Crime
Thai Authorities Propose Traceable SIM Cards for Mobile Phones Used by Foreigners
Traceable SIM cards for mobile phones used by foreign tourists.
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BANGKOK – Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has proposed the introduction of special SIM cards for mobile or smart phones used by foreign tourists while they are staying in Thailand.
NBTC secretary-general Thakorn Tanthasit said Wednesday that special SIM cards for mobile phones used by foreign tourists was put on trial use in Malaysia and the result is satisfactory in a way that the foreign visitors can be easily traced.
He pointed out that normally foreign tourists were required to inform immigration officials where they stay while in Thailand. With the introduction of special SIM cards, he said that the visitors would be traced more easily in case some of them might engage in illegal activities.
Once the proposal gets a greenlight from the telecom committee, Thakorn said he would invite representatives of mobile phone service providers for consultations, especially the technical aspect for the system.
He maintained that this is a matter of national security and it should not be deemed as a violation of the right to privacy of individuals.
Thai nationals are not required to use SIM cards which can be used to trace back to their locations because they were required to show their ID cards when they bought SIM cards, explained Mr Thakorn.
