Priya PatelIn a move to protect the personal information of 55 million Thai citizens, the Criminal Court in Thailand has ordered the blocking of the website 9near.org. The site’s operator, known as “9Near – Hacktivist,” claimed to have accessed sensitive data such as full names, birthdates, ID card numbers, and phone numbers from vaccine registration records. This prompted action from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES).
In recent reports, there has been a surge in data leaks and cyberattacks in Thailand. Cybercriminals, identified as Naraka, are circulating large volumes of stolen personal information obtained from breached platforms. They are targeting various sectors, including e-commerce, fintech, and government resources, by exploiting “Know Your Customer” (KYC) documents. Threat actors are using this stolen information to defraud Thai citizens and attack financial organizations.
One notable incident involved Naraka listing a data dump for sale on a breach forum, affecting one of Thailand’s largest bookstores and impacting over 160,000 users. Other data breaches have affected entities like the Bangkok Industrial Gas Company Limited and a stock trading platform, highlighting the escalating cyber threats in Thailand.
Given these challenges, cybersecurity firm Resecurity has called for robust cybersecurity strategies, stringent data privacy regulations, and a culture of digital vigilance in Thailand. These measures are crucial not only for protecting citizens’ privacy and security but also for reinforcing Thailand’s reputation as a secure player in the international digital arena.
