A user’s guide to Thailand’s controversial new data protection law

13 Sept 09:46 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) of 2019, modeled after the EU's GDPR, officially takes effect on June 1, 2022, after being postponed twice since 2019.
The law requires explicit consent for collecting, processing, or disclosing personal data, applying to both domestic and international entities handling data of Thai individuals.
Violations of the PDPA carry significant civil, administrative, and criminal penalties, including fines up to 1 million baht and potential jail time, while granting data owners rights such as access, rectification, and erasure.
Despite multiple delays, a substantial number of Thai businesses, especially SMEs, remain unprepared for compliance, leading to concerns about legal challenges, executive liability, and potential impacts on foreign investment.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.