The Pheu Thai Party has stepped up its demands for a revision of the controversial Computer Crime Act, saying hacking attacks had intensified to the point that the government had no choice but to sit down with the bill's opponents.
Surapong Tovichakchaikul. who was foreign minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government, said yesterday it was alarming that hackers opposed to the law could launch cyber attacks on government websites and disrupt financial systems after the amended law passed the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Dec 16.
He said government agencies had spent vast amounts of money on the installation of computerised databases yet they were still vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Mr Surapong said it was time for the government to admit it could not keep up with the hackers. He urged the administration to instigate talks with them to discuss their differences.
The NLA should not be concerned about losing face if it has to accept demands for a review of the law.
He said the solution would be for the National Council for Peace and Order to instruct NLA members to sign a petition for amendments to the law and have it revised by the assembly.
Putting into force the amended law as it now stands should be deferred, Mr Surapong said.
Pheu Thai acting deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said it was ironic that while the government is trying to steer the country towards a digital high-tech environment under its Thailand 4.0 economic development model, the computer crime law was sparking protests and creating hesitation among potential foreign investors.
Pheu Thai Party acting secretary-general Phumtham Vechayachai wrote on Facebook yesterday that the government should be more open-minded.
He urged it not to view the concerns of the 500,000 people who signed an online petition against the amended law as "ill-intentioned".
While the government is formulating steps to combat and prevent cyber threats, it must take into account any actions that violate the rights of the media and the public, Mr Phumtham said.
Democrat Party deputy leader Ong-art Klampaibul said yesterday if the government believes the law does not violate people's rights, then it needs to try harder to explain the law to the public.
"Misunderstandings, and a lack of understanding, may linger, so the government must create understanding," Mr Ong-art said.
After being passed by the NLA, the law is now awaiting royal endorsement.
One of the key changes made to the law calls for the establishment of a five-member committee to screen computer information.
The committee can recommend authorities seek a court order which grants them permission to remove or block content even if it does not violate any law but is considered a breach of "public morals".
Mr Ong-art echoed the view that the government and opponents of the law should meet for talks.
Army chief Gen Chalermchai Sitthisart has refused to comment on reports that five members of the Civilians Against Single Gateway were in custody for questioning over the hacking.