CCTV Cameras

[Surasak]

Can anyone shed some light on the rules/laws of privacy regarding CCTV camera placing and coverage?

My next door neighbour has recently moved in and fitted cameras that look well over my property. To the point I cannot

sit in my lounge without being seen on his cameras. I cant leave the front door without being seen also.

I obviously don't want to go in and cause a problem without some facts.

So any suggestions, please?

[OneMoreFarang]

I don't remember where I read it, but I think the concept is about the purpose of his cameras.

If his cameras are installed to see what is going on within and near his property for protection than that is allowed.

If he would install a camera with a tele-lens focused only on your property or you, I am pretty sure that would be illegal.

[Surasak]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I don't remember where I read it, but I think the concept is about the purpose of his cameras.

If his cameras are installed to see what is going on within and near his property for protection than that is allowed.

If he would install a camera with a tele-lens focused only on your property or you, I am pretty sure that would be illegal.

Thanks for the reply. I don't think it was deliberately installed to scan my property, more the point the installers possibly didn't align  the camera correctly. I know it was mounted and the guy left with his ladder and didn't return. So possible not the owners fault. I can see this camera from the kitchen window and today, just after dark, my son left the house via the front door and the camera light came on. I will await further comments.

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, Surasak said:

Can anyone shed some light on the rules/laws of privacy regarding CCTV camera placing and coverage?

My next door neighbour has recently moved in and fitted cameras that look well over my property. To the point I cannot

sit in my lounge without being seen on his cameras. I cant leave the front door without being seen also.

I obviously don't want to go in and cause a problem without some facts.

So any suggestions, please?

Draw the curtains.  

[Surasak]

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Draw the curtains.  

What else would I expect!?

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, Surasak said:

I can see this camera from the kitchen window and today, just after dark, my son left the house via the front door and the camera light came on. I will await further comments.

When you refrain from looking at his property you will be in the position to ask him to not cover yours!

[OneMoreFarang]

7 minutes ago, Surasak said:

I can see this camera from the kitchen window and today, just after dark, my son left the house via the front door and the camera light came on.

Modern cameras have motion detection. If something moves, then maybe a light will go on.

On some cameras the user can set specifically in which area (i.e. house entrance) there has to be motion so that the light goes on. But obviously that is something which has to be setup. The default is likely that the light will go on when something moves anywhere in the picture.

 

A question is probably also the distance from his and your property. If you are right next to each other and a possible intruder would have to walk through your property to get into his property, then basically he has to have the camera(s) on your property.

 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

Just now, Surasak said:

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Draw the curtains.  

What else would I expect!?

You asked for the answer, you got it, that you don't like it is neither here nor there.

[Will B Good]

7 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Draw the curtains.  

 

And I thought I had just read the most stupid comment of the day.....nope.

[Surasak]

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You asked for the answer, you got it, that you don't like it is neither here nor there.

None sense was not was not requested, and not wanted.

[Surasak]

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You asked for the answer, you got it, that you don't like it is neither here nor there.

Now I know why so much crap drops of this pen!

[richard_smith237]

I think the reasonable approach would be to visit the neighbour and discuss with him.

 

There are two facets to this and its somewhat of a double edged sword.

- His cameras over looking your property is effectively adding a layer of security. 

- His cameras over looking your indoor private living area is an invasion of privacy. 

 

Anyone reasonable would adjust the positioning.

 

If the other owner is being unreasonable and will not entertain moving the camera's - then you have other steps that can be taken (such as removing the cameras etc when hes not in - the legality of some of this may be in questions, but ultimately if you wish to protect your privacy, you may have to respond accordingly.

 

One option I've read of in the past is shinning lasers into the camera - but when the course of action needs to take such a path, neighbourly spirit has been lost and it can turn into an exhausting battle. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Will B Good]

There is nothing worse for the constitution than warfare with a neighbour.

 

So I would go with a neighbourly approach and explain your concerns regarding privacy....it might me worth actually looking at the view the camera affords......it's surprising what it can't see.

 

If that fails it's open warfare.....spray paint is your best option or a glue you can spray onto the lens.

[jas007]

3 hours ago, Surasak said:

Can anyone shed some light on the rules/laws of privacy regarding CCTV camera placing and coverage?

My next door neighbour has recently moved in and fitted cameras that look well over my property. To the point I cannot

sit in my lounge without being seen on his cameras. I cant leave the front door without being seen also.

I obviously don't want to go in and cause a problem without some facts.

So any suggestions, please?

It's an important issue, especially here in Asia where video surveillance for public safety purposes seems to be gaining traction.  Publicly installed CCTV cameras are already in widespread use in China, for example.

 

In the US, there's some movement towards establishing public-private partnerships.   Some cities partner with companies like Ring or other security providers to expand surveillance networks. For instance, police departments may promote Ring devices or similar technologies to increase coverage in neighborhoods while maintaining access to footage via voluntary sharing.

