Chiang Rai News
Thailand Telecom’s Regulator Deny’s Location-Tracking SIM Cards for Foreigners an Invasion of Privacy
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BANGKOK – Thailand telecom’s regulator announced Tuesday that it wants to issue all foreign tourists with location-tracking SIM cards, denying the project is an invasion of privacy.
There were few details about the proposal. Takorn did not say if tourists would have to buy the SIM cards or if they would be given to them free of charge. Nor were there details about the plan’s cost or time-frame.
He said authorities would only be able to track tourists using the SIM cards if they had a court order, but did not elaborate on how the tracking technology would work.
Speaking to reporters after the press conference, he added that the NBTC would seek advice from police, tourism authorities and tour operators before deciding whether to push ahead with the proposal.
The country’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has backed the plan.
“It will be helpful if any foreigner comes and commit crimes because in the past they have been able to flee or it can be difficult to find them,” ministry official Pongsathorn Chansri said.
Foreigners working in Thailand would not be required to have the SIM cards as they already have to register their details with authorities, Takorn said.
Since last year, foreigners who work in Thailand have to show their passports before obtaining pay-as-you-go SIM cards or mobile phone contracts. – AFP