Hack the Planet: Borders, walls melt away at Bangkok forum for technology

Hackers may get a bad rap due to those who wield their skills destructively, but they are also unsung heroes who puzzle over how to solve problems and improve efficiency. Every society depends upon them to push the edges of innovation and technology and insure the systems housing our information are secure.

Though for a long time hackers were considered to be computer-centric in nature, the common perception has evolved to include individuals whose skills span many areas. Most hackers fill diverse roles and employ a wide variety of skills, from physical and computer security and hardware modifications to improving everyday household items.

Citizens throughout Thailand demonstrated the finest examples of the hacking ethos two years ago, when they devised absurdly creative solutions to continue life through the flooding crisis.

To further explore hacker culture here in Thailand, I decided to check out a meeting of Thailand’s local chapter of 2600. After interacting on their Facebook page for a while, I’d begun to appreciate to depth of talent and curiosity that is represented in the group, and the first meeting of their international section last month seemed a good time to drop in and meet people in the scene.

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2600 started out in 1984 as an underground zine in the United States dedicated to discussion of technical information about telephone systems, Internet protocols, the computer underground and reverse-engineering systems as discovered by hacker contributors. Since then, 2600 has established a global network called Hackers on Planet Earth, or H.O.P.E., which meets around the world to discuss technology issues which are open to anyone regardless of their age or skill.

I came early to the meeting at the Barley Bistro & Bar on Silom Road to meet Karin Sumongkayothin, the organizer and founding member of Thailand 2600.

During my conversation with Karin, he explained that he started 2600 to foster communication and comradery among the local hacker and computer security community, one that turned out to be rather deep with talent. And not just local talent, but a pool of individuals from around the globe.

At this meeting, the majority of people who showed up were in fact Thai, but I was not the only foreigner there. There was Thandar, a data-mining graduate student from Myanmar; Claus, an IT entrepreneur from Germany; and Greg, a computer security expert and DEFCON speaker from the United States; all of whom live and work in Thailand.

The meeting itself was informal. Multiple discussions about security and technology surfaced throughout the night. Topics ranged from recent hacks of international websites to security flaws that have been found on some Thai government sites. Another hot topic of the night were hardware hacks and some of the new devices hitting the market, and of course the explosion of iPad Air in Australia became a hot topic, if only for a few moments.

Another hot topic of the night, which diverted from a direct security or hack theme but was relevant to almost everyone, was the start-up ecosystem here in Thailand. It seemed that most of the participants shared an opinion that Thailand is on the verge of breakout tech growth but lacked any foundation to help foster new companies in the way the United States and other countries have. There were a few ideas thrown around, but then, as is the nature of such meetings, the next topic injected itself and the conversation shifted.

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Ultimately the 2600 meeting in Bangkok was a great time and a wonderful opportunity to network with other professionals in the tech field and to gain some insight into hacker culture here in Thailand. You can find out more information about 2600 Thailand from their Facebook page or their website.

2600 Thailand’s next meeting starts at 6:30pm on Dec. 13 at Sripatum University in the Chatuchak district.



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