On Thursday, 18 December 2025, the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) organized the event entitled “Kick-Off: Empowering Public Sector DPOs Nationwide to Cut Off Scammer Threats and Protect Society,” with the objective of strengthening the capacity of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) across public sector agencies nationwide. The event aimed to ensure that DPOs operate under a unified and robust standard, while also elevating their role in preventing and mitigating scam-related threats, which currently pose a significant challenge to Thai society.
The opening ceremony was presided over by General Decha Pholsuwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, both onsite and online, enabling public sector agencies from all regions of the country to participate and effectively apply the knowledge gained in a comprehensive manner.
The program featured the presentation of the “DPO Communication Star” Award, which recognizes organizations that consistently promote learning and awareness of personal data protection through e-Learning platforms. This award highlights the importance of effective communication and internal awareness-building within organizations. A total of five agencies received the award, namely Lopburi Province, Phichit Province, Phang Nga Province, Nan Province, and the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization.
In addition, the event included a live demonstration on applying for the Certification Mark, along with a briefing on the use of the GPPC tools. These activities were designed to enable public sector DPOs to practically apply the knowledge gained, covering preparation processes, documentation systems, operational procedures, and the review of best practices to ensure consistency and alignment. This approach supports systematic, efficient DPO operations and facilitates progress tracking and internal communication within organizations.
Another key highlight of the event was a panel discussion entitled “The Role and Importance of DPOs in Preventing and Addressing Scammer Threats,” which effectively linked personal data protection responsibilities with concrete measures to combat online threats. The discussion addressed issues ranging from minimizing the risk of data breaches to enhancing preventive measures and response mechanisms in the event of anomalies, reinforcing the critical role of DPOs as key institutional mechanisms within public sector organizations.
On this occasion, Assistant Professor Jintana Unhawaitaya, Head of the Division of Legal Affairs, Walailak University, attended the event as a representative of the University. She participated in the policy briefing and operational discussions, with the aim of applying the knowledge gained to further enhance the University’s personal data protection systems and mechanisms in alignment with public sector standards.
The successful organization of this event reflects the strong commitment of the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee to strengthening the public sector DPO network, promoting systematic and collaborative operations, and safeguarding citizens’ personal data—contributing to the advancement of a secure, trustworthy, and sustainable digital society.
Image courtesy of the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC).
