Thai man arrested at Phuket Airport over computer crime charges

A 33 year old Thai man, accused of computer-related crime, was apprehended while attempting to depart from Thailand through Phuket International Airport.

The arrest took place around 10.30pm on November 20, in the international departures hall, according to immigration officers stationed at the airport.

The individual was sought after under arrest warrant No. 197/2566, issued by the Sisaket Provincial Court on August 8. The charges against the man stem from a violation of Section 14 (1) of the Computer Crime Act.

This law prohibits the introduction of distorted, counterfeit or false computer data into a computer system in a manner that could potentially cause harm to the general public. It is important to note that this offence does not fall under defamation as per the Criminal Code.

Upon conviction, an offender found guilty of breaching Section 14 may face a hefty fine of up to 100,000 baht, a prison term of up to five years, or possibly both.

Details surrounding the arrest were scant as airport immigration officers refrained from divulging any further information. Following his arrest, the man was transferred to the custody of the investigating officers from Muang Sisaket Police Station. This transfer was confirmed by the airport immigration offices, indicating the man is set to face the legal consequences of his alleged actions, reported Phuket News.

In related news, in a move aimed at preventing transnational crime, call centre scams and cybercrime, the governments of Thailand and China have come together in an unprecedented cooperative collaboration.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday played host to Xu Ganlu, the Vice Minister of Public Security and the hand at the helm of the National Immigration Administration of China. Read more about this story HERE.

In other news, Bangkok’s cybercrime division launched a raid that led to the arrest of a mother and daughter duo accused of conning over 50 million baht from their victims over a spiritual medium scam.

The two women set up a sham spiritual medium business, with the older woman and her 40 year old daughter, claiming to channel a deity and foretell the future. Having won the trust of their followers, they then encouraged them to invest in their fraudulent real estate business. Read more about this story HERE.