Thai police seek to monitor chat app for crimes

In this photo taken Monday, July 15, 2013, Songkran Artchariyasarp, a lawyer and Buddhist activist, shows a picture of a Buddha statue that is part of an alleged embezzlement by former Buddhist monk Wirapol Sukphol in Bangkok, Thailand. Now Wirapol is at the center of the biggest religious scandal the predominantly Buddhist country has seen in years. Critics say the case is an extreme example of a wider crisis in Thai Buddhism. The arrest warrant implicates Wirapol on three charges including statutory rape, embezzlement and online fraud to seek donations. He is also under investigation for money laundering, drug trafficking and manslaughter for a hit-and-run accident. Authorities are struggling to figure out how he amassed so much money. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

August 13, 2013
BANGKOK (AP) — Thai police have asked the operator of the "Line" instant messaging app for access to records of online chats.

Technology Crime Suppression commander Pisit Paoin says Tuesday that police want to review the data of users they suspect are involved in crimes including posting statements against the Thai monarchy, arms trading, prostitution and drug dealing.

Thailand has draconian lese majeste laws and tries to scrub the Internet of statements critical of the king and his family.

Pisit says his unit approached app operator Naver in South Korea, and in Japan where its servers are based, and is hopeful of cooperation.

Line has more than 10 million users in Thailand.

Last week, police questioned four people for posting coup rumors on Facebook and threatened to charge anyone who "liked" the postings.