recently (perhaps a week ago) I was in some mall and needed to check my e-mail urgently. so, I found internet cafe in there and to my shock, was asked to produce some ID document or passport.
this is a very big news for me since NEVER before I was asked any such thing in so many internet cafes here in Thailand – but the girl who was a manager/ cashier in that internet cafe has told me that it is some new law….

well, here we go – now to be able to check your e-mail you must provide ID which will be put on file, along with the time you have used internet in that particular spot.

I wonder though – does that rule apply to ALL customers, or do they only try to be so rigid with foreigners? the same as it seems – they are too zealous to check bags of foreigners in subway, as if they truly believe that it is the foreigners who are the main threat (of potential bomb attacks – as on New year 20007). ridiculous paranoia !

Basically, in front of a company’s local network, there is a router/modem ADSL to share one internet access… This is the location to create a log system that will record and store (requirement of the law) all in and out traffic.

If the authorities “think” that a “cyber crime” have been commited in the company, they will just come and take the log system, in order to follow the lead until the end user in the company (the guy who sent the email with a porn picture, like we said).

Now if you say that this law is from a technical point of view, inapplicable… then I agree with you.

As I wrote before, the real problem is not really the law itselft (inapplicable, all the SMEs are going to ignore it)… the problem is that it creates a new opportunity for pressure and corruption.

If authorities want to nail you, for whatever reasons, then they could use this law. And you could say nothing, even though all other companies do not respect it.

It creates further uncertainty.

The corrupted, the thiefs, the thugs love the fog of uncertainty.

It’s good for their business.

a simple porn picture sent by email to a friend
Dont you just love it when people forward porn email without deleting the whole chain of past forwarder?
Sometime you can actually see the full name and position of all those in the mail.

But you are right, this law is a walking monster. If it is a monster without a definite scope/understanding/restriction, then dont let it out.

The PPP is not the source.

However, since its victory in december, the PPP didn’t make any move to critizise this law.

I think it’s fair also to say that “potential for misuse” is like an understatement.

This law is a walking monster as far as freedom and privacy are concerned.

It gives striking power to security services, without any balance.

Beyond the point of the logs… this law allows the police to come to your house, and seize your computer WITHOUT ANY WARRANT, on the simple assumption that proofs of “cyber crimes” (AKA a simple porn picture sent by email to a friend for instance) are on your hard disk…

This is well documented since june 2007… but no one cares.

The logs issue is a good way -I hope- for people to talk again about this law, the whole law.

As Tom said, it’s pure insanity.

The thai people, and the farangs (foreign companies) need to wake up and send a clear message to the thai authorities.

The Kingdom is not Burma, North Korea, nor China.

Or if it is, then it must be clearly stated by the authorities.

But enough of this thai janus hypocrisis with on one hand the smiles and the strong desire to be part of the modern world… and on the other hand such crazy piece of law that sends the country back in time.

The law might be interpret as beneficial if use strictly for fighting cyber crime, like identity, credit card, or fraud. But the potential for misuse is too great. If this law cannot be specifically limit it use, then it should not come out at all.

What about the others? Imagine to create a log of all the sh..t which is going arround in universities … and as well large enterprises.

It’s pure insanity … and I believe, almost now one will do it!