Ramadan Proposes 229 Baht Budget Cut to Block Spyware
MP Ramadan Panjor proposes a symbolic 229 baht cut to the Royal Thai Police's southern budget to halt the purchase of Israeli phone-hacking software.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Ramadan Panjor debates the 1.742 billion baht southern border police budget
- Proposes a symbolic 229 baht cut to halt the purchase of Israeli phone-hacking spyware
- Cites security case statistics from 2004-2026 showing 74% unsolved cases
- Raises concerns over deploying special surveillance tools under martial law
During the budget deliberation session, list MP Ramadan Panjor from the People's Party debated the Royal Thai Police budget allocated for the southern border provinces, totaling 1.742 billion baht. He stated that law enforcement officers in the region perform multiple duties and rely heavily on technology to counter violence and handle security cases. However, security case statistics from the 2004 to 2026 fiscal years reveal severe limitations in investigative work, notably in July 2026, which recorded a cumulative total of 11,808 security-related cases.
The data shows that an overwhelming 74% of these cases failed to identify perpetrators, with only one in four cases successfully identifying suspects. Furthermore, when cases reached the court, acquittal rates surpassed conviction rates, with courts dismissing 5.7% of cases while convicting only 5.4%. These figures underline structural constraints in investigations and overall justice administration, driving agencies to seek technological solutions to strengthen evidence collection and apprehend wrongdoers.
While technology can enhance evidence gathering and potentially reduce torture risks during interrogations, it introduces new threats to civil liberties and personal privacy. Ramadan pointed to a 57.42 million baht project for renewing and upgrading mobile phone and computer data extraction systems for deep investigation. This project involves purchasing mobile data management licenses from an Israeli technology company capable of bypassing mobile phone passwords.
"This special tool carries high risks. As Al Jazeera reported, this technology is considered blood technology due to its widespread use in military operations against civilians in Gaza and Palestine."
Ramadan Panjor
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Ramadan stated that deploying such invasive tools against ordinary citizens, particularly in areas under special security laws, martial law, and the Emergency Decree where arrests can occur without formal charges, presents grave risks. He emphasized that under UN international principles regarding business and human rights, the state as a major technology purchaser has a duty to vet the human rights track record of technologies prior to acquisition, rather than focusing solely on price and technical specifications.
The acquisition of advanced spyware and digital extraction tools in conflict-affected regions frequently sparks international concern due to the lack of transparent oversight and data protection safeguards. Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights serves as a crucial framework for civil society and legislators to demand government accountability when deploying digital tools that directly impact fundamental freedoms.
Additionally, Ramadan addressed a 50 million baht security database development project known locally as the "Honeycomb system," designed to collect mobile communication data and establish databases in Yala and Songkhla. He highlighted critical concerns arising from the investigation into the assassination of Kamornsak Leewamae, a Prachachat Party MP for Narathiwat, where police invoked Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) authority to compel mobile operators to hand over phone usage records for 2 million numbers in the southern border provinces, raising potential constitutional violations. He also questioned a 53 million baht Southern Border Forensic Science Center project over involuntary DNA collection and a 1.125 billion baht personnel allowance split into three separate funds.
Concluding his debate, Ramadan displayed a slide featuring the number "229" and proposed a symbolic budget cut of 229 baht to ensure that future budget allocations prioritize human rights, personal freedoms, and the background vetting of acquired technologies.
Source: Matichon Politics
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