Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has shrugged off threats of cyber attacks as anti-computer law hackers stepped up their attacks on state websites Tuesday.
Speaking after Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut said many opponents of the amended computer crime law did not yet understand the law, and failed to study the essence of the amended legislation properly.
"Don't attach too much importance to them. I believe most people understand the reason and the need [for the amended law], though they do not step forward to speak," Gen Prayut said.
"To opponents of the law, I want to ask if they understand it. Some only pressed 'Like' and failed to study the essence of the law. The term 'public morals' is written into the law. Don't they know this?" he asked, adding that the internet and social media are awash with sales of illicit medicines, pornographic images and distortions.
The bill to amend the Computer Crime Act was passed by the National Legislative Assembly on Friday, with 168 votes in favour of it with five abstentions. Key changes were made to Section 20/1, which calls for the setting up of a five-member committee to screen computer information.
The committee can recommend authorities ask for 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".
Prior to the NLA's deliberation of the bill which was postponed from Thursday due to growing objections, opponents who believed the bill was designed to make way for a single internet gateway urged their supporters to disrupt the parliament's website on Thursday night to show their disapproval. The website was said to be temporarily unavailable.
Gen Prayut said the government has prepared measures to deal with cyber attacks.
He said it was impossible for hackers to cause much damage to anything, and they could only disrupt websites temporarily.
"Don't give them too much credit," Gen Prayut said.
Civilians Against Single Gateway Group continued its attack on government websites on Tuesday.
The group called on its supporters to attack the website of the Government Fiscal Management Information System and the Government Procurement Office.
On Monday, anti-computer law hackers launched cyber attacks on at least six government websites, including the websites of the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Digital Economy, to protest the amended computer crime law.
Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said he has instructed the Technology Crime Suppression Division under the Royal Thai Police to closely monitor and track down the hackers.
The hack attacks violate Section 14 of the amended Computer Crime Act and the penalty is a jail term of up to five years and/or a fine of no more than 100,000 baht, Gen Srivara said.
Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr said Tuesday the website of the Defence Ministry was still working, and a defence system is in place to protect against hacking.
Prinya Hom-anek, vice-president of the Thailand Information Security Association, said while cyber attacks are illegal, this is a good opportunity for government agencies to overhaul their cyber security systems and close loopholes.
Mr Prinya said there is information that websites run by more than 50% of state agencies still have flaws in terms of cyber security.
