Bangkok: The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) has directed the National Telecommunications Commission (NT) to monitor submarine cables in the Middle East. This action is aimed at ensuring that Thai citizens and businesses remain unaffected by any disruptions in international communication networks.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, announced that due to concerns from various parties about the situation in the Middle East, he has instructed his ministry's agencies to prepare and coordinate with relevant entities to assess the situation. They have been tasked with preparing contingency plans for potential emergencies. The National Telecommunications Public Company Limited (NT), the primary telecommunications provider in Thailand, is particularly involved in these efforts.
NT has already fortified its international internet network and Internet Gateway connections across several regions, including Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, and Europe. These connections, facilitated through both transit and peering formats, extend from Thailand via land and sea using six submarine cable systems in which NT has invested. Backup systems are in place to ensure efficient operation and to mitigate risks from potential disruptions. If a submarine cable in the Middle East fails, traffic can be rerouted to other connection points to maintain service continuity. The public can be assured of stable internet access in Thailand, with continuous monitoring conducted around the clock.
Mr. Chaiyanok further stated that NT has prepared a risk assessment report on the potential impact of any disruption in the Middle East submarine cable system. This report includes contingency plans for business continuity management, assessing the severity of various scenarios, and implementing integrated measures to ensure the security of Thailand's telecommunications system. These efforts aim to enhance network preparedness and minimize any impact on the public and businesses.