As part of Thailand’s continuous dialogue and cooperation with all partners in the Asia-Pacific/ Indo-Pacific region, Thai Minister of Digital Economy and Society and Chinese Deputy Minister of the Cyberspace Administration recently discussed cooperation on combatting online scams and other cyber threats, emphasizing progress through continued partnerships.
On 29 May 2024, Prasert Chandraruangthong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), welcomed a delegation from the Cyberspace Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CAC), led by Deputy Minister Wang Jingtao, to discuss ways to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation between the two countries.
Minister Prasert highlighted the success achieved through this collaboration, particularly in addressing and mitigating cyber threats affecting both nations. He emphasized the importance of continued international cooperation to effectively prevent and solve issues related to cybercrime, such as call center scams that have impacted both Thai and Chinese citizens.
The discussions underscored the mutual commitment to enhance cybersecurity knowledge and capabilities. Both sides expressed their enthusiasm for strengthening and developing
joint initiatives to combat cyber threats, which is crucial for protecting digital assets and ensuring the well-being of the populations.
A significant portion of the dialogue was dedicated to the ongoing issue of call center scams. Minister Prasert and Deputy Minister Wang Jingtao agreed on the necessity of a coordinated approach to tackle this problem. They discussed strategies for sharing intelligence, best practices, and technological innovations to dismantle these criminal networks and address the complex and dynamic nature of cyber threats. By working together, Thailand and China aim to create a more secure cyberspace, safeguarding their citizens from malicious activities.
The Meeting was later highlighted by Deputy Government Spokeswoman Kenika Ounjit, who emphasized the government’s commitment to combat cybercrime and Prime Minister’s order for all relevant agencies to continue their utmost efforts to prevent and combat online crimes that have caused widespread social and economic damages in the country.
This is part and parcel of Thailand’s comprehensive engagement with various countries in the Asia-Pacific/ Indo-Pacific region to counter the common threat posed by cybercrime and complements Thailand’s cooperation within ASEAN, through ASEAN’s engagement with Dialogue Partners, including the U.S., and within other regional and multilateral frameworks.
Sources: https://www.thairath.co.th/news/politic/2789471
https://www.opengovasia.com/2024/05/29/thailand-and-china-unite-for-cyber-resilience/
