Communication or aggravation?

The Foundation for Consumers has criticised the ruling Democrat party for sending SMS texts to almost all the estimated 53 million mobile phone owners, asking them to help the new government restore the country.

Foundation secretary-general Saree Aongsomwang said messages sent to mobile phone users without their consent could be seen as an invasion of their privacy.

The messages apparently went to all subscribers to the big three mobile phone companies - AIS, DTAC and True Move - who claim a total subscriber base of 53 million.

Ms Saree said many consumers had complained about the messages. She said it would be disappointing if the government infringed on people's rights.

The National Telecommunication Commission says that mobile phone service providers may not exploit client information, including phone numbers, without their consent.

Earlier, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjavjia assigned deputy Democrat leader Korn Chatikavanij to seek cooperation from three mobile phone network operators, AIS, DTAC and True, to send SMS messages to people, asking them to help the prime minister solve the country's crisis.

Interested callers are asked to send back their postal codes, costing them three baht.

After a user sends the postal code, he or she receives a message saying, "I am Abhisit Vejjajiva. Thank you very much, and I will get back to you."

Democrat staff said Mr Abhisit wanted to assess responses from people who received the SMS messages.

The postal code reply would give the government a clearer idea about which parts of the country wanted to take part in the government's attempt to solve the crisis.

Later on Thursday, Mr Korn apologised to people who might find the message a nuisance.

The party did not force mobile phone users to pay the three-baht expense of replying, since callers could choose whether to respond or not.

Mr Korn said the party viewed SMS messages as an effective way to draw people and the prime minister closer together.