9 hackers arrested for attacking government websites

Thai authorities have arrested nine people for allegedly launching cyber-attacks against Thai government websites during the past week. The attacks were in response to amendments to the controversial Computer Crimes Act.   
 
On 26 December 2016, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, Police Commissioner-General of Thailand, revealed that the police and the military have arrested nine suspects in the recent cases of cyber attacks against government websites.
 
Chakthip appeared in front of media with one of the suspects, a 19-year-old male. The suspect, however, did not give any comments, reported BBC Thai. 
 
Chakthip said that he will interrogate the suspect himself, adding that there is the most incriminating evidence against him among the nine. Police have impounded computers, guns and bricks of marijuana belonging to the suspect. The other suspects are currently detained by the military.   
  
After the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) approved amendments to the controversial Computer Crimes Act on 16 December, various government websites were shut down by cyber-attacks.
 
The attacked websites include those belonging to the Police Region 1 Training Centre, the Thai Government, the Royal Gazette, the Ministry of Defense and the Royal Thai Navy. 28 websites were shut down in total. They later returned to service.
 
Despite the recent arrests, Thailand Internet Firewall, one of the groups that claimed responsibility for the attacks, has continued to declare cyber warfare against the junta on its Facebook page. The group has promised to reveal corruption cases in relation with the family of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta head, by 26 December. 
 
 
Chakthip (left) and the suspect (middle) at the press conference (Photo from BBC Thai)

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