The government warns the public not to fall prey to scammers exploiting flood-related hardships by soliciting so-called "phantom donations." It urges people to refrain from sharing false information that causes panic, with severe penalties including imprisonment up to 5 years and fines up to 100,000 baht.
On 26 Nov 2025 GMT+7, Ms. Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, stated that amid the flooding in nine southern provinces and other areas, the government is concerned for citizens affected by the natural disaster. The government warns against scammers who take advantage of the public's distress by fraudulently soliciting donations and spreading false information that causes panic and misunderstanding.
To help the public recognize and avoid scams by criminals and malicious actors, the Royal Thai Police recommends that citizens be aware of such deceitful tactics to prevent potential harm as follows.
1. Do not share false information that causes panic. - Always verify the source of images and information before sharing. Disseminating old flood images, doctored photos, or false water level data causes confusion and panic among affected communities. Such acts violate the Computer Crime Act, Section 14(2), for inputting false information likely to cause public alarm, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht.
2. Beware of scammers "fraudulently soliciting donations." - Be cautious of social media posts requesting donations for flood victims. Scammers often use images of victims from news or other media and falsely link them to bank accounts under their control or mule accounts, claiming these belong to volunteers, rescuers, or directly affected individuals.
3. Verify the recipient account before transferring funds. - When donating, ensure the recipient is a reputable entity such as a government agency, registered charity, or foundation. The donation account should be registered in the name of a legal entity. (Foundation/Organization) and not under the name of an individual. This helps reduce the risk of fraud. 4. Severe penalties for fraudsters.
- Those who falsely solicit donations face charges of fraud under Penal Code Section 343, punishable by imprisonment up to 5 years, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both. They may also be charged under the Computer Crime Act, Section 14, for knowingly inputting false information or deceit. “If you come across social media pages or accounts posting fake news or fraudulent donation requests, please report tips via hotlines 191 or 1599. Victims of donation scams can file complaints online at www.thaipoliceonline.go.th or contact the Online Crime Suppression Center (AOC) hotline at 1441, available 24 hours.”
Ms. Airin said.