A second British man has been arrested in Thailand for alleged involvement in violent anti-government “Red Shirt” protests earlier this year, police said Thursday. Keith Wayne Bush, 49, from Manchester was arrested on arson charges at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday after arriving on a flight from the United Arab Emirates, according to immigration police. His Thai wife, Alisa Bush, 33, was also arrested after she went to the airport to meet him. (Khao Sod Newspaper)
Pattani, Thailand – Suspected separatists on Tuesday shot dead two teachers in Thailand’s violence-wracked southern province of Narathiwat, prompting authorities to close 465 schools.
The Thai government’s ongoing battle over control of the information technology has made headlines yet again in the last few days over the attempts to block access to the whistleblower site WikiLeaks that have spectacularly backfired on Thursday with the people behind the site setting up a dedicated page displaying all Thailand related documents and adding more fuel to the fire by publishing a deliberately provocative open letter to the Thai government.
This considerable brouhaha over WikiLeaks has partly overshadowed another story also involving communication technology and in this case the consideration of control over its contents.
Col. Nathee Suklarath of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has revealed that today’s meeting (Aug 18) has raised the issue whether the usage of the BlackBerry telephone devices (BB) comply with Computer Crime Act of 2007, which states that data files have to be stored for 90 days in order to allow authorities to scrutinize. But BB devices are storing their data abroad, which makes Thailand not able to look into it. This has led into an inquiry to Juti Krai-rirk, Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) to determine whether it complies with the Computer Crime Act or not. [...]
This move comes after the manufactures of the popular BlackBerry devices, Canadian Research in Motion (RIM), has come under increasing pressure by various countries to either let authorities have access to the data (some stating security reasons for the demand) or face a suspension of its email and web browsing services. The data on BlackBerry devices are being encrypted and routed over RIM’s servers in Canada. RIM has eventually complied in some cases and agree to install local servers such as in Saudi Arabia.
Section 26. A service provider must store computer traffic data for at least ninety days from the date on which the data is input into a computer system. However, if necessary, a relevant competent official may instruct a service provider to store data for a period of longer than ninety days but not exceeding one year on a special case by case basis or on a temporary basis.
The service provider must keep the necessary information of the service user in order to be able to identify the service user from the beginning of the service provision, and such information must be kept for a further period not exceeding ninety days after the service agreement has been terminated.
The types of service provider to whom the provisions under paragraph one shall apply and the timing of this application shall be established by a Minister and published in the Government Gazette.
A service provider who fails to comply with this Section must be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred thousand baht.
One can say that the NTC has now at least considered to jump on the worldwide bandwagon to pressure RIM. This can be interpreted as a further sign of the government’s attempt to control the flow of information under the excuse of national security, which many other countries have cited. On the other hand it is yet another country RIM has now to either appease or could it be the first country the company might afford to lose. Given their most recent statements on it’s growth potential in the region it is very unlikely though.
UPDATE On Friday morning Thairathreports under the title “BlackBerry users can be relieved, [usage] does not contradict of Computer Crime Act, [says] MICT“, but…
However, offenders can still be tracked. But in cases that require to look into the data that has been communicated through BB that is potentially illegal or not, [the authorities] would then have to ask the firm Research in Motion in Canada for assistance. [Also] the security authorities have to determine whether the security rulings [?] do sufficiently cover or not even though the Computer Crime Act of 2007 cannot enforce services that are based abroad as seen in the case of material offending to the Monarchy being uploaded to YouTube. [click here for background]
So, even though the MICT has given some clarity in this case, does it mean it will still nonetheless try to ask RIM for assistance the next time there’s a potential case of illegal activity?
This is a review of what happened in Thailand during the last week based on topics that I tweeted. You can follow me live for latest news about Thailand @RichardBarrow. I have also started a new version of my Bangkok Dangerous Map as there have been more bombs and demonstrations in Bangkok recently. Hopefully I won’t need to update it as much as my old map, which had 2.7 million views.
Weekend 23rd-25th July 2010
RT @suthichai China executes 13 Thai women for smuggling illegal drugs…Thai Rath headline this morning #
Charice has arrived in Thailand & will be singing at Siam Discovery tonight. Expect some crowds. http://bit.ly/9tsC2w#
25 Chinese-made tanks, that the Thai army cannot afford to maintain any more, will be used as artificial reefs /BkkPost #
High HIV incidence for Thai men who have sex with men; many acquiring HIV in their early twenties http://bit.ly/aYLtFr#
PM cancels SOE in 6 out of 16 provinces: Ayutthaya, Nong Bua Lamphu, Chaiyaphum, Chon Buri, Mukdahan & Maha Sarakham /BkkPost #
I’m at a dinner party for members of the Samut Prakan Press Association. Quite a large crowd. Good food. Bad karaoke! #
In Samut Prakan we have 6 monthly newspapers and 3 cable TV stations. Others here are stringers for national TV & newspapers. #
Thai Protest at UNESCO in Bangkok is now occupying one lane of Sukhumwit Road /via @netphoto#
Protesters outside UNESCO are waiting World Heritage meeting result on Preah Vihear management plan expected tonight. #
Manager of 7-Eleven crashes her car into her own shop when she mistakes accelerator pedal for break http://bit.ly/8ZyGq8#
You can follow me on Twitter @RichardBarrow for all the latest news about Thailand. I post about Thailand travel, food, festivals, major events and of course breaking news. Visit my Twitter Archives for everything that I have posted on Twitter over the past five months.
From Voon Miaw Ping BANGKOK, Sept 6 — Malaysia and Thailand on Monday reinforced their commitment and needs to enhance cooperation in efforts to further boost tourism in both countries.
The latest Young Asians survey by global market research firm Synovate shows the lives of Asia’s youth revolve around their mobile phones from sunrise to sunset and on into the night.
Personal ownership of mobiles has increased from 60 per cent in 2008 to 64 per cent 2010 among the young population surveyed. [click to continue…]
This is a review of what happened in Thailand during the last week based on topics that I tweeted. You can follow me live for latest news about Thailand @RichardBarrow.
Friday 30th July 2010:
At about 3am @js100radio reported an explosion on Soi Rangnam on Phaya Thai Road in Bangkok. One person badly injured. #
Sadly, with the news of another bomb explosion, it looks like it is time for me to do a Bangkok Dangerous map again. #
World Heritage Committee postpones decision on Cambodian’s management plan until next year #UNESCO /TANN #
Grenade in plastic bag explodes on Rangnam Rd near King Power; one person seriously hurt – Map: http://bit.ly/9×0dRO#
Map of Bangkok Dangerous (July-August 2010 edition): Latest explosions & demonstrations in Bangkok http://bit.ly/cQ2mmT#
You can follow me on Twitter @RichardBarrow for all the latest news about Thailand. I post about Thailand travel, food, festivals, major events and of course breaking news. Visit my Twitter Archives for everything that I have posted on Twitter over the past five months.