prepaid + ID card + bombings

[Chris]

I just heard in the news that from now on in Thailand users of prepaid phonecard will have to register (ie copy of id or passport) this in response to cellphones being used in the bombings.

Everyone has to register within 6 months or will have their service cut off.

I don't mind but it's highly unlikely this will stop the bombings:

1) It's trying to prevent bombings but does not relate to the core issue.

2) A bomb can still be activated by a call from abroad (let's say a terrorist being on the phone with abroad or via the internet counting down in a way while the party abroad dials the number in thailand).

3) The government said it would be easy to trace though as roaming calls can be traced.. indeed... but not if there is no need to register for prepaid cards in that country.

4) Mobile phone theft will surge in those provinces and other people will get to be the blame.

5) Terrorist will resort to other means of detonating bombs... i.e. radio controlled devices like walkie talkies, rc for miniature airplanes and such or even timed devices or devices that explode upon vibration (footsteps) nearby.

The idea seems ok but in my opinion it's just a useless proposal that will do nothing to solve the problem and even more... lures people into a false sense of security.

[robbie36]

I think it is a fair assumption that if a terrorist is capable of planting a bomb, he is also capable of stealing a mobile phone.

Did you know that you can buy a service that enables you to track someone's mobile phone - service offered by a subsidiary of Loxley? There is also a chip that you can buy (probably not legal) which enables you to bug someones mobile phone and listen to their conversations. Dont want you to feel paranoid or anything.

[robbie36]

I'm sure Taksin is up to something, since he proposed it and he owns AIS...

You are right. A company closely related to the PM will soon introduce a prepaid credit card. This will contain information on you as well as your current balance. You will be able to use it on the BTS, underground, tollways - charges will be deducted automatically without you even removing the card from your wallet. It can also be used for topping up your mobile phone or in retail outlets. Ultimately this card may replace the current 'butt prachachon'.

[g5665]

Well...i really dont see how can this stop the bombings...specially when that is a kind of Jihad...and they die as mastyrs... so?is even better if their identity could be officially proved?

Concerning to the privacy side of the sim-card pre-paid registration? well..here in Macau we do it since ever?and I totally agree with it?

There?s the article about the registration published on Yahoo?from AFP

?Tuesday April 19, 2:01 PM

Thailand to register all prepaid mobile phone cards to prevent bombings

Thailand has asked telecommunication agencies and mobile phone operators to register all users of prepaid services to prevent militants from using the phones to trigger bombs, senior officials said.

More than 640 people have been killed, several in bomb blasts, since a separatist insurgency erupted in Thailand's three Muslim-majority southern provinces in January 2004.

"All the mobile phone operators had agreed in principle to register SIM card buyers' information based on 13 digits on their identification card so that we can trace them," Khanawat Wasinsungvorn, vice minister for Information and Communication Technology, told reporters.

Most of more than 120 bombs detonated over the past 15 months, including a deadly blast earlier this month at the international airport in Hat Yai, southern Thailand's business hub and a tourist gateway to the region, were triggered by mobiles, the Matichon Daily newspaper reported, citing figures from its own tally and a security analyst.

Khanawat rejected press reports Tuesday that the ministry would cancel SIM cards for mobile phones whose users failed to register with authorities within six months of being asked to, or draft a law for that purpose.

"We will not go that far ... and we may offer incentives to them by handing out free pre-paid mobile cards" to those who register, Khanawat said.

Interior Minister Chidchai Vanasathidya said he was confident the measure would also help prevent drug trafficking and transnational crime.

"For a long time I've felt the need to control buying SIM cards ... so I hope all the public will cooperate for the sake of national security," Chidchai said.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday said he had asked concerned agencies to consider controlling public purchases of SIM cards as mobile phones were being used to trigger bomb attacks in the Muslim south.

"We have to have something that we can trace back whenever it is necessary, but we also have to maintain the people's privacy," Thaksin said.?

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[Loknar]

Don't blame Taksin for being related to prepaid cards.

Prepaid chip cards are present in all modern cities (e.g: not America). A chip card means its not magnetic and you can just wave it in front of a scanner to use it. Mainly used for phones and public transports in Tokyo, Hong Kong.. I am glad Bangkok will have a new one (a chip card not just for BTS or MRT) and cannot wait until they put scanners in buses too.

However if its true that Taksin ordered this while he owns a telephone plan company then of course its wrong.

[Loburt]

It's true it won't stop the bombings. And people can probably get counterfeit id cards almost as easily as stealing a mobile phone.

Still, for all sorts of security reasons, I think it's probably a good idea.

I don't see how Thaksin benefits from this. He wants to sell as many cards as possible, so the less requirements the better.

You never what stupid slip up a bomber or other criminal will make that will lead to them getting caught. To you and I it's obvious you wouldn't use your own phone if you were a terrorist wanting to detonate a bomb. But some of the people who get involved in these kinds of things aren't the brightest bulbs on the planet, even if they can plant a bomb.

If it helps nab even one of them, then great. You never know.