 

It's probably just a matter of time before all CCTV cameras are connected to an AI network and everyone will live in a surveillance state, like it or not.  

[Surasak]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I think the reasonable approach would be to visit the neighbour and discuss with him.

 

There are two facets to this and its somewhat of a double edged sword.

- His cameras over looking your property is effectively adding a layer of security. 

- His cameras over looking your indoor private living area is an invasion of privacy. 

 

Anyone reasonable would adjust the positioning.

 

If the other owner is being unreasonable and will not entertain moving the camera's - then you have other steps that can be taken (such as removing the cameras etc when hes not in - the legality of some of this may be in questions, but ultimately if you wish to protect your privacy, you may have to respond accordingly.

 

One option I've read of in the past is shinning lasers into the camera - but when the course of action needs to take such a path, neighbourly spirit has been lost and it can turn into an exhausting battle. 

 

 

 

 

 

As you say Richard, visit and discuss. I was hopeful of a little ammunition to use as a last resort if met with a blank.  I will give it a go.

I believe that green lasers are the best, but a last resort, as I would be seen setting it up. Some you win some you lose.

Thanks fro your reply, most welcome.

[Will B Good]

 

 

We stayed in a house last week...BKK....a quiet area, not gated......and I noticed at each set of crossroads there were four cameras mounted high up.

 

I thought it was strange as there were no through roads and hardly any traffic. I assume they were put up by the 'authorities'....and they all to some extent looked into peoples properties.

[Surasak]

9 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

There is nothing worse for the constitution than warfare with a neighbour.

 

So I would go with a neighbourly approach and explain your concerns regarding privacy....it might me worth actually looking at the view the camera affords......it's surprising what it can't see.

 

If that fails it's open warfare.....spray paint is your best option or a glue you can spray onto the lens.

Thanks Will. Warfare is the last thing I want. However, as there is quite a distance (12 feet) it would require one hell of a spray can.😂

On the other hand, maybe a mirror could work. Especially as the sun could work to my advantage.

[Will B Good]

Just now, Surasak said:

Thanks Will. Warfare is the last thing I want. However, as there is quite a distance (12 feet) it would require one hell of a spray can.😂

On the other hand, maybe a mirror could work. Especially as the sun could work to my advantage.

 

Yes.....there's that mirror stuff you could put on your windows.....if it looks okay/good like on the office block windows.....provides privacy and maybe a little cooler???

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Surasak said:

As you say Richard, visit and discuss. I was hopeful of a little ammunition to use as a last resort if met with a blank.  I will give it a go.

I believe that green lasers are the best, but a last resort, as I would be seen setting it up. Some you win some you lose.

Thanks fro your reply, most welcome.

 

Ultimately, if things turn south sabotage is the final answer...   Or even a 'paintball gun' to shoot the camera !!

 

Perhaps even a tazer - hop over the fence and fry the camera !... 

 

All worse case scenarios - a reasonable chat should resolve most issues. And if the owner is unaccommodating, then he has forced you into a course of action you would have preferred not to take....  (physically removing or interfering with camera)

 

 

[CharlieH]

Personal attack has been removed; please keep it civil.

 

[Mutt Daeng]

9 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

Yes.....there's that mirror stuff you could put on your windows.....if it looks okay/good like on the office block windows.....provides privacy and maybe a little cooler???

Good idea IMHO. I was about to suggest it to the OP until I saw your post already had.

[KhunLA]

13 hours ago, Surasak said:

 and today, just after dark, my son left the house via the front door and the camera light came on. I will await further comments.

Damn good camera, unless y'all live very close.  If that fancy a camera, you could simply ask him to dial back the range of motion detector.

 

Although myself, I'd thank him for making the area a bit safer, and appreciate the need not to install CCTV in the front of the my house, as he's got it covered.

 

Assuming you don't have a privacy wall around the property, which case, the camera isn't really providing much of a view, invasion of your privacy, that they can't see already, without the camera.

 

As suggested, just draw the curtain before getting your freak on in the front room, or not, if you're into exhibitionism 

[recom273]

I posted a similar question when we were building - our troublesome neighbor pointed a camera at our site, for some reason - I just built a garage infront of his camera. I never really got any real answers then.

 

You should check out the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (the “PDPA”) - it seems even the police say "the installation of CCTV will not require a warning sign if it is intended to prevent crime and boost security" - so I think you might be out of luck.

 

If it were me, I would speak to my local tessaban, who would send out an official who would give me the official line and maybe speak to the neighbor, perhaps he doesn't realize. If the official says there is nothing that could be done, you might be quite within your right to put up a camera on your land looking into his window or over his property (even a dummy camera) but it seems a bit antagonistic, how about a solar floodlight pointing level with his camera. Perhaps he just doesnt realize what he's doing.

