On 23 September, Manushya Foundation, an NGO promoting community empowerment in Asia, will be launching a study on ‘Thailand’s Cybersecurity Act: Towards a more human-centered act’ at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) in Bangkok.
The study is conducted in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangkok, Thai Netizen Network, Access Now, Association for Progressive Communication (APC), and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
Taking into account the recent passing of the controversial National Cybersecurity Act in Parliament by the Royal Thai Government, which gives sweeping powers to state cyber-agencies, many are concerned on its negative effects to local communities and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
Hence, in line with international human rights standards, the study aims to promote a human-centered approach to cybersecurity in order to protect the people, while opposing it being misused for control and surveillance of citizens.
The launch will hear from regional and international experts on cybersecurity, digital rights, online freedom, data privacy, and communications infrastructure.
The event will be moderated by Debbie Stothard, Secretary General, FIDH and Coordinator, ALTSEAN-Burma Ambassador, and will hear insights from expert speakers including:
- Ambassador H.E. Kees Rade, Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Bangkok
- Klaikong Vaidhyakarn, Member of Parliament, Future Forward Party (FWP)
- Emilie Pradichit, Founder & Director, Manushya Foundation (MF)
- Dr. Bhume Bhumiratana, Advisor to the National Cybersecurity Preparation Committee (Interim)
- Arthit Suriyawongkul, Co-Founder and Coordinator, Thai Netizen Network
- Naman M. Aggarwal, Asia Pacific Policy Counsel, Access Now
- Pavitra Ramanujam, Network and Development Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
- Jeff Paine, Managing Director, Asia Internet Coalition (AIC)
