Clip of “Chadchart” Inviting Israeli Ambassador to Bring Investors to Bangkok Video Traced to 2022 Smart City Discussions

MisinformationSep 9, 202610:43|Politics

Thai PBS Verify investigated a TikTok clip claiming that Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt invited the Israeli Ambassador to attract investors to Bangkok, linking the meeting to nominee arrangements and land buyouts. Verification showed the footage dates to 2022, which was capturing an official meeting focused on smart city development cooperation. No evidence was found that Chadchart invited Israeli investors to buy land or discussed nominee arrangements as alleged.

Thai PBS Verify found this disinformation from: Tiktok

Thai PBS Verify identified a TikTok account sharing a video clip depicting Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to discuss developing Bangkok into a smart city. The video’s narration stated, “How about that? Anyone who voted Chadchart into office, take responsibility for this. In the picture is Chadchart Sittipunt, the Bangkok Governor. Both past and present leaders have invited the Israeli Ambassador to encourage Israeli investors to invest in Thailand, in Bangkok, claiming a desire to transform Bangkok into a smart city. If being ‘smart’ means corrupting the nation, if being ‘smart’ means disregarding Thai law and the Thai people, why bring them in? As it stands, Thais already can’t drive them out fast enough, with their use of nominees, their attempts to seize Thai land, their exploitation, their zero-dollar tours, and their reliance on nominees to buy up Thai territory. But that isn’t painful enough for you yet, is it, Chadchart?”

Additionally, the caption accompanying the clip stated that “Israel is all the more eager to acquire urban planning layouts.”

The post received 7,342 reactions, 815 comments, and over 1,664 shares after being published on August 29, 2026.

Did Governor Chadchart meet with the Israeli Ambassador and invite investment in Bangkok to create a smart city?

Thai PBS Verify conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens on an image from the clip and found that it matched a YouTube video published on the channel BKKLIVE, titled “Governor Chadchart Meets Israeli Ambassador, Invites Collaboration on Building a Smart City and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles.” The video was originally published on August 4, 2022.

A comparison between the video clip (left) and the footage published on the YouTube channel BKKLIVE (right).)

The meeting details are as follows.

Bangkok Governor Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt welcomed H.E. Ms. Orna Sagiv, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Thailand, and Mr. Ariel Seidman, Deputy Head of Mission, during a courtesy call to discuss bilateral cooperation between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Embassy of the State of Israel in Thailand. Discussions encompassed various initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns, film screenings, water management strategies, sister-city partnerships, and enhancing urban accessibility for persons with disabilities to advance Bangkok toward becoming a smart city that supports healthy lifestyles. BMA Deputy Governors Mr. Visanu Subsompon and Mr. Sanon Wangsrangboon were also present to receive the delegation at the Amorn Phiman Room, Bangkok City Hall (Sao Chingcha), Phra Nakhon District.

Meanwhile, H.E. Ms. Orna Sagiv, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Thailand, assumed her ambassadorial position on June 15, 2022, and has since completed her term of office.

Furthermore, a keyword search for “Bangkok Governor meets Israeli Ambassador” revealed a meeting with an Israeli Ambassador on January 13, 2026. On that occasion, Governor Chadchart welcomed H.E. Dr. Alona Fisher-Kamm, the new Israeli Ambassador to Thailand, at Bangkok City Hall to discuss bilateral cooperation in urban innovation, smart city development, and sustainable city management.

However, claims that “Chadchart invited Israeli investors to bring in capital while linking the nominee to land buyouts, and disrespect for Thai law” have no evidence or official records from the discussions to substantiate these allegations.

What Is the Truth?

Thai PBS Verify confirmed that Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt met with the Israeli Ambassador to discuss smart city development cooperation. The footage featured in the viral video dates to August 4, 2022, when Chadchart hosted then-Ambassador H.E. Ms. Orna Sagiv to discuss tree-planting initiatives, water management strategies, sister-city partnerships, and urban accessibility for people with disabilities. On January 13, 2026, Chadchart met with the newly appointed Israeli Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Alona Fisher-Kamm, to discuss collaboration on urban innovation, smart city development, and sustainable municipal administration. Nevertheless, there is no evidence indicating that Chadchart invited Israeli investors to invest in Bangkok, nor was there any discussion concerning nominee structures, land acquisitions, or disregard for Thai law as alleged in the post.

Verification Process

Verification via Google Lens: Utilizing a reverse image search on frames within the clip using Google Lens revealed a match with a video published by the YouTube channel BKKLIVE, titled “Governor Chadchart Meets Israeli Ambassador, Invites Collaboration on Building a Smart City and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles”, which was uploaded on August 4, 2022.
Keyword search: Performing a keyword search for “Bangkok Governor meets Israeli Ambassador” yielded records of a meeting on January 13, 2026, where Chadchart welcomed H.E. Dr. Alona Fisher-Kamm, the newly appointed Israeli Ambassador, at Bangkok City Hall to discuss bilateral cooperation in urban innovation, smart city development, and sustainable city management.

Impact of Disinformation

Misleading the public regarding the official duties and policies of Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Fostering the false understanding that Israeli investors were actively solicited to invest in Bangkok, despite a complete lack of supporting evidence.
Distorting public perception of Thai–Israeli cooperation by taking routine smart city development discussions and tying them to unfounded allegations.
Eroding trust in public institutions and BMA leadership through the dissemination of factually inaccurate assertions.
Heightening social division and political polarization, especially by linking the video’s content to sensitive issues like nominee arrangements, land buyouts, and disrespect for Thai law.
Accelerating the viral spread of false claims, genuine historical footage was weaponized with unsubstantiated narrative commentary to deceive audiences.

What to do with this misinformation?

Verify the source before believing or sharing information, especially when encountering posts from unknown accounts or content lacking supporting evidence.
Check the date and context of images or video clips. Older footage is frequently recycled and paired with misleading context.

Cross-reference details with reputable news sources, such as government agencies, official websites, or media outlets adhering to rigorous fact-checking standards.
Refrain from quickly sharing unverified content, especially content containing severe allegations or narratives designed to incite hostility against individuals or specific groups.