Phuket opens PDPA centre to bring data protection help closer to residents
The PDPC has opened a public service centre in Phuket, offering advice on personal data rights, complaints and privacy risk prevention.
The Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has officially opened a PDPA Center in Phuket, one of two new provincial centres intended to make personal data protection services more accessible to residents. The other centre is in Ubon Ratchathani.
The centres provide consultations, advice on exercising rights under Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act and assistance with preparing complaints, according to Pol Col Siripol Kusonsilwut, the PDPC deputy secretary-general for legal affairs and cases.
Siripol said that although complaints and other matters can be submitted online, many people still want to speak directly with officials, particularly when cases involve detailed information, documents or evidence.
People can seek advice about personal data being collected, used or disclosed without consent; unwanted telephone calls, messages or advertising; the publication of images and personal information on social media; and concerns about the security of customer, service-user or organisational data.
The centres will also run educational activities for local agencies and residents, including lectures on the PDPA, case studies involving personal data breaches, risk-prevention guidance and workshops on applying data protection principles in real situations.
The PDPC said it would continue building cooperation with government agencies, the private sector, civil society and local organisations. Siripol said the centres were intended to serve not only as complaint points but also as places where people could receive advice and address potential problems before damage occurs.
