I don't do any relevant/personal data/critical internet activities on an open WiFi.

I do not even use it for encrypted traffic ("https") except for an urgency.

If I am not a home would prefer to do via mobile network.

If I would do internet business:

I would take measures to encrypt all traffic to the best of knowledge (no details needed I would say?).

I would do it only on a private internet connection that is fully under my control.

I would sh.. my pants offering WiFi to anonymous customers at all.

So I am not qualified as a business operator

I would be too afraid that some psycho does LM or regime critical stuff from "my" WiFi.

This could lead to a nice SWAT team visit at my place.

And the justice system in this country does not care about plausible excuses and has little burden of proof.

("it was not me", "I can't write in Thai", "I am an an-alphabet")

In total: plain stupid to do a "grey zone" activity on some "bar WiFi".

Sit outside, or somewhere near the bar, they won't know you are using their wifi.

Problem solved.

Park your pickup in the bar's free car park, mattress in the back.

Buy your drinks and food in the 7-11.

Free seating and wifi ....... perfect.

I don't do any relevant/personal data/critical internet activities on an open WiFi.

I do not even use it for encrypted traffic ("https") except for an urgency.

If I am not a home would prefer to do via mobile network.

If I would do internet business:

I would take measures to encrypt all traffic to the best of knowledge (no details needed I would say?).

I would do it only on a private internet connection that is fully under my control.

I would sh.. my pants offering WiFi to anonymous customers at all.

So I am not qualified as a business operator

I would be too afraid that some psycho does LM or regime critical stuff from "my" WiFi.

This could lead to a nice SWAT team visit at my place.

And the justice system in this country does not care about plausible excuses and has little burden of proof.

("it was not me", "I can't write in Thai", "I am an an-alphabet")

In total: plain stupid to do a "grey zone" activity on some "bar WiFi".

Have you ever had encrypted data channels compromised ? I have used public WIFI in and around SE Asia for years and never had one iota of problems...you are much more likely to lose info peeing while your GF is rifling thru your wallet. That average coffee shop hackers can crack the typical encryption that banks and financial institutions use is myth.

How come no one ever asks a question about themselves..... like, I'm worried that I might be breaking the law or something similar.

Why does everyone have a friend who has the problem or issue ?

Seems all strange to me.

Anyway, carry on.

How come no one ever asks a question about themselves..... like, I'm worried that I might be breaking the law or something similar.

Why does everyone have a friend who has the problem or issue ?

Seems all strange to me.

Anyway, carry on.

Because anyone who has me as a friend does have a problem.

I seem to recall that a while back the government was insisting that (under the Computer Crimes Act) internet cafe owners should keep accurate records of customers using their IP adress. Possibly to do with "national security" or detecting Lese Majeste offenders.

Is it possible that the bar owner is concerned that he may fall foul of this legislation?

I hear a lot of incredulous comments doubting the truth about his work not being related to Thailand, but I assure you , it is NOT related to Thailand.

I can't give any details because he wants to remain anonymous.

But let's say it would be analogous to running a contruction business in North America, delegating tasks to staff, doing business paper work, taxes, renting equipment, calling customers and vendors ect...

NOTHING to do with Thailand.

If he`s in Thailand and working on his computer, then he falls under the laws of Thailand.

Who are you trying to kid, us or yourself?

The friend is probably from Nigeria, a prince or somebody with a large inheritance somewhere and needs help transferring the funds.

Good one.

There could be a lot of truth in that one. Well not really. Any one who can't afford an internet hookup can't be doing that good.

Another free wifi scratcher engaging in pikery.

...

NOTHING to do with Thailand.

When somebody is in Thailand, everything he does has to do with Thailand.

I seem to recall that a while back the government was insisting that (under the Computer Crimes Act) internet cafe owners should keep accurate records of customers using their IP adress. Possibly to do with "national security" or detecting Lese Majeste offenders.

Is it possible that the bar owner is concerned that he may fall foul of this legislation?

You recall correctly.

