Law experts have raised criticisms of Thailand’s Data Protection Law draft

Law experts have raised criticisms of Thailand’s Data Protection Law draft, saying that there are several issues requiring amendment, especially concerns over abuse of power.As it stands, the draft does not allow for citizens to sue the Government, and critics also contend that the data privacy committee should be an independent body, not comprised of members of Government authorities.Thailand is in the final stages of consultation on its draft privacy legislation which has already approved by the Council of State and is being processed to the congress. Also, as an Asean member country, Thailand shares a commitment to harmonise its data protection laws by 2015.<br />Dhiraphol Suwanprateep, partner at Baker & McKenzie, said Section 5 (2) of the draft makes exception in cases that collect data for personal use, but there is a need to seek approval from data owners when collecting data and to inform them of the purpose of usage.Furthermore, the law should ensure that data is collected in an appropriate manner, otherwise it would be inadmissible as evidence in court.However, while there may still be some concerns over this law, it is still necessary as there are numerous data privacy threats in existence, such as the sale of personal information to businesses or criminals.But the harmonisation of the law is essential for international business, as multinational companies would be unlikely to send transfer data if the destination country does not have equal privacy standards to their own. This would result in Thailand losing business opportunities in business process outsourcing.

Law experts have raised criticisms of Thailand’s Data Protection Law draft

Law experts have raised criticisms of Thailand’s Data Protection Law draft, saying that there are several issues requiring amendment, especi...

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Thailand has neglected to establish controls for any funds being transferred into the Kingdom from abroad.

Thailand has neglected to establish controls for any funds being transferred into the Kingdom from abroad. Meanwhile, control mechanisms do exist for outgoing funds. This is, for example, one of the reasons why it was discovered that former prime minister – and since fugitive convicted criminal – Thaksin Shinawatra had transferred his shares in Shin Corporation to a mailbox company in the British Virgin Islands audaciously called “Ample Rich Co., Ltd.”, a name that haunts him to this day. The influx of foreign funds has paralyzed Thailand in its actions how to trace the origins of such payments, which has effectively transformed the country into one of the easiest places where to hide your ill-gotten wealth – and made it attractive to the mafia.

Thailand has neglected to establish controls for any funds being transferred into the Kingdom from abroad.

Thailand has neglected to establish controls for any funds being transferred into the Kingdom from abroad. Meanwhile, control mechanisms do...

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two grenades exploded outside branches of the country's biggest bank

two grenades exploded outside branches of the country's biggest bank on Saturday, causing light damage but no injuries.The blasts came a night after the country's Supreme Court ruled that ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra had enriched himself at the expense of the state during his five years in power. The state will seize US$1.4 billion (S$1.96 billion) of his family's US$2.3 billion in frozen assets. Thaksin is now living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for graft.Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had asked troops to help provide extra security across the country following the attacks, but added he had not enacted harsh security laws as the government had earlier threatened. 'The bomb incidents were expected after the verdict. They are the actions of a small group of people who want to create unrest,' Mr Abhisit said in his weekly television broadcast.<br />Red-Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan has denied any connection between the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship and the blasts.The attacks came just over a week after Thaksin's supporters, known as the Red Shirts, surrounded Bangkok Bank's headquarters in the capital and forced it to close for the day. They said the bank has links to chief royal adviser and former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, whom they accuse of masterminding the 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin.Metropolitan Police Commander Lieutenant- General Santhan Chayanon said police suspected the attacks were politically motivated but added it was too premature to pinpoint blame on any group. 'We suspect third-hand agitators who want to cause rift between the government and anti-government group at a sensitive time,' he said.

two grenades exploded outside branches of the country's biggest bank

two grenades exploded outside branches of the country's biggest bank on Saturday, causing light damage but no injuries.The blasts came a...

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