General Prawit dismisses rumour of military coup as ‘fake news’

The Thai Deputy PM Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has dismissed a rumour in social media of a possible military coup against the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha as ‘fake news’.

Rumours were rife following the sharing of a false announcement allegedly issued by the NCPO dismissing commanders of the three armed forces.

Gen Prawit is ordering an investigation into the sources of the rumours and the people who posted or shared the story.

“There is nothing in it”.

The spreading of the false rumours follows a politically tense weekend after the Thai Raksa Chart Party registered Princess Ubolratana as its candidate for PM in the March 24 election last Friday morning. The announcement was followed up by a strongly worded statement by HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn the same evening.

A Defence Ministry spokesperson says that Gen Prawit has instructed all agencies concerned to consider taking legal action against those who were responsible for spreading today’s rumour.

The rumour was partly triggered by the presence of several armoured vehicles outside Bangkok yesterday. Lt Gen Kongcheep says the vehicles were part of an organised military exercise.

“Nobody should panic”.

SOURCE: Thai PBS