Bangkok: Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpaen, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), has confirmed that there was no bias involved in the arrest of a Facebook page administrator accused of posting photoshopped images of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The arrest follows a complaint filed by Mr. Thaksin's lawyer, who sought the intervention of the Cyber Police after the altered images and insulting messages were shared online.
According to Thai News Agency, the arrest is part of a broader investigation into online activities that damage reputations and deceive the public. The TCSD commander emphasized that the division routinely arrests individuals engaging in such offenses and that future investigations could potentially expand to include other Facebook groups involved in similar activities, contingent on further complaints from victims.
The case also highlights a separate investigation involving Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, who fell victim to a call center scam. This scam involved using the voices of international leaders to solicit money under false pretenses. Authorities suspect the call center group responsible is based in a neighboring country, with over 16,000 similar cases reported recently.
Uncertainty persists regarding the coordination between mobile phone companies Oppo and Realme and the authorities. It remains unclear whether these companies will provide personal information to the Cyber Police or the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB). The OCPB and the Consumer Protection Police Division are currently managing victim complaints, with a possible shift of investigative responsibility to the Cyber Police if deemed necessary.