Student's AI-Generated Crocodile Photo Triggers School Search
A Chonburi school sparked an emergency search after an AI-generated image of a crocodile went viral on social media, prompting authorities to inspect the flooded campus before discovering the photo was fake and created by a student.
CHONBURI — Authorities in Chonburi rushed to inspect a flooded school after an image circulating on social media appeared to show a crocodile inside the campus, only to discover it had been generated using artificial intelligence by a student.
Heavy overnight rain caused flooding in several parts of Sattahip district, including Sing Samut School, where floodwaters disrupted access for students and parents. The school switched to online learning on Thursday as a safety precaution.
As residents followed updates on the flooding, a photo claiming to show a crocodile inside the school was shared online, including by the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Foundation after it received the image from a member of the public for verification. The image quickly spread, alarming students, parents and local residents.
Following the reports, Sattahip District Chief Nattawut Anuyotha ordered local officials, rescue workers and relevant agencies to search the school and surrounding area.
After a thorough inspection, authorities found no crocodile or any signs of one.
People's Party MP Thana Thanatharn Pramulpong, who represents Chonburi's 10th constituency, also visited the school after seeing the viral image and concerns over public safety.
Officials later traced the source of the image to a student at the school, who admitted using AI to create the fake crocodile picture before sharing it in a chat group. The image was then widely reposted, leading many people to believe it was real.
Authorities confirmed there was no crocodile at the school and urged the public to verify information before sharing it online, particularly images generated using AI, to avoid causing unnecessary panic and wasting emergency resources.
