The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) urges the public to pay attention to "communications sovereignty," a threat in the AI ​​era that requires urgent protective measures.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) warns that Thailand risks losing its "communications sovereignty" after foreign big tech companies seized nearly 100% of Thai data. The NBTC points out that the country's communication system is severely vulnerable, likening it to "losing extraterritorial rights in cyberspace." It emphasizes that leaving the situation unchecked risks interference and brainwashing via AI algorithms. The NBTC outlines three survival strategies: accelerating the development of domestic technology, strictly controlling multinational platforms, and consolidating ASEAN power to control the country's digital destiny before it's too late.

June 14, 2569 – As the global context changes, “security threats” are no longer limited to military conflict but are subtly infiltrating daily life through technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Recently, at the academic seminar “National Security in a Volatile World: Economy, Society, and New Forms of Threats,” organized by the 7th Executive Security Management Program at the National Defence College (NDC) on June 6, 2569, a crucial issue that Thailand urgently needs to recognize was “Communication Sovereignty.”

Air Vice Marshal Dr. Thanaphan Hraicharoen, a member of the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission), reflected on the strategic perspective that, in addition to call center gangs or scammers that cause immense damage, Thailand is facing an even more serious “silent threat” : the loss of its independence in controlling, regulating, and protecting communication systems, information, and digital infrastructure from foreign interference.

"If sovereignty in the past was about protecting land, waters, and airspace, today's 'communications sovereignty' is about protecting cyberspace boundaries, so that Thailand does not become merely a 'system tenant or consumer' forced to submit to the rules of giant multinational corporations."

Air Vice Marshal Dr. Thanapan has divided the dimensions of cybersecurity that require monitoring into four main areas :

1. Infrastructure Sovereignty: The authority to oversee submarine cables, base stations, satellite systems, and data centers within the country to mitigate geopolitical risks and prevent signal disruptions during crises.
2. Data Sovereignty: The protection of personal and security data under Thai law (e.g., Sovereign Cloud) is crucial because currently, almost 100% of Big Data reflecting the behavior of Thai people is stored on servers of large foreign technology companies.
3. Legal and regulatory sovereignty: The state must have the power to enforce laws and establish guidelines for dealing with offending platforms, transcending the limitations of "the law doesn't reach them" to effectively tackle fake news and illegal content.
4. Content and Cultural Sovereignty: Protecting citizens from being ideologically manipulated, having their values ​​dominated, or being fed information designed to create political division through algorithms of foreign platforms.

Warning sign: Thailand is facing digital vulnerability.

Currently, Thailand's communication system is highly vulnerable , not because of poor internet signal, but because of its almost complete reliance on foreign technology. Furthermore, most Thais are willing to provide personal information in exchange for convenience.

This situation is akin to the "loss of extraterritorial rights" of the past, where, when problems arose online, the government had to beg or comply with the rules of foreign platforms instead of using Thai law. This challenge is becoming more alarming as IT giants begin to provide internet services via low Earth orbit satellites, directly to consumers. If Thailand does not have countermeasures, it may lose its digital sovereignty from the beginning to the end of the supply chain.

Three ways to survive: Urgently build a national defense shield.

To prevent Thailand from losing its power to determine its own digital direction, Air Vice Marshal Dr. Thanapan proposed three main approaches to address the issue:

1. To create and develop its own technology, Thailand needs to shift its role from "consumer" to "creator," by supporting and promoting the development of domestically produced digital infrastructure and platforms. This will reduce dependence on foreign technology, enabling the country to achieve true independence and control over data security.
2. Proactive regulatory enforcement is crucial. Governments and relevant agencies must take the initiative to establish appropriate and effective guidelines and measures for regulating multinational platforms, including OTT services, in order to break down outdated legal constraints and instead protect public interests, particularly children and youth, from being influenced by inappropriate content, values, or manipulation.
3. Regional collaboration is crucial because fighting against overpowered tech giants alone may not be enough bargaining power for Thailand. Therefore, Thailand must seek cooperation and build strong alliances with ASEAN member states to create collective bargaining power internationally, jointly set standards, and sustainably protect the region's digital interests.

"In the past, whoever controlled the energy and electricity systems controlled the nation's industry and economy. Today, whoever controls the communications and information systems controls the economy, society, and even the thoughts and political power of the people. Therefore, as future administrators and leaders, we must work together to build this protective shield for the security of our future generations."

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