Thailand plans discussions with Apple on cybersecurity measures
Telecom operators are being urged to prepare for simultaneous emergencies across Thailand and will provide updates on their readiness this week.
- Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is scheduled to hold talks with Apple to discuss strengthening the country's cybersecurity measures.
- The discussions are a response to intensifying global cyber threats, including sophisticated "mercenary spyware" attacks that Apple has warned users about in 99 countries.
- Following the meeting, Thailand will coordinate with its national security agencies and private sector companies to develop a comprehensive, joint response to the threats.
- The government is placing a special focus on the security of its banking systems and is urging telecom operators to update their readiness for new forms of cyberattacks.
Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is strengthening measures to prevent and respond to cyber threats as attacks intensify and spread across several countries, with talks with Apple scheduled for Wednesday (November 11, 2026).
Chaichanok Chidchob, minister of digital economy and society, outlined the plans at Government House on Tuesday (November 10).
Following the Apple talks, he would coordinate with the National Security Council (NSC), the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) and private-sector hardware and software producers to gather information, assess the threats and develop a joint response, while strengthening the readiness of Thailand’s digital infrastructure and communications systems.
He described the situation as unprecedented in scale.
Input from technology developers, security agencies and other parties was needed to establish a comprehensive picture before drawing up a systematic response for Thailand.
He expected conclusions and a clear direction for the plan the following week.
Chaichanok stressed that cyber threats posed an ongoing risk to all sectors.
Apple had reported that more than 99 countries were affected, along with several people in politics and government.
The government was giving particular attention to banking system security.
The banking sector had worked with the NCSA and had so far been able to fend off the threats, but changing attack methods meant every organisation needed to keep improving its defences and avoid complacency.
On health data, particularly blood-related data, which was among the prime minister’s priorities, Chaichanok said an initial review of information about attacks overseas had found no indication that Thailand had been affected in this respect.
The situation remained under close observation.
Telecom operators urged to prepare for nationwide emergencies
Nan Boonthida Somchai, deputy minister of digital economy and society, said the NCSA held cyberattack data and statistics and was responsible for monitoring, investigating and blocking threats.
Over the preceding two to three weeks, the ministry had discussed the readiness of telecom operators and communications systems with the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and the NCSA, in preparation for cyber threats that could become more severe.
The NSC secretary-general had prepared response guidelines covering four levels.
Communications infrastructure needed the highest level of readiness, covering both localised incidents and simultaneous emergencies across the country.
Although telecom operators were already legally required to have systems for emergencies and disasters, their plans needed updating for new forms of threat.
She said telecom operators would provide updates on their individual readiness that week, as part of the ministry’s responsibility for overseeing the country’s communications networks.
However, overseeing networks did not mean every item of content or data could be inspected.
Transmissions could involve normal usage or carry hidden malware and spyware, making rigorous security checks by public and private system owners essential, particularly checks of firewalls and cybersecurity tools.
She emphasised that although the country’s systems could currently handle and block threats, agencies must maintain their vigilance and promptly report any system irregularities to the NCSA for joint checks and risk assessment.
Earlier, Apple had issued a new round of threat notifications to users in 99 countries after detecting that some individuals might have been targeted by “mercenary spyware”.
Apple described these attacks as far more sophisticated than ordinary cybercrime, typically requiring substantial resources to penetrate the devices of a small number of targeted individuals.
Development and operational costs could reach millions of dollars, while the tools had relatively short useful lives because attackers needed new methods once vulnerabilities were discovered and patched.
Apple stated that since 2021 it had sent threat notifications several times a year whenever it detected activity consistent with mercenary spyware attacks.
Users in more than 150 countries had received the alerts to date.
