many of them working as migrant workers. According to news reports, at least 30 Thais have lost their lives since the attacks. Reuters has confirmed that Hamas has captured 19 Thai hostages.