Security and stock exchange officials have been ordered to find the people who generated rumours about His Majesty the King’s health that caused share prices to fall dramatically.
The instructions were issued by the deputy prime ministers who manage economic affairs and security.
The rumours caused a steep fall in the SET index on Wednesday. Investors have been advised not to listen to rumour and that they should have confidence in the potential of Thailand.
The negative rumours affected share prices at a time when foreigners are waiting to buy. However, it is believed that Thai people are releasing rumours to devalue shares.
The defence minister has ordered security authorities, police and the Technology Crime Suppression Division to investigate any websites and social media pages that distorted information and released rumours.
One post appeared on Facebook in a badly disguised attempt to portray it as coming from the English newspaper the Daily Mail. It was an obvious choice as the genuine newspaper was banned for a time in Thailand.
This was as a result of publishing unfavourable articles regarding the army during the military coup. The false announcement regarding the King’s health did create confusion among a lot of people, as well as affecting the stock market.
Any false announcement regarding someone’s death is to be condemned. However, when it involves a much-loved monarch, it is particularly distasteful and there can be no justifiable motive, financial or otherwise.
Let us hope that the guilty parties are apprehended and dealt with appropiately.
(With thanks to the Bangkok Post)