We launched our report on ‘AI’ and human rights in Thailand on 11 December. The report titled “Balancing Progress and Human Rights: Is Thailand Ready for Artificial Intelligence That Respects Human Rights?” assesses the readiness of Thailand in terms of its policies, frameworks, and practical implementations to ensure that ‘AI’ development and deployment align with international human rights standards.‘AI’ technologies, such as facial recognition and predictive policing, are being deployed extensively in regions such as the Southern Border Provinces, targeting marginalised communities under the guise of national security. These ‘AI’-driven systems exacerbate privacy violations and systemic inequalities, often operating beyond the reach of existing legal protections. The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the Computer Crime Act (CCA) enable extensive government surveillance through vague provisions and loopholes, further undermining privacy and freedom of expression

 

To address these overreaches, Thailand must overhaul its legal framework to establish robust protections for privacy and human rights. Closing loopholes in the PDPA, particularly around data collection for "state security," and reforming the CCA to limit warrantless surveillance are critical first steps. Legal standards must align with international norms.Without such measures, AI will continue to serve as a tool of oppression, deepening societal manipulation and setting a troubling precedent for human rights.. Protecting civil liberties demands immediate action to counterbalance the encroaching power of surveillance technologies.