Crackdown On Phone-based Chat Lines

NTC told to regulate phone-based chat lines

BANGKOK: -- A youth advocacy group Tuesday petitioned the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), asking it to regulate phone-based chat lines more strictly following a report that 12 girls who had used the service subsequently went missing.

The disappearances occurred in the past few months.

Worrachet Kheowjan, of The Mirror Foundation, called on the NTC to enjoin registration on all chatters before they were connected to the communal line and randomly to eavesdrop to prevent verbal molestation or inappropriate persuasion.

The use of erotic or inappropriate images on advertisements for the chat services, using 1900-xxx-xxx numbers operated by TOT Plc, should also be restricted, said Worrachet.

Any chat service providers found violating the regulations should be banned or fined heavily.

He said the foundation's missing-person centre has received reports from police and parents that all missing girls were regular users of the chat services and most of them were under 15.

--The Nation 2006-07-04