NSC Sec-Gen: Thailand faces daily cyber threats

Thailand faces daily cyberattack attempts targeting government agencies, banks and critical infrastructure, with attackers increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify vulnerabilities, National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Gen Chaipruak Doungprapat said on Monday.

Speaking after an NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Gen Chaipruak said Thailand is currently able to maintain the security of its digital systems despite constant offensives.

“Cyberattacks are attempted every day and at every opportunity,” he said. “Our defence systems remain reliable, but we cannot afford to be complacent because attack methods continue to evolve.”

The NSC meeting was convened on Monday to review global security developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East and growing cybersecurity risks, after several European countries were hit by cyberattacks targeting digital systems.

The council instructed all relevant agencies to strengthen preventive measures and prepare contingency plans for any crisis that could affect Thailand.

Gen Chaipruak warned that cybercriminals increasingly use AI tools to scan networks, analyse vulnerabilities and identify potential entry points, making defence efforts more challenging for authorities.

He said the government had instructed all relevant agencies to raise cybersecurity measures to the highest level and prepare contingency plans for severe incidents or national cyber crises.

Thailand is also studying lessons learned from other countries to improve its cyber defence strategies and crisis management plans.

Under Thailand’s national preparedness and crisis-management framework, Gen Chaipruak said cybersecurity responses are divided into three levels.

Under normal conditions, the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) monitor threats and implement preventive measures. In a major cyber crisis, management responsibilities shift to the NSC.

Gen Chaipruak said the central bank had assured authorities that Thailand’s banking system remains secure and fully operational. Banks have been instructed to act immediately if they detect any abnormalities to prevent disruption to customers and safeguard depositors’ funds.

He also revealed plans to establish an NSC operations centre to monitor and assess security developments from normal situations through to crisis conditions, while coordinating responses with government agencies, private-sector organisations and relevant networks.

Meanwhile, the DES ministry will convene a workshop with key stakeholders to evaluate whether further improvements are needed in personnel, technology and cybersecurity systems to strengthen Thailand’s long-term defences against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Mr Anutin said the meeting also reviewed national crisis preparedness but did not formally consider a proposed “72-hour crisis response plan,” describing it as guidance prepared by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

He said that Thailand had already made the necessary preparations and that the public could continue their daily activities as normal.

On cybersecurity, he said relevant security agencies and the digital ministry had been directed to strengthen protection measures and develop response plans for serious incidents.

Representatives from the Bank of Thailand and the Stock Exchange of Thailand were invited to brief the meeting and receive policy directives from the NSC.