‘Stay away’ leaflets target PM’s visit in Yala slammed as fake news
Reports of ominous warning leaflets telling citizens to stay away from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during her visit to Thailand’s southern border provinces have been branded misinformation by local officials.
The alleged leaflets were said to have been distributed at key locations in Yala City, including the Yala Central Mosque, Old Market’s Soi 5, and the Jaru Community near Dhamma Foundation School. However, Colonel Kiattisak Niewong, spokesperson for the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, dismissed the claims, stating no physical evidence of the leaflets had been found.
Yala deputy police chief Police Colonel Supakorn Phuengros backed this assertion, confirming that no official complaints had been filed.
“Following thorough investigations involving community and religious leaders, no physical leaflets have been discovered. This appears to be an information operation aimed at sowing unrest.”
The rumours began circulating on social media yesterday January 16, just days before the 38 year old PM’s scheduled visit to the region. The purported warning urged citizens to avoid Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her Cabinet during their mission to the south, raising concerns of potential disturbances. However, security forces stationed in the Old Market area for the past three days reported no suspicious activities.
Police remain vigilant but stress that there is no credible threat to the Thai premier’s visit. They believe the incident is a deliberate attempt by opposition elements to disrupt public order.
As the Thai premier prepares for her mission to the southern border provinces, officials are urging the public to disregard unverified reports, reported The Nation.
The PM prepared for a visit to Thailand’s southern Muslim-majority provinces by practising the universal Islamic greeting, “as-salaam alaykum” (peace be upon you), aboard an air force helicopter. Assisted by Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, Paetongtarn repeated the greeting several times to perfect her pronunciation.
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