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Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn,
said in parliament late on Tuesday that he is aware of Thai
authorities using spyware in "limited" cases but did not specify
which government agency used such software, which programme was
used or which individuals targeted.
Human rights groups have accused successive Thai governments of
using broad definitions of national security as a pretext to
prosecute or suppress activities of their main rivals.
A joint investigation by Thai human rights group iLaw, Southeast
Asian internet watchdog Digital Reach and Toronto-based Citizen
Lab highlighted on Monday the use of Pegasus spyware on at least
30 government critics between October, 2020 to November, 2021.
The probe followed a mass alert from Apple Inc. in November
informing thousands of users of its iPhones, including in
Thailand, that they were targets of "state-sponsored attackers".
Chaiwut did not name Pegasus but said that he is aware of
spyware being used to "listen into or access a mobile phone to
view the screen, monitor conversations and messages". But he
added his ministry does not have the legal authority to use such
software and did not specify which government agency does.
"It is used on national security or drug matters. If you need to
arrest a drug dealer you have to listen in to find where the
drop would be," he said.
"I understand that there was usage of this sort but it is very
limited and only in special cases."
His ministry has previously denied any knowledge of the matter.
The most recent alleged use of the spyware comes after the
emergence of a youth-led movement in late 2020 that challenged
the country's powerful monarchy and the government of Prime
Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. More than 1,800 people have faced
security-related charges since the movement began.
Thai police in a statement denied the use of Pegasus for
surveillance or breaches of privacy.
Pegasus has been used by governments to spy on journalists,
activists, and dissidents and the Israeli firm behind it, NSO
Group, has been sued by Apple and placed on a U.S. trade
blacklist.
NSO Group did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment on
Monday or Wednesday.
(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
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