The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) said the plan is aimed at locating foreign visitors who are overstaying or running from the authorities.
But the NBTC assured that its proposal will not violate human rights.
“It is not to limit tourists’ rights. Instead it is to locate them which will help if there are some tourists who overstay or run away (from police),” Secretary General Takorn Tantasith was quoted by AFP as telling reporters.
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has supported the NBTC proposal, saying it will be helpful in locating foreigners who commit crimes.
Thailand. Favoured spot for the EFF and Western journos. Jokers. Sài Gòn Séamus (@SaiGonSeamus) August 10, 2016
“It will be helpful if any foreigner comes and commit crimes because in the past they have been able to flee or it can be difficult to find them,” said ministry official Pongsathorn Chansri.
The NBTC assured that before its implementation, the proposal will need to go through at least five public hearings and some procedures.
The plan, part of the drive to strengthen Thailand’s security, came up during the recent meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Telecommunication Regulations’ Council in Phuket.
Plan to introduce SIM tracking for tourists has drawn mostly negative reactions TZwTzhy9ss
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 10, 2016
A major global tourist destination, Thailand expects more than 30 million foreign visitors in 2016. With tropical beaches and centuries-old temples as top attractions, tourism has been a major revenue source for the military-ruled country, accounting for nearly a tenth of its economy.
But it’s not been clear whether the overseas visitors are required to buy the SIM cards or if they are available for free.
Takorn said foreigners working in the country are not required to have the location-tracking SIM cards since they only need to register with the authorities.
“We have no right to violate tourists’ privacy … If we disclose personal information without a court warrant, we could face five years in jail,” Takorn said. He earlier said authorities can only locate tourists using the location-tracking SIM cards through a court order.
The plan has received negative reactions from foreign tourists who feared the move is an invasion of privacy.
“I will never buy any local SIM card that allows the authorities to track my movements. This is an invasion of privacy,” Denmark’s Tim Ronning told the Bangkok Post.
For Russian Alex Petrov, the proposal “is discomfiting.”
