Thai Police Apologize For AI-Manipulated Flood Relief Image

Key takeaways

Thai border police have issued an apology after posting an AI-manipulated image on social media that falsely depicted flood relief rescuers carrying automatic weapons and wearing combat gear in one of the hardest-hit cities in southern Thailand.

The 437th Border Patrol Police unit shared the altered image on its Facebook page, showing armed personnel in what appeared to be a military operation in Hat Yai, a city severely affected by recent flooding.

The post, captioned "Border patrol ready to enter zone 8 today" and accompanied by a laughing emoji, came after social media footage captured sounds resembling gunfire as volunteers on jet skis worked in flooded neighborhoods.

Detection and revelation

AFP fact-checkers identified the image as AI-generated using Google's SynthID detection tool, which revealed digital watermarks embedded in the photo. A star-shaped Gemini watermark was visible in one corner, indicating the image had been created using Google's AI software.

The police unit apologized on Thursday and published the original photograph, which showed unarmed officers wearing orange life vests in a boat, with rescue supplies visible in both versions of the image.

According to the police statement, "This is a real image before it was made into an AI image. We apologize for any misunderstanding."

An officer from the border police unit told AFP on Friday that the image was created to demonstrate their readiness.

"We generated the photo just to show the public our readiness to enter the area," the officer said, declining to provide his name.

He confirmed that none of the personnel working on flood relief operations carried firearms. No one has been disciplined over the incident.

Government warnings ignored

The manipulated post appeared despite Thailand's government-run anti-fake news center issuing a warning on Facebook beforehand that stated: "Don't share AI images that mislead people and become obstacles to relief efforts."

Public reaction to the AI-manipulated image was divided. Some netizens criticized the use of artificial intelligence during a crisis situation.

"Don't do this again, you must understand the importance of communications during a crisis," one commenter wrote. However, others expressed support for the concept, with one saying: "From the heart of a local in Hat Yai — this is what people want."

Deadly flooding continues

Southern Thailand has been experiencing severe flooding in recent days, with the death toll climbing to 29 as of Wednesday, according to government officials.

More than 30,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, and over 155,000 households across five southern provinces—Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phatthalung—have been affected by the disaster.

The Thai Meteorological Department warned Wednesday morning that low pressure moving from the South China Sea across Malaysia and the Andaman Sea was expected to bring additional heavy rainfall and further flooding to southern Thailand.

The Department of Mineral Resources also warned of potential landslides and flash floods continuing until December 5.

The government has deployed rescue teams to assist affected residents and designated 50 million baht ($1.5 million) in flood relief for each province.

On Tuesday, the Thai cabinet approved a 9,000 baht ($260) payment per family to support those affected by the flooding.

The floods have also impacted neighboring Malaysia, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes.

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