Cybersecurity and cybercrime in Thailand - statistics & facts
Thais are among the top ten internet users in the world in terms of average daily time spent online, with more than eight hours spent on the internet every day. Hence, the country has a substantial e-commerce market, making it a popular target for phishers who send harmful links via applications, SMS, and fake websites to deceive users into disclosing personal information to steal their money. The number of lawsuits involving online purchases of products or services that were never delivered, loan shark applications, Ponzi schemes, and investment fraud is also increasing. In addition to cybercrimes against private households, cyberattacks on institutions and businesses are a significant issue in Thailand.
The National Cybersecurity Act gives the government broad authority to monitor people's internet activity, get access to their data, and prohibit websites without needing a court's permission. This has created a heated discussion as worries about potential power abuses, privacy dangers, and restrictions on free expression emerge. These difficulties have given reason for concerns about civil liberties and digital rights. Thailand ranked 13th out of 17 nations in the Asia-Pacific region on the online Freedom Index in 2022, underscoring the country's significant problems in supporting online freedom.
Thailand’s Cybersecurity Act
While Thailand's cybersecurity industry has been growing quickly, digital privacy concerns among internet users in Thailand persist, with more than 60 percent of users aged 16 to 64 expressing concerns about the reliability of content on the internet. To improve digital security, the government has taken proactive measures by creating legislation and initiatives. Examples include the National Cybersecurity Act and the formation of the Thailand Computer Emergency Response Team (ThaiCERT).The National Cybersecurity Act gives the government broad authority to monitor people's internet activity, get access to their data, and prohibit websites without needing a court's permission. This has created a heated discussion as worries about potential power abuses, privacy dangers, and restrictions on free expression emerge. These difficulties have given reason for concerns about civil liberties and digital rights. Thailand ranked 13th out of 17 nations in the Asia-Pacific region on the online Freedom Index in 2022, underscoring the country's significant problems in supporting online freedom.
