Latest news with #NBTC
Bangkok Post
20 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
NCSA boosts cyber defence amid rising border tensions
The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) is reinforcing the resilience of critical infrastructure in preparation for potential cyberattacks, while the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) has warned against artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes in information warfare—particularly amid escalating tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border. NCSA has increased preparations for critical infrastructure—mainly in energy, telecom, finance and electricity—to prevent cyber warfare amid the rising tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, AVM Amorn Chomchoey, NCSA secretary-general, told the Bangkok Post on Thursday. 'We will closely monitor the situation with relevant agencies on a 24/7 basis, as the alert level has been raised from Yellow to Red,' said AVM Amorn. He added that the agency has stepped up preparations over the past two months, as several Cambodia-based hacker groups have allegedly engaged in periodic cyber warfare and disinformation campaigns. Moreover, AI-generated deepfake images are being used to fabricate scenes of a Thai F-16 jet being shot down, aiming to boost the morale of Cambodian soldiers. Sak Segkhoonthod, senior advisor of ETDA, warned media and online users to verify information before sharing during this intense period. In another development, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) ordered mobile phone service operators to increase cellular signal strength along the Thailand-Cambodia border to a normal level to support military communications in the area, according to Trairat Viriyasirikul, NBTC acting secretary-general. Earlier, the NBTC had directed telecom operators to reduce signal strength in the region to prevent cross-border signal spillover, which could be exploited for cybercrime or by call centre scams.
GSM Arena
16-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Xiaomi 15T Pro name and model number confirmed as it's spotted on Geekbench
Last year, Xiaomi unveiled the 14T and 14T Pro in late September, and the brand is now busy working on their successors. Thanks to a recent certification by NBTC in Thailand, we now know that the Xiaomi 15T Pro has the model number 2506BPN68G, where the "G" at the end stands for "global". Hence, it will probably launch in all the markets where the previous T-series devices have been available. The model number also gives us the 15T Pro's Geekbench run from a few days ago, now confirming that it is indeed this device. It managed a single-core score of 1,057 and a multi-core score of 4,009 in Geekbench 6.4.0 for Android, and as we usually say - don't pay much attention to such scores achieved by testing prototypes. The phone has been revealed to sport a MediaTek chipset, which aligns nicely with past rumors claiming it would be based on the Redmi K80 Ultra that launched in China in June with the Dimensity 9400+ at the helm. Do however keep in mind that the T series devices have rarely been direct rebrands recently, so while the 15T Pro is based on the K80 Ultra, there will be differences, most likely in the camera department. The battery could be in for a change too, the 15T Pro rumored to swap the K80 Ultra's 7,410 mAh unit for a 5,500 mAh cell with support for 90W fast wired charging. The Xiaomi 15T Pro has also been certified by the FCC, and that agency has mentioned it arriving in three storage versions: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. RAM will be 12GB for all three. Xiaomi 14T Xiaomi 14T Pro Via
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Foreign Office issues urgent warning for UK holidaymakers travelling to tourist hotspot as failing to abide by new law can result in jail
The Foreign Office has issued urgent warnings to UK holidaymakers travelling to a popular tourist hotspot. The new warnings come as sun-seekers prepare to flock to Thailand in search of sandy beaches and cheap drinks over summer. But the government has encouraged visitors to familiarise themselves with local legislation before travelling as failure to abide by the laws in Thailand can result in jail. Some of the new warnings cover drone flying, gambling, drinking and public behaviour. The new laws come after a series of incidents of foreign visitors being inebriated in public and causing disturbances in local venues. One of the updated laws explains that while flying a drone is not illegal in Thailand, if the equipment hasn't been registered then it is an offence. They added it must be flagged to Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of entering Thailand or purchasing a drone in Thailand even if you do not intend to fly it. Failure to do so could land you with a 100,000 baht (£2,281) fine, five years in prison or both. Several areas of Thailand also have different regulations and it's up to tourists to contact the NBTC to find out. Another warning is the zero-tolerance approach to illegal gambling. Thailand doesn't have any legal casinos, it is strongly against any underground gambling rings and that unofficial gambling could result in detention or even imprisonment. The government website also warned that in Thailand it is illegal to carry more than 120 playing cards and strongly suggested that visitors simply avoid gambling in the country altogether. The Foreign Office also noted differences in cultural practices relating to drinking and smoking and even dress. The new rules advised tourists that smoking in public in Thailand is illegal and can land you with a fine of up to 5,000 baht (£114). It added that e-cigarettes and vapes are also illegal and just having them in your pocket or bag could get you fined or imprisoned. The rules added that conditions in Thai prisons were notoriously tough and said: 'Conditions in prisons and other detention facilities in Thailand are harsh, with limited access to healthcare. Detainees have died in custody.' The new rules urged visitors to be mindful of their drinks too and stated that sexual assault can easily happen in tourist areas. In one video captured earlier this year a drunk British husband (pictured) flew into a rage and yelled at a waiter at a restaurant in Thailand They urged: 'Do not leave your drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers' as well as being aware that alcohol served in many Thai establishments can be stronger than in the UK. The new rules come after a string of incidents involving British tourists who failed to follow the proper precautions. In one video captured earlier this year a drunk British husband flew into a rage and yelled at a waiter at a restaurant in Thailand. David, 60, was collecting his Thai wife when he became aggressive at the Lee Zaab restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The couple left together but the retiree returned to the restaurant and launched a furious, drunken rant at the diners and staff. Police were called to the scene and eventually managed to calm him down and it is unknown whether he received a fine for his behaviour. Similarly two tourists in December last year had to be wheeled back to their hotels in trolleys by police after getting to drunk to walk. Authorities stepped in to help the girls, aged 19 and 23, back to their rooms after concerned partygoers failed to rouse them at bars on the party island of Koh Phi Phi in Krabi, Thailand, on November 29. Sergeant Major Saneh Jualaong stepped in to stop anybody taking advantage of them, borrowing a pushcart from a shop on the pier and wheeling the pair back to their accommodation. Their friends later helped to carry them to their rooms and hauled them onto their bunk beds, with the kind officer placing a blanket over one of them. In an incident in November, last year, a British tourist was rescued in Thailand after he fell from a hotel balcony while allegedly intoxicated and covered in faeces. The 51-year-old was staying at a hotel in a popular red-light district in a coastal resort city. Staff said they heard groans and banging in the room but thought nothing of it - until the man's legs tore through the ceiling of an adjacent internet café. The café, packed with late-night gamers, was thrown into chaos as the naked holidaymaker cried for help with his legs dangling through the floorboards, resulting in the police being called. Paramedics said they found the tourist in a dazed state and covered in excrement while half-lodged in the ceiling.
