From August 23, 2008 all businesses and schools in Thailand must keep their internet usage logs available for government inspection or face a Bt500,000 fine.

The big Brother inspection will be strictly enforced following a one year grace period  following the introduction of the 2007 Computer Crime Act, which is designed to ease the investigation of internet related crimes.

The Act requires all computer based businesses to store their computer information, including the “identification details registered with websites or online applications, logs of internet use, internet protocol addresses and URLs to websites surfed by those users” for 90 days.

The requirement is on businesses and educational facilities and does not apply to personal computers used in a home environment.

In hand with the new laws is a new legal requirement for all office and organizations throughout the kingdom to synchronize their time to Thai Standard Time (TST). Failing to comply with these regulations could result in a fine of between Bt100,000 and Bt500,000.

TST is a Thai reference to international standard time set by International Bureau of Weights and Measures headquartered in Paris and is available on radio and on the Thai hydrographic department’s website at www.navy.mi.th/hydro/time.

Full details of the original news item can be viewed at www.bangkokpost.com/220808_News/22Aug2008_news96.php