Computer Crimes Act, English translation:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B34mNX-szfYVVEdjRWlHRFd4RTA/view?usp=docslist_api

NOTHING to do with Thailand.

WRONG! He is in Thailand and needs a workpermit. Otherwise he is allowd to go to the beach and feel fine.

If you think someone needs a work permit to type a laptop then you are <deleted> CRAZY.

I seem to recall that a while back the government was insisting that (under the Computer Crimes Act) internet cafe owners should keep accurate records of customers using their IP adress. Possibly to do with "national security" or detecting Lese Majeste offenders.

Is it possible that the bar owner is concerned that he may fall foul of this legislation?

You recall correctly.

If that's the case, then spoof your MAC address and post from a VPN in Botswana.

Anything to circumvent this cowardly, evil legislation passed by bug eating dimwits.

Why would a man chose to do internet business well sitting in a bar or restaurant. To many distractions. I think it would be a lot smarter to do at home where it is private and no one to bother you or distractions.

I think some guys get off on being seen working on their computer in public.Makes them the modern man.I see them more as insecure little men who need recognition,and acceptance as being cool.

Tell your friend to do his business in private and after go to bars and enjoy the bar. Problem solved.

NOTHING to do with Thailand.

WRONG! He is in Thailand and needs a workpermit. Otherwise he is allowd to go to the beach and feel fine.

If you think someone needs a work permit to type a laptop then you are <deleted> CRAZY.

Why don't YOU tell the government that you are operating an internet business from Thailand and then come back and tell us all what happened?

If Bar owners are telling him this, they are most likely sick of him sitting there for hours on end using their Wifi and only ordering one coffee.

I know it pisses me off when I go somewhere for a coffee and there are no seats available as they are filled with just this sort of person.

Why would a man chose to do internet business well sitting in a bar or restaurant. To many distractions. I think it would be a lot smarter to do at home where it is private and no one to bother you or distractions.

I think some guys get off on being seen working on their computer in public.Makes them the modern man.I see them more as insecure little men who need recognition,and acceptance as being cool.

Tell your friend to do his business in private and after go to bars and enjoy the bar. Problem solved.

Many plonkers sitting in a bar with a beer and a laptop fancy themselves a "digital nomad".

I don't do any relevant/personal data/critical internet activities on an open WiFi.

I do not even use it for encrypted traffic ("https") except for an urgency.

If I am not a home would prefer to do via mobile network.

If I would do internet business:

I would take measures to encrypt all traffic to the best of knowledge (no details needed I would say?).

I would do it only on a private internet connection that is fully under my control.

I would sh.. my pants offering WiFi to anonymous customers at all.

So I am not qualified as a business operator

I would be too afraid that some psycho does LM or regime critical stuff from "my" WiFi.

This could lead to a nice SWAT team visit at my place.

And the justice system in this country does not care about plausible excuses and has little burden of proof.

("it was not me", "I can't write in Thai", "I am an an-alphabet")

In total: plain stupid to do a "grey zone" activity on some "bar WiFi".

Have you ever had encrypted data channels compromised ? I have used public WIFI in and around SE Asia for years and never had one iota of problems...you are much more likely to lose info peeing while your GF is rifling thru your wallet. That average coffee shop hackers can crack the typical encryption that banks and financial institutions use is myth.

obvious you dont work in the IT industry nor heed the word of advice from IT professionals as your assumptions are completely incorrect

I have had unauthorized charges a couple times. Dont know where they came from but, I am a stickler for ensuring that the sites I use for credit card transactions are https and will not use a standard http site.

a buddy of mine used airport wifi at Manila airport to access his "encrypted" bank in the states. His account was hacked and lost a lot of money. Lucky for him it was insured and he got it all back but it wasn't overnight.

Fella, the stories are real

I hear a lot of incredulous comments doubting the truth about his work not being related to Thailand, but I assure you , it is NOT related to Thailand.

I can't give any details because he wants to remain anonymous.

But let's say it would be analogous to running a contruction business in North America, delegating tasks to staff, doing business paper work, taxes, renting equipment, calling customers and vendors ect...

