Bangkok: The House Committee on Communications is investigating a potential leak of government information that could impact 6.7 million citizens. The Committee received a letter highlighting security vulnerabilities that may allow unauthorized access to personal information.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Alongkot Maneekas, Chairman of the Committee on Communications, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy and Society, along with other committee members, received the request from Mr. Thanarat Kuawattanaphan, a software engineer. The letter detailed vulnerabilities in a government agency's system, where ordinary users could escalate privileges to gain access to sensitive data. Reports indicate that critical vulnerabilities in the system were reported twice, on March 20, 2026, and June 8, 2026. The vulnerabilities pose a systemic risk, affecting identity verification, user access control, and data logging. Approximately 6.7 million individuals' data could be at risk, with potential black market trading of the information.
Mr. Maneekas expressed concerns about the data leak involving critical personal information, which scammers could exploit. The Committee plans to invite relevant agencies for discussions and further investigation. Their priorities include enhancing personal data protection measures and establishing cybersecurity standards for both government and private sectors. They also aim to integrate efforts to prevent and combat cyber threats, promote digital literacy, and ensure citizens' rights protection.
Mr. Pawut Pongwitthayaphanu, Third Vice Chairman of the Committee, noted that government data leaks have occurred repeatedly, with agencies often failing to take responsibility. The Committee intends to address this incident systematically, raising awareness about the importance of data security among government agencies.
Ms. Kardee Leowpairoj, Fifth Vice Chairperson, emphasized the sensitivity of the leaked data and supported the need for legal oversight and procedural adherence. She stressed the importance of citizens knowing the extent of their data leaks to protect themselves, alongside stronger law enforcement and security measures as the country advances in the digital economy.