Bangkok Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Telecom spectrum in few private hands sparks national concern
As digital technology becomes the backbone of Thailand's economy and society, the nation's telecom spectrum—deemed a strategic public asset under Section 60 of the Constitution—is increasingly concentrated in the hands of just a few private companies. This shift, driven by recent mergers and spectrum auctions, has raised alarms over consumer rights, service quality, and national security. Despite widespread opposition from consumer organisations, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) approved the auction of key frequency bands—850 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz—with a 5:1:1 vote. The result: only two operators now control the majority of Thailand's telecom spectrum, a development experts warn could severely impact the country's 110 million mobile users. Research from the Consumer Council of Thailand reveals that the telecom market has become dangerously concentrated. Following recent mergers, competition has dwindled, leading to higher prices, poorer service, and fewer choices for consumers. Prepaid users—who make up 70–80% of the market and are mostly low-income—have been hit hardest, with prices rising by up to 16% and formerly affordable unlimited packages disappearing. Service quality has also declined. Around 30% of users report signal issues, with the figure rising to 50% in the Northeast. Contacting customer service has become more difficult, often requiring long waits through AI systems. Meanwhile, promotional offers and innovative products have sharply decreased, eroding consumer benefits. Beyond consumer impact, experts warn of long-term risks to national security. Dr. Chaiyot Jirabowornkul, an independent telecom scholar, notes that 99% of Thailand's mobile infrastructure is now privately owned. This raises concerns over data privacy and the state's ability to enforce public-interest policies, such as expanding coverage to remote areas or ensuring fair pricing for low-income groups. The lack of competition also threatens the development of Thailand's digital economy. Without rivals, telecom firms have little incentive to invest or innovate, potentially stalling progress and increasing costs for SMEs reliant on digital infrastructure. Regulatory failure has compounded the issue. The NBTC has been slow to implement key oversight measures, such as cost consultancy and price monitoring. Promised support for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) has yet to materialise, and existing anti-monopoly regulations remain unenforced. Experts argue that the problem lies not just in personnel but in outdated systems. The NBTC's analogue-era operations are ill-suited to the digital landscape it oversees. Proposed reforms include diversifying the NBTC's selection process to include consumer and tech experts, adopting real-time monitoring via IoT, and strengthening parliamentary and public oversight. To restore competition, analysts suggest empowering the state-owned National Telecom (NT) as a viable third player, mandating government agencies to use NT's network, and easing MVNO access to infrastructure. Legal reforms are also needed, with models like the UK's 2024 Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) offering a blueprint for modern regulation and enforcement. Thailand now stands at a crossroads. Will it allow its telecom spectrum—a public asset—to remain in the hands of a few, or will it act to protect consumer rights and national interests? As one expert put it, 'The only beneficiaries of these mergers are the company owners. The nation gains nothing. The people bear the cost.'
Bangkok Post
29-06-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Mobile phone bands auctioned off for B41bn
The auction of four mobile spectrum bands on Sunday generated more than 41 billion baht from the sales of the 1500MHz, 2100MHz, and 2300MHz bands to two major telecom operators, Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Corporation. There were no bids for the 850MHz band. AIS subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) and True subsidiary True Move H Universal Communication (TUC) were the only two qualified bidders in the auction, hosted by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, chairman of the NBTC board, said AWN proposed a total of around 14 billion baht to grab all three available sets of the 2100MHz band. It clinched the band by proposing a price of 4.9 billion per set, compared to the reserve price of 4.5 billion baht per set. The 2100MHz band was available in three sets of 10MHz of bandwidth, each at a price of 4.5 billion baht. The AWN total winning price on the 2100MHz is around 10% higher than the combined three sets of the band's reserve price. TUC proposed a total of 26.4 billion baht to grab the 2300MHz and 1500MHz bands: 21.7 billion baht for all seven available sets of the 2300MHz band, and a further 4.65 billion baht for four out of the total 11 sets of the 1500MHz available for the auction. The 2300MHz band was available in seven sets, each with 10MHz of bandwidth and a price of 2.59 billion baht each. TUC's winning price for the 2300MHz band is estimated to be 19.7% higher than the total reserve price of the combined seven sets of the 2300MHz. Eleven sets of the 1500MHz band were available, each with 5MHz of bandwidth at a price of 1 billion baht each. TUC's winning price for four sets of the 1500MHZ is around 10% higher than the combined four sets of the 1500 MHz's reserve price. The auction began at 9.30am and took only one hour to finish. The NBTC board held a meeting to acknowledge the auction result in the afternoon. Two sets of the 850MHz band were on sale, each containing 10MHz of bandwidth at a reserve price of 7.7 billion baht each. The NBTC board is slated to hold a meeting on Wednesday to consider all dimensions of the auction results.
