Bangkok: "Supamas" has instructed the Public Relations Department and MCOT to restore public confidence in the five-death case by clarifying the facts to an international audience and implementing a "Verify Before Sharing" campaign to combat fake news that further victimizes the victims' families.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, in her capacity as supervisor of the Public Relations Department and MCOT Public Company Limited, has instructed state communications agencies to handle the information surrounding the murder of two Russian siblings and a related case resulting in a total of five deaths in Chonburi province. The suspect committed two crimes within less than a month after being released from prison, leading to close scrutiny from both domestic and international audiences and impacting public confidence in security and the country's image.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul personally visited the scene of the incident and expressed his condolences to the victims' families, apologizing to Russian tourists and citizens. He emphasized that this incident was the act of an individual criminal and did not reflect a general lack of safety in Thailand. He also declared Thailand's stance against reducing sentences for offenders of serious crimes, ordered a review of law enforcement measures regarding recidivism among released convicts, and reaffirmed that Thailand retains the death penalty, with sentencing at the discretion of the court. Ms. Suphamas then continued the directives in the area of government communication, which is her direct responsibility, to ensure that factual information is conveyed to the public and the international community, while simultaneously protecting the victims' families from false information and inappropriate content.
Ms. Suphamas mentioned the urgent instructions she had issued to the Public Relations Department and MCOT, directing them to disseminate factual information through key channels including the National Broadcasting Television of Thailand, the National Broadcasting Radio of Thailand, Channel 9 MCOT HD, the Thai News Agency, and foreign language channels. This is to ensure that the public, foreigners, and tourists are promptly informed that the suspects have been apprehended within a few days, the case is progressing at full speed, the Thai government is upgrading measures to prevent recurrence, and that progress reports adhere to journalistic ethics, refraining from presenting violent images or content that violates the dignity of the victims and their families. Furthermore, she instructed the "Sure Before Sharing" center of the Thai News Agency to verify fake news and misinformation about the case circulating online to quickly create a correct understanding within the public.
Furthermore, Ms. Suphamas added that she has been following this case since day one and understands the public's anger, both from the loss of life and from the fact that the suspect, who had a prior conviction, committed the crime again, resulting in five deaths.
"I am as saddened and angry as my fellow citizens. Those who committed this crime must receive the harshest punishment prescribed by law. I support the Prime Minister's stance against reducing penalties for serious crimes and the review of law enforcement measures against repeat offenders. The government has heard the people's demands and is acting on them. My duty is to ensure that truth triumphs over fake news, both domestically and internationally. The world needs to see that Thailand apprehended the perpetrators within days and that the justice system is working diligently, not just that images of violence are being repeatedly shared."
"What I ask from society is: don't give space to the perpetrator. Don't share violent images or quotes from the perpetrator, drowning out the voices of the victims. Please send your condolences to the families of the deceased and follow information from official sources. If you encounter fake news or uncertain information about the case, send it to the 'Verify Before Sharing' center at the Thai News Agency for immediate verification.