 

You can just put up a wall, some trees or even a sheet of plywood on the wall, blocking the cameras field of view.

 

You could use a laser, but in practice, it's quite difficult to keep it trained upon a camera sensor. Thais dont seem to be too clued up on CCTV, they often just use mains powered wifi cameras, in which case it would be easy to use a deauth attack to continually take the camera offline. If you search YouTube, it won't be long before you come up with a cheap method to solve your problem.

[Tropicalevo]

Take a couple of beers round and have a friendly, 'fireside' chat. Preferably outside. (Neutral territory.)

Thank the neighbour for increasing security in the area and offer to do the same.

Then add 'just one small thing..... the camera is not looking at the best position' and suggest a slight change.

[OneMoreFarang]

In general about cameras.

I live in a condominium, and I have a doorbell camera with high resolution.

I installed it instead of a hole/lens in my door. I can also answer it with my mobile phone from anywhere.

 

On the camera I can see what is in front of my door - as intended.

I also see what is happening in the hallway including two doors of my direct neighbors.

The camera/doorbell is easy to see, and I informed my neighbors, and they don't have a problem with the camera.

But if they would have a problem, what could I do? With one neighbor I could restrict the view of the camera, which would also restrict what I would see if a person walks to my entrance. With another neighbor, door right next to my door, there is basically nothing I can do.

 

Sometimes my camera informed me about movement, and I saw one of my neighbors going in or out of their unit. So what?

I am certainly not looking all the time what is happening in the hallway. I am pretty sure it would be boring.

 

My point is, think about what your actual concern is. The neighbor can see you and your property and people going in an out. Is that really a problem for you? I understand that nobody wants to be under surveillance. But do you really think your neighbor wants to track all the details of what is happening with your home and all your movements. It's possible, but I guess unlikely.

So maybe just relax and don't take it too serious.

And maybe it protects your property a little because burglars will notice the cameras and probably avoid them.

[Liverpool Lou]

15 hours ago, Surasak said:

15 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You asked for the answer, you got it, that you don't like it is neither here nor there.

None sense was not was not requested, and not wanted.

To prevent a neighbour being able to see into your home, drawing a curtain seems to me to be a perfectly rational answer.   Maybe you, or someone else, can explain why, if the neighbour is doing nothing wrong, it is such a bad idea?  

[AustinRacing]

17 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

And I thought I had just read the most stupid comment of the day.....nope.

Don’t worry about this guy. Often irrelevant replies to the topic and rather trying to mock. Sad man😂

[ColeBOzbourne]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

To prevent a neighbour being able to see into your home, drawing a curtain seems to me to be a perfectly rational answer.   Maybe you, or someone else, can explain why, if the neighbour is doing nothing wrong, it is such a bad idea?  

Because drawing your curtains cuts off your view of the outside world. It also cuts out the natural light, which many enjoy. It makes the room appear smaller. For some, like me, it can feel claustrophobic inside with the curtains drawn. I enjoy the view, it's one reason I chose to live here, so blocking off the outside world would be very low on my list of solutions.

[Surasak]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

To prevent a neighbour being able to see into your home, drawing a curtain seems to me to be a perfectly rational answer.   Maybe you, or someone else, can explain why, if the neighbour is doing nothing wrong, it is such a bad idea?  

You obviously don't see the problem with me blocking my access to natural light!

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

In general about cameras.

I live in a condominium, and I have a doorbell camera with high resolution.

I installed it instead of a hole/lens in my door. I can also answer it with my mobile phone from anywhere.

 

On the camera I can see what is in front of my door - as intended.

I also see what is happening in the hallway including two doors of my direct neighbors.

The camera/doorbell is easy to see, and I informed my neighbors, and they don't have a problem with the camera.

But if they would have a problem, what could I do? With one neighbor I could restrict the view of the camera, which would also restrict what I would see if a person walks to my entrance. With another neighbor, door right next to my door, there is basically nothing I can do.

 

Sometimes my camera informed me about movement, and I saw one of my neighbors going in or out of their unit. So what?

I am certainly not looking all the time what is happening in the hallway. I am pretty sure it would be boring.

 

My point is, think about what your actual concern is. The neighbor can see you and your property and people going in an out. Is that really a problem for you? I understand that nobody wants to be under surveillance. But do you really think your neighbor wants to track all the details of what is happening with your home and all your movements. It's possible, but I guess unlikely.

So maybe just relax and don't take it too serious.

And maybe it protects your property a little because burglars will notice the cameras and probably avoid them.

 

Valid points - There's no harm in your security Camera capturing imagery from the communal areas - but this (the Op) is different as private areas are captured... the outside of the house not so much a concern, but inside seems more more an invasion of privacy.