Digital Minister Admits Thai Government Uses Pegasus To Spy On Drug Traffickers

Thailand's Minister of Economy and Digital Society, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, (photo: twitter @chaiwut96592378)

JAKARTA - A Thai minister has admitted his country is using surveillance software to track individuals in cases involving national security or illegal drugs. This admission comes amid revelations that government critics' phones had been hacked using the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware.

The Minister of Economy and Digital Society, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, said in parliament on Tuesday, July 19 that he was aware Thai authorities were using spyware in "limited" cases. But he did not specify which government agencies used the software, which programs were used, or which individuals were targeted.

Human rights groups have accused the Thai government of using a broad definition of national security as a pretext to prosecute or suppress the activities of their main competitor.

A joint investigation by Thai human rights group iLaw, Southeast Asia internet watchdog Digital Reach and Toronto-based Citizen Lab highlighted Monday, July 18 the use of the Pegasus spyware on at least 30 government critics between October 2020 and November 2021.

The investigation follows a mass warning from Apple Inc. in November 2021 which told thousands of its iPhone users, including in Thailand, that they were the target of "state-sponsored attackers".

Chaiwut did not name Pegasus but said he was aware of the spyware being used to "listen to or access mobile phones to view screens, monitor conversations, and messages". But he added his ministry had no legal authority to use the software and did not specify which government agency did.

"It's used for national security or drug issues. If you need to catch a drug dealer, you have to listen to find where the point is falling," he said. "I understand that there is a use of this kind but it is very limited and only in special cases."

Whereas the Ministry has previously denied knowing about this matter.

The latest allegations of spyware use came after the emergence of a youth-led movement in late 2020 that challenged the country's powerful monarchy and the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. More than 1.800 people have faced security-related charges since the movement began.

Thai police in a statement denied the use of Pegasus for surveillance or invasion of privacy.

Pegasus has been used by governments of various countries to spy on journalists, activists and dissidents. The Israeli company behind it, NSO Group, has been sued by Apple and put on a US trade blacklist.