Government Brands Viral Government House Protest Images Fake News
The Thai government has declared viral images showing large protests at Government House to be fake news. Deputy Spokesperson Ploytale Laksaemchan warned that sharing such misinformation or inciting unrest carries penalties of up to seven years in prison. A protest ban within 50 meters of Government House remains in effect through November 20, 2026.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytale Laksaemchan confirmed that images circulating online showing large crowds gathering at Government House are fake. She urged the public to verify information before sharing and warned that those inciting unrest face up to seven years in prison. The government emphasized it does not reject scrutiny from any sector.
On November 8, 2026, Deputy Spokesperson Ploytale Laksaemchan of the Prime Minister's Office revealed that the Metropolitan Police Bureau had issued an order prohibiting public assemblies within a 50-meter radius of Government House from 00:01 on November 5, 2026, until 24:00 on November 20, 2026, to maintain public safety and orderly assembly management. She noted that protest groups had announced overnight stays in areas belonging to several state agencies, including schools, and that their activities could affect commuters, disrupt education, block access to Government House, and threaten public safety and order.
Ploytale added that verification found claims of large numbers of people gathering at Government House to be untrue. She appealed for public cooperation in checking the accuracy of information and photos before sharing to prevent misinformation and widespread confusion.
She warned that disseminating images or messages from protest groups that constitute incitement may violate: 1) Criminal Code Section 116 (incitement) — up to seven years imprisonment for causing public unrest or encouraging lawbreaking; and 2) Computer Crime Act Section 14 — up to five years imprisonment or a 100,000 baht fine, or both, for knowingly importing false or distorted data threatening national security or public safety into a computer system.
"The government is ready to listen to the people and does not reject scrutiny from any sector," Ploytale stated. "We confirm that protest groups can move and submit proposals under their constitutional rights, but we ask for cooperation to assemble peacefully and lawfully without disturbing the public. The government will consider suggestions and opinions based on facts."
