Malaysian critic with 1.2 million followers spread fake news claiming Thailand is unsafe, then was rebutted with the viral MotoGP "Tuk-Tuk Challenge." The event showcased Thailand's safety and vibrancy.
Ian Miles Cheong, a Malaysian political critic and influencer with over 1.2 million followers on platform X, posted that “Thailand is one of the most unsafe countries in the world for tourists,” also claiming ongoing conflicts with neighboring countries involving artillery fire and drone strikes.
The origin of this claim was "Dubai," a millionaire's dream city, which became a target after Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Persian Gulf against the US and Israel.
Drones struck key Dubai landmarks like The Palm Jumeirah and the Fairmont The Palm, a five-star hotel, raising questions about the image of Dubai as a "millionaire's paradise."
Then, Wals (@walsxbt), a crypto/Web3 influencer with over 30,000 followers, posted that with Dubai losing its safety image, “the best country in the world” should be Thailand. He listed Thailand’s strengths fully: great weather, excellent restaurants and services, stable baht, affordable real estate, low cost of living, long-term visas, crypto-friendly taxes, quality healthcare, and tangible safety.
However, Ian Miles Cheong responded with distorted rebuttals, prompting Thai netizens to strike back with a viral clip from the major MotoGP event held in Thailand featuring the special "Tuk-Tuk Challenge."
This event featured 22 premier class riders, including world champion Marc Márquez, Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo, Joan Mir, and Jorge Martín, competing on "tuk-tuk" vehicles.
Highlights included two humorous riders, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu from Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, performing stunts like wheelies and Tokyo drift-style cornering, turning the clip into a global viral sensation.
Meanwhile, foreigners residing in and traveling to Thailand have unanimously confirmed that Thailand remains a warm, friendly destination with internationally standard safety measures in place.