VZCZCXRO5380
RR RUEHCHI
DE RUEHBK #1985 0950402
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050402Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6064
INFO RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 3396
UNCLAS BANGKOK 001985
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IIP/G/EAP (EKENEALY); INFO EAP/PD (JDAVIES, DFIRESTEIN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO TH
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR U.S. SPEAKER FOR DVC ON COMPUTER FORENSICS
1. Program Description: A 120 minute-long digital video conference
2. Date and Time of Program: APRIL 25, 2007, 9:00-11:00PM EST (APRIL
26, 8:00-10:00AM Bangkok time)
3. Background: In January 2007, Thailand's National Legislative
Assembly (NLA) approved for consideration a Cyber Crime bill, which
is currently under scrutiny of the Special Committee appointed by
the NLA. The main purpose of this review is to amend some legal
concepts and to make it much more practical and efficient in taking
legal action against cyber crime perpetrators. The Cyber Crime bill
will establish criteria to determine criminal offenses committed by
cyber crime perpetrators; establish a special cyber cop agency or
entity to enforce this law by giving it more power to compile
electronic evidence sent via the Internet and by electronic devices;
and empower the State through the Ministry of Information and
Communications Technology (MICT) under the court' s review to block
or close websites which display content illegal under Thai law, such
as pornography, terrorist support, and contempt of the King.
Currently there is no law enabling the government to order Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) to close websites containing this sort of
content. The MICT makes formal requests of Internet service
providers to block websites "voluntarily."
The Members of the Special Committee are now studying problems,
solutions and experiences of U.S. federal, state, and local
authorities in enforcing cyber crime laws. One of the issues
currently being debated within the Special Committee concerns
computer forensics data compilation from online service providers
(OSPs), Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecom operators.
The Special Committee wants to study the U.S. experience in this
area before passing this bill to the NLA for further promulgation.
This DVC, the third installment of a three-part series, will focus
on the issue of computer forensics. The first DVC on Internet
censorship and regulation took place March 15, 2007. A second DVC
on delineation of legal authority for cyber crime enforcement is
scheduled for April 24, 2007.
It should be noted that the State Department, through the
Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program, has provided training and
laboratory/forensic equipment to allow the Thai DSI (Dept of Special
Investigations) to set up and operate a cyber investigations
capability.
4. Purpose of Program:
a) To explain USG laws, regulations, problems, pitfalls, solutions,
and best practices governing the collection of cyber data by
federal, state, and local law enforcement officials from websites,
ISPs, OSPs, and telecom operators, for use in prosecution of cyber
crimes;
b) To be a resource to the Thai cyber crime bill drafting committee
and share opinions about current language in the draft bill
regarding computer forensics data compilation;
c) To encourage coverage of this issue by Thai media
5. Type of Speaker Requested: The speaker should have both legal and
technical computer expertise concerning procedures and methods of
cyber data collection by U.S. law enforcement authorities for use in
cyber crime prosecutions. Some knowledge of Thailand and recent
political developments would be useful but not required.
6. Anticipated Audience: Panelists will be members of the cyber
crime bill drafting committee; the Minister of Information and
Communications Technology, who chairs the drafting committee, will
be invited. About 15-20 people in all, including academicians and
select members of the local media, are expected to attend.
Simultaneous English-Thai translation will be provided.
7. Funding: All speaker costs will be covered by Post's program
funds.
8. Program Contact Information:
a) Program Officer:
Mr. William Flens
Public Diplomacy Officer
Tel: (66-2) 205-4849; Fax: (66-2) 650-8924
Mobile: (66-81) 174-9012
E-mail: Flensw@state.gov
b) Program Assistant
Bussabonglahwan Pattaro
Press Specialist
Tel: (66-2) 205-4418; Fax: (66-2) 650-8919
Mobile: (66-81) 833-1112
E-mail: Pattaro@state.gov
ARVIZU