Thaksin Slams Fake News Over Exile Rumours, Urges Public to Stay Vigilant
BANGKOK, Thailand – May 27, 2025
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has publicly dismissed reports claiming he fled the country, calling them “fake news” and urging the public not to fall for fabricated media narratives.
Speaking Tuesday during a special address on drug trafficking at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Thaksin directly responded to the allegations, which he said originated from an unnamed reporter.
“Today, someone released fake news that I had fled abroad earlier and just returned today,” Thaksin stated, adding that the story included far-fetched claims of him crossing a natural strait and abandoning his personal aircraft before flying to another country.
Mocking the creativity behind the story, Thaksin said, “The imagination ran wild. Maybe Channel 7 trained that reporter very well in storytelling. He deceived others so much that he now believes his own lies.”
He also laughed off rumours that he had travelled to London to meet his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, calling the claim “a joke.”
Thaksin concluded by cautioning Thais to remain critical of what they consume from media sources: “Thai people must pull themselves together and not allow themselves to be fooled by fake news from newspapers and TV channels.”
The former premier’s remarks come amid heightened political scrutiny and online speculation about his movements and influence within the current administration.
