Welcome to the digital frontier of Thailand—from the bustling markets of Bangkok to the serene landscapes of Chiang Mai, the Thai people are as connected as they are varied. Yet, lurking beneath the lure of online connectivity lies a shadowy figure: cybercrime, with damages so vast they could rival the legendary treasures of Siam, cresting at a staggering 50 billion baht this year alone. The tale of this cyber scourge comes courtesy of AIS, Thailand’s telecommunications titan, as they unveil a tableau of digital threats that have made a playground out of the virtual space.
Embarking on their noble steed, Saichon Submakudom, AIS’s stalwart sentinel of investor relations and a champion for a sustainable digital realm, imparts a narrative of disparity and danger. Captivating her audience on a bright Thursday, she unfurled a parchment—the AIS digital skillfulness index—which painted a vivid scene: residents of Thailand’s North and West hold the chalice of digital knowledge with hesitant hands, their skills mere shadows of their counterparts in the realm’s other dominions. It is here that Saichon casts her plea for a crusade of education, a clarion call for the government to hoist the banners of digital literacy and march into these lands.
Since the eve of last April, when AIS unveiled its fortress against digital deceit—the 1185 AIS Spam Report Centre—this sentry has kept vigilant watch. With over 1.6 million reports of dubious digital chicaneries, AIS’s sentinels have been relentless, each report a pebble contributing to the mountain of evidence amassed and handed over to the kingdom’s pursuers of justice.
Saichon, with a furrowed brow, recounts the most dastardly of deceits: the Online Merchant’s Mirage, a scam of such fiendish cunning that it has pilfered over 2.3 billion baht from unsuspecting victims, peddling phantom wares and services. Followed close by the Part-Time Job Ploy, the Loan Service Labyrinth, and the Online Investment Illusion, these digital bandits weave a web of lies and false promises, ensnaring the hopeful and the unwary alike.
Yet there is light within this digital tableau, cast by the glow of the AIS Thailand Cyber Wellness Index 2023—a beacon of knowledge. With revelations that could fill the halls of Wat Phra Kaew, we learn that an impressive 87.97% of Thais stand aware and vigilant against the spectre of cyberbullying. Meanwhile, nearly half have grasped the concept of digital rights—a promising sign that the tide may be turning. Furthermore, digital relationships and communications, the very sinews that bind our online communities, have found strong footholds, engaging and enabling over half the population in collaborative ventures of work and friendship.
For those wishing to venture deeper into this digital odyssey, the full report awaits, a treasure ready for the taking at the vault of knowledge that is AIS’s dedicated portal. So saddle your virtual steeds, dear netizens of Thailand, and carry forth the torch of digital enlightenment. For in the vast expanse of the internet, it is wisdom, education, and collaboration that will keep the shadows at bay.
Be First to Comment