The government warns the public to be cautious on April Fool’s Day. Posting content that causes harm or panic is illegal and punishable by imprisonment and fines. It advises confirming that the information is true before sharing.
On 1 Apr 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that April 1 each year is April Fool’s Day, a day for jokes and playful lies among friends, often used to build relationships and relieve stress. However, sometimes such jokes or lies can negatively affect others or cause social panic, especially when falsehoods are posted on social media, spreading widely through sharing.
The government, through the Royal Thai Police, urges caution in creating false stories for fun or teasing others, as such acts can cause harm or social panic, which are offenses under the law, for example:
1. Publishing information that damages another’s reputation, causes contempt, or hatred, including sharing, insulting, or making rude remarks, is considered defamation by advertising under Penal Code Section 328, punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment and a fine up to 200,000 baht.
2. Importing or disseminating false information into computer systems that affects national security, public safety, economic security, public infrastructure, or causes public panic violates the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550 (2007) and its amendments, Sections 14 (1)(2)(15), punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both.
“Amid the Middle East war impacting the energy crisis, the government requests cooperation in sharing accurate and beneficial information to build confidence and overcome this event together. Before sharing any news or information, please verify its truthfulness. If harmed or witnessing someone spreading fake news causing social confusion, you may file a complaint at your local police station or report tips via hotlines 191 and the Royal Thai Police hotline 1599, available 24 hours,” Ms. Airin said.