Malls re-opening applies mobile app to disease-control for thr first time after enforcement

Last updated on May 7th, 2021 at 07:17 am

As Shopping malls in Thailand reopened on Sunday shoppers were required to download a government mobile app to collect visitor records. The Thai Chana mobile app to their mobile phones for check-in and check-out at shops.

Customers would use their mobile phone to scan QR codes as they enter and leave shops and the premises. The government mobile app was created to allegedly collect and record shoppers movements, inside shops throughout the shopping malls. The Government mobile App also provides details such as opening hours and visitor limits among others.  Shop merchants in the Shopping mall are also required to register with the Thai Chana App. “The ‘Thai Chana’ application will tell customers if their targeted shop, such as a barber, is still vacant enough to welcome them,” Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said. “Shopping centres will use the application when they open their rest areas. In addition to their already opened supermarkets and electrical appliance sales.” Dr Taweesilp said the Thai Chana app would serve 70-80% of people based on the number of mobile phone users. Who account for 70-80% of Thailand’s population. “Young children and elderly people who do not use mobile phones will be able to use manual registration,” he said. The app would facilitate the government’s attempts to quickly track people infected with Covid-19. Also those in close contact with them. Its effectiveness would lead to the further reopening of businesses and activities, he said. He also said that customers’ privacy would be protected. Only the Disease Control Department would have access to customers’ information. Saying the customers data was only for the sake of disease control. “With this system, a call will go out only to the mobile phones of customers who visited the shop at the same time as the infected person. Some critics question the App and the governments use of peoples personal data.