Protesters Block Thai Websites Over Plan For Single Gateway

The sites went offline at 22:00 local time on Wednesday. DDOS attacks reportedly use bots or programs to over exceed the website’s capability to handle traffic.

After the attack, Thairath News reported that the Crime Suppression Division of the Thai Police announced that attackers of the government websites could be charged under Article 10 of the 2007 Computer Crime Act for such action.

A change.org petition opposing the single gateway initiative passed 100,000 signatures as of Wednesday.

Internet portals will be the points on a network in which the world-wide internet is connected to by a state.

A single gateway handling a lot of data would slow down internet services and might cause nationwide internet services to collapse totally if there was a technical problem.

But the sector was deregulated in 2006, allowing dozens of companies to open their own access points – resulting in dramatically increased Internet speeds and Thailand emerging as a regional IT hub.

“We will not interfere in the use of Internet or social media”, he said. However, the minister added the Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who directed last year’s coup as then military chief, was concerned about a few “improper advice” obtained by Thais, especially adolescents.

Since seizing power Thailand’s generals have ramped up censorship, blocking scores of sites and pursuing online critics with criminal charges and so-called attitude adjustment sessions.

Government officials have given different explanations for the plan, including that it would save money and stop young people from accessing inappropriate sites, and have said in response to criticism that it is still under study.