CHONBURI, Thailand – On Friday, May 16th, 2025, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s Resource Conservation and Development Center in Chonburi hosted an event aimed at raising awareness about personal data protection.
Mr. Narin Prathuanchai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, presided over the opening of the “PDPC Building Community Knowledge” meeting, organized under the public relations and awareness campaign for the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) of 2019. Ms. Jintana Jeerachiwan, Senior District Officer of Sri Racha, welcomed attendees, including local administrative officials, Region 2 police, local government representatives, zoo staff, and Sri Racha media.
Col. Suraphong Plengkham, Secretary-General of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC), spoke about the importance of proactive outreach through the “PDPC Building Community Knowledge” campaign. The program targets widespread public engagement, particularly in Chonburi, a province with a vast economy driven by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
In 2023, Chonburi’s Gross Provincial Product (GPP) reached approximately 1.06 trillion baht, with a per capita income of 598,448 baht—one of the highest in Thailand. Key economic drivers include industry, supported by domestic and foreign investments, as well as services and tourism.
As Chonburi’s economy grows alongside increased use of information technology, compliance with the PDPA, enforced by the PDPC, is critical. Businesses in the industrial and service sectors must securely manage customer and employee data to meet legal standards. Adhering to the PDPA not only stops legal risks but also builds trust among consumers and investors, fostering sustainable economic development.
The event focused on engaging communities directly by leveraging local leaders and influencers to disseminate knowledge about data protection. This proactive approach aims to reduce personal data breaches and empower citizens to safeguard their information effectively, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero data leaks. PDPC experts provided consultations, addressing causes of data breaches and answering questions from attendees.
Participants, including local officials, residents, and international tourists visiting Khao Kheow Open Zoo, received the “PDPC Know and Survive” toolkit. This resource, designed for practical daily use, simplifies guidelines for protecting personal data.
For more information, visit the PDPC website at www.pdpc.or.th or follow their Facebook page, PDPC Thailand.
The Pattaya News notes there is still a lot of confusion around the PDPA, including in the Thai media. For instance, the media is exempt from the PDPA in terms of news reports, videos, photos, and articles, a common question, but only if it serves the public interest, which would be at the discretion of a judge if a case went to court. This is also why the media is much more careful around blurring photographs for instance of people accused of a crime before any verdict.
