Thailand to probe eavesdropping in Singapore row

The Straits Times, January 25, 2007

BANGKOK - Thailand has announced the creation of a special panel to probe eavesdropping claims against a Singaporean telecom and vowed to pursue the case regardless of the diplomatic consequences.

In a spiralling diplomatic spat, military leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has voiced concern that Singapore could be listening in to confidential calls after Temasek Holdings purchased Thai telecom Shin Corp last year.

Singapore's government and Shin Corp's mobile phone company AIS have denied the allegations.

But Mr Sittichai Pookaiyaudoom, the Thai minister responsible for information and communication technology, said on Thursday that he was setting up an investigative committee to probe the case.

'I will today authorise the creation of a special committee chaired by the ICT ministry's permanent secretary to conduct an investigation into eavesdropping,' Mr Sittichai told reporters.

Look at possible security lapses
Mr Sittichai said the investigation would focus not only on Temasek and Shin Corp but would look broadly at possible security lapses in Thailand's telecommunication system.

Singapore has responded quickly to Gen Sonthi's allegations, but Mr Sittichai said he was not concerned by the potential diplomatic fallout.

'What the Singapore government said does not affect the ICT ministry,' he said. 'They say Singapore is a sovereign state. Thailand is also a sovereign state. That's not an issue.'

Mr Sittichai refused to rule out the possibility that the findings could result in the government rescinding concessions granted to Shin Corp.

'We have to carefully consider whether the terms of the concession allows state to confiscate the concession and on what ground.'

He said the panel would be made up of representatives of Thailand's local and international telephone operators as well as the National Telecommunication Commission. They will have 60 days to report their findings.

The Thai military, which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September, has reportedly reverted to using walkie-talkies after voicing concerns over the foreign ownership of Thai telecom firms.

Ties plunged
Ties between Thailand and Singapore have plunged since the military coup, and the army-installed government in Bangkok has opened several investigations into Temasek's controversial purchase of Shin Corp, founded by Mr Thaksin before he entered politics.

Relations have been further strained after an unofficial meeting between Mr Thaksin and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar during a recent visit by the deposed premier.

In an indication of the tensions, Singapore accused Thailand of questioning its integrity as a global telecoms hub.

The Republic's foreign ministry said it had responded publicly to General Sonthi's concerns because he 'implied that Singapore could compromise Thai security.' The implications 'went beyond the commercial realm,' its statement added.

'It is also entirely appropriate that the Singapore government elaborate on its regulatory principles to address concerns raised about its integrity as an international telecommunications hub.' In remarks to a forum in Thailand last week, General Sonthi alleged that Singapore could be spying on private conversations by the Thai military.

The military has also floated the idea of launching a new satellite for the exclusive use of military and intelligence agencies to address their concerns about possible spying.