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Khaosod English: An editor for the ultra-royalist Thai newspaper ASTV Manager was summoned by police today for overseeing the publication of a fake palace statement on the newspaper’s website last night.

Niran Yaowapha, the head of ASTV Manager's online section, met with police in Bangkok today for “questioning” about the fake document, which said that King Bhumibol, 87, had decided to appoint a Regent to act on his behalf. Due to strict laws that criminalize any remarks deemed critical of the monarchy, Khaosod English is withholding other details of the document’s contents.
 
An hour after the document began circulating online, a spokesperson for Thailand’s military government announced that the order was forged. Manager ASTV, a staunchly pro-monarchy newspaper, pulled the statement from its website and published an apology.
 
According to police spokesperson Pol.Lt.Gen. Prawut Thawornsiri, the document was most likely disseminated “from abroad,” which will make it difficult for police to track down who was behind the forgery.
 
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