NLA passes new cyber law

BANGKOK, Dec 17 (TNA) -- The National Legislative Assemble or NLA has voted unanimously on Friday to pass an amendment to the 2007 Computer Crime Act in a third reading against opposition by the public. The NLA meeting, which was presided over by the NLA Vice President Surachai Liangboonlertchai, had voted on the second and third reading of the cyber-crime bill. Chair of the NLA's Computer Crime Act drafting committee Pol Gen Chatchwan Suksomjit, meanwhile, pointed out there are a total of 19 articles in the bill, in which 15 were amended and three new articles were added. Pol Gen Chatchawan stressed that throughout the considerations of the amendments to the bill, the committee had taken into account the general public's opinions and suggestions, before it had proposed the new changes to the Cabinet, after which the adjustments were approved. He said the NLA later voted unanimously to pass the act, with 168 yes and 5 abstentions. Pol Gen Chatchawan also gave a press conference after the voting yesterday, to express his thanks to both the supporting and opposition groups to the bill, noting that if more signatures against bill could be gathered after the they were presented to the NLA on Friday, they would be welcomed, adding that his committee has been continuously providing various stages to take the people's opinions into considerations. He said the new amendment has nothing to do with the single internet gateway like most feared, asking advocacy groups to refrain from turning the issue into a concern and confusing the public. The amendments, reports said, would allow state officials to obtain user and traffic data from service providers without court approval. The new bill would have to be signed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun before it could be used as a law. (TNA)