‘Fake news’ Cambodian extradited

A Cambodian businessman accused of posting “fake news” about the Thai prime minister on the internet has been brought to Thailand to face prosecution.

Ratanak Heng, 21, was on Thursday apprehended at a shopping mall in Phnom Penh by Cambodian police after deputy tourist police chief Surachate Hakparn travelled to Phnom Penh to see help from Cambodian National Military Police Commander Sao Sokha to apprehend Mr Ratanak.

Mr Ratanak was wanted under an arrest warrant approved by the Criminal Court on Wednesday for inputting into computer systems false information that may undermine national security or cause panic among the public under the computer crime law.

Mr Ratanak was running a news website, www.ratstas.com, which contained fake news regarding premier Prayut Chan-ocha’s comment about rising fuel prices, according to a police source.

A Thai-language article, seen on the website, indicated the premier was infuriated by complaints of high oil prices, saying people should fill their tanks with water instead of diesel. The prime minister has denied saying that.

The suspect conceded the website was registered under his name but said his friend, identified only as Luis, had asked him to open the website for him, the source noted, adding that the suspect denied having anything to do with the content of the site.

The investigation into his money trail found he received money from the number of likes and shares of the news, the source said, adding the probe also found that Mr Luis asked Mr Ratanak to close the website following reports Thai authorities were tracking down those behind the news.

Pol Maj Gen Surachate said three pieces of fake information have been posted on the website since the beginning of this year, he said.

Officers are considering adding another charge of sedition against him, the deputy tourist police chief added.