NOTHING to do with Thailand.

it has because he lives in thailand while doing it

I would say that this has to do with the Computer Crimes Act,, which is an abomination of a law passed by the previous military dictatorship. Under the law, the registered owner of the IP adress from which a range of offences under the act are committed, may also be liable.

Section 15. Any service provider intentionally supporting or consenting to an offence under Section 14 within a computer system under their control shall be subject to the same penalty as that imposed upon a person committing an offence under Section 14.

For example if a customer was doing porn or stuff that insults the powers that be in a bar and the owner is seen to tolerate it... that could make him liable.

"I'm asking because I have a friend that is overly paranoid, he sells stuff on ecommerce sites from West to West, nothing to do about Thailand. He also has a business in the USA that he controls from over here, again, nothing to do with Thailand."

Actually, it has everything to do with Thailand, because that is where your "friend" is when he works.

So, as he is, (according to the letter of the law), working illegally, I would think that the RTP do have the powers to seize his laptop and any other evidence.

According to this line of reasoning, this would mean that anyone who transacted business online in Thailand would be accused and presumably found guilty of working illegally. This would mean that anyone who checked their work email, took a client phone call or did something work-related while on holiday would be in the same category.

No country I have ever heard of operates such a policy. So lets not get paranoid.

If he's so successful why doesn't he pay for his own internet access?

The Army can do anything. Thailand is under Military rule.

All they have to do is invoke article 44 and they can laugh at you when asking if they have a warrant.

If you are doing eCommerce anywhere to anywhere and you are doing it in Thailand then Thailand feels they have a right to require you to have a work permit, as irrational as that sounds.

I hear a lot of incredulous comments doubting the truth about his work not being related to Thailand, but I assure you , it is NOT related to Thailand.

I can't give any details because he wants to remain anonymous.

But let's say it would be analogous to running a contruction business in North America, delegating tasks to staff, doing business paper work, taxes, renting equipment, calling customers and vendors ect...

NOTHING to do with Thailand.

While working "nothing to do with Thailand" his IP address is in Thailand

So if someone is on vacation in Thailand and gets a work related email, he (or she) needs (technically) to get a work permit before replying............. I understand the OP was talking about "running" a business but how would anyone every determine the line between occasional involvement and being in control???

Why would a man chose to do internet business well sitting in a bar or restaurant. To many distractions. I think it would be a lot smarter to do at home where it is private and no one to bother you or distractions.

I think some guys get off on being seen working on their computer in public.Makes them the modern man.I see them more as insecure little men who need recognition,and acceptance as being cool.

Tell your friend to do his business in private and after go to bars and enjoy the bar. Problem solved.

Many plonkers sitting in a bar with a beer and a laptop fancy themselves a "digital nomad".

Exactly fancy themselves :digital nomads" If digital nomad means you need to be available 24/7 online every where you go who would want the work? A slave to the keyboard. Same level as a drug dealer on a street corner,out in public view. I feel a smart person doing internet work can do it and have freedom from it also.Only guys who need the assurance they are in the circle do it in public. Every time I see these guys I feel sorry for them. Its like a badge saying the user is in the digital world.I know many people who are quite wealthy from internet work but never see them pounding the keys in public.

so what is this for anyway?

Im not sure how it is now but previously at the airport they would request your passport details before they gave you access to the internet.

Perhaps he is concerned the individual may become involved in discussions on certain topics that are not allowed in Thailand and this somehow gets tracked back to his account.

"I'm asking because I have a friend that is overly paranoid, he sells stuff on ecommerce sites from West to West, nothing to do about Thailand. He also has a business in the USA that he controls from over here, again, nothing to do with Thailand."

Actually, it has everything to do with Thailand, because that is where your "friend" is when he works.

So, as he is, (according to the letter of the law), working illegally, I would think that the RTP do have the powers to seize his laptop and any other evidence.

he work in Thailand without ! work permit "

that is illigal !!

Police can act !!