Thai voters now have less than a week to go before they go to the polls to vote in a historic constitutional reform referendum which asks whether they want a new constitution. For political parties and civil society groups campaigning for a vote in favour of a new constitution, the stakes are high. If the majority does not vote in favour, there is no way of amending the Constitution. Meanwhile, conservatives are campaigning against a new constitution, and while people have the freedom to believe what they believe, many reasons cited by these groups can be considered misinformation, even verging on fearmongering and fake news.

<p>Prachatai&rsquo;s Facebook page has been found on the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES)&rsquo;s list of sites that spread fake news, which also includes Facebook pages for activists and activist groups, as well as other online news sites.</p>

<p>media agencies and a civil society group filed a complaint against Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as the Prime Minister and head of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) over the 29th order under the Emergency Decree banning distribution of information causing public fear or misinformation.</p>

<p>A recent governmental decree banning the distribution of &ldquo;fake news&rdquo; has left local media associations and a legal watchdog concerned that the effort will limit public internet access.</p>

<p>Cofact, a local fact-checking organization, published its first annual report in an effort to promote awareness of how misinformation circulates in Thailand.&nbsp; Recent examples include claims that cancer and the Covid-19 virus can be cured by drinking lemonade and soda water.</p>