Country: Kingdom of Thailand

Committee: Commission on crime prevention and criminal justice (CCPCJ)

Topic: Strengthening cyber-infrastructure to counter cyber-terrorism and crime
Delegation: Dubai Gem Private School

In the fast-growing world of today, the Kingdom of Thailand is alarmed over the rising threat of levels of
cyber terrorism and crime. We believe it requires immediate attention, especially in the case of our envoy
states; China, the USA and particularly Russia, where cybersecurity is vulnerable. Thailand is of the
strong opinion that immediate and coordinated action must be taken. As these cyber-attacks develop, it is
more important than ever to band together and strengthen the cyber defence, and Thailand recognises
that although it may be manageable for most member states to allocate resources to it, for some Member
States this may be difficult because countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen are Somalia are already
under-resourced and have other priorities. cybersecurity is expensive, and chief responsibility centres
need support in prioritising. However, other countries like Russia, China and Iran also struggle politically
or diplomatically with possible cybersecurity allies hence, there may be limited potential for information
sharing and joint defence. Nevertheless, national border restrictions should not be an obstacle in terms of
geopolitical differences, urged by Thailand, to establish global cooperation in cyber security.

In Thailand, cyber-terrorism is one of the many cases that are attacking mainly the general public, as they
focus on influencing people of similar beliefs by transmitting false information. In 2021, the number of
cyber-attacks was 2,250. Hence, Thailand is one of the countries with the highest awareness of
cybersecurity threats, according to the Cyber Security Act of 2017. Thailand is well prepared for cyber
threats through state policies and laws and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society controls every
cyber-related mission. The CyberSecurity Act is a tool meant to oversee, forestall, address, and minimize
cyber threats to critical information infrastructure. All key informants agree that according to the definition
of these, there is no true cyberterrorism in Thailand. Nonetheless, some cases are closer to that
definition. The first example occurred in 2015 and started as a seemingly criminal attack against the
state’s intent to block sites they viewed as inappropriate. This proposal became known as the ‘Great
Firewall of Thailand’ and appeared to gain support from at least 10,000 Thai citizens. The form of the
attack was to make Government sites (such as the main Thai.go.th site) inaccessible through distributed
denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Even the site for the Ministry of Information, communications, and
Technology (ICT) was targeted. Interestingly, those responsible saw what they did as a form of civil
disobedience, rather than an attack and certainly not a form of cyberterrorism. This situation is an
example of what the Thai Government would say falls within the definition of cyberterrorism. However,
even though there was a political aim behind this activity, the impact of this situation did not cause huge
damage to life or property. It was minor computer networking damage that indirectly resulted in the
government’s discredit.

The Thai Government responds to cyber-terrorism incidents using a model similar to that of the European
Union (EU), with CERTs playing a key role in coordinating responses to major incidents like attacks on
critical infrastructure. This approach ensures that all relevant stakeholders are involved in the response
efforts. To effectively combat cyber-terrorism, Thailand aims to enhance its legal framework to cover all
aspects of cyber activities and collaborate with international law enforcement. However, addressing
cyber-terrorism requires more than just international law due to the sovereignty of each state. Thailand
recognizes the importance of cooperating with cyber-community alliances and strengthening its legal
system to combat cyber-terrorists within its borders. Employing a strategy akin to "cyber-surgery," the
government seeks to identify cyber attackers' motives, methods, and supporters gradually. Additionally,
there is a need to improve technology skills and cyber security awareness among government officers
through training and updated information-sharing platforms. Notably, the government has apprehended
304 individuals under the Computer Misuse Act 2017, treating them similarly to other prisoners. The
government needs to recognize the potential value of these individuals' computer skills for future
cybersecurity efforts and provide specialised rehabilitation programs tailored to their needs.
Country: Kingdom of Thailand
Committee: Commission on crime prevention and criminal justice (CCPCJ)
Topic: Advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: towards the achievement of the
2030 Agenda
Delegation: Dubai Gem Private School

Thailand's position at 82 out of 142 countries in the 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index shows there's room for
improvement, with scores falling below the regional average across eight key factors. While progress has
been made in the civil justice system, the criminal justice system faces specific challenges, especially in
fully protecting victims' rights and implementing Restorative Justice. One key challenge is changing the
attitudes of crime victims and judges towards Restorative Justice practices. Society's expectation for
harsh punishment also puts strain on the courts and the criminal justice system. The current Mediation
and Reconciliation process focuses mainly on victims and offenders, often leaving out the broader
community. Victims may also be hesitant to engage with offenders in this process. Despite introducing
Restorative Justice in the juvenile system in 2010, its broader integration into the criminal justice system
remains incomplete.

Internationally, efforts to advance crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law towards the 2030
Agenda are significant. United Nations Congresses on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, alongside
initiatives like the Doha Declaration and the Kyoto Declaration, stress the need for effective strategies to
achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16. These initiatives highlight global cooperation,
capacity-building, and comprehensive approaches to address emerging challenges like cybercrime and
human trafficking. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) plays a vital role in supporting
countries to implement crime prevention measures and strengthen the rule of law. Regional organizations
like Europol and ASEAN also make substantial contributions within their regions, collectively underscoring
the crucial role of crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law in creating safer and more
inclusive societies worldwide.

Member states can make significant strides in addressing crime prevention, criminal justice, and the rule
of law by implementing targeted plans. This includes enacting legislative reforms to strengthen criminal
laws and align with international standards, investing in capacity-building for law enforcement and the
judiciary, fostering community engagement through initiatives like community policing and crime
prevention programs, establishing robust victim support services, integrating crime prevention education
into school curriculums, leveraging technology for law enforcement and cybersecurity, enhancing
international cooperation through mutual legal assistance and joint operations, combating corruption with
anti-corruption measures, promoting accountability and transparency within institutions, and establishing
effective monitoring mechanisms to assess policy effectiveness. These comprehensive actions will
collectively contribute to building safer and fairer societies within member states.

To address the challenges highlighted in Thailand's criminal justice system and advance crime
prevention, criminal justice, and the rule of law towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, member
states and the United Nations should prioritize several key steps. Firstly, there should be a focus on
enhancing victim-centred approaches, ensuring that victims' rights are protected and that they have
access to effective remedies and support services. Secondly, promoting restorative justice practices, such
as mediation and reconciliation, should be encouraged and integrated into legal frameworks to address
the needs of victims, offenders, and the wider community affected by crime. Thirdly, investing in
capacity-building and training for criminal justice professionals, including judges and law enforcement
personnel, is essential to ensure the effective implementation of these approaches. Additionally, fostering
international cooperation and sharing best practices among member states can facilitate the exchange of
knowledge and resources to strengthen criminal justice systems globally. By taking these steps, member
states and the UN can contribute to achieving sustainable development goals related to justice, peace,
and inclusive societies by 2030.