Ditladarporn Somjabok, a fourth-year student, and Natthaphon Phuthong, a fifth-year student, students from the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, have won first prize in the higher education legal quiz competition on personal data protection (PDPA Challenge 2024 by Krungthai x PDPC: Season 2), along with a scholarship of 100,000 Baht and a training course in the DPO curriculum accredited by the Office of the Civil Service Commission/TPQI.
Natthaphon explained that the competition is a legal quiz, distinct from a Moot Court competition since participants do not know the case beforehand. To prepare effectively, the team focused on a comprehensive understanding of all topics. Preparation is divided into two parts: principles for understanding and legal provisions for memorization. The team, led and instructed by Mr. Chawin Unphat, concentrated on the Personal Data Protection Act, the main topic for the competition. They also attended coaching lectures by PDPA experts and consulted their instructor whenever they had questions after reviewing literature or attending lectures.
Ditladarporn further explained that regarding the legal aspects that emphasize memorization, the scope used in the competition, in addition to the main Act, also includes over 20 subordinate laws, which is a significant number. Therefore, the team has collaborated to memorize by dividing the content. This content can be accessed through the website www.pdpc.or.th, where they collectively reviewed all subordinate legal materials, including announcements, guidelines, and all inquiries published by the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) on the website.
The study at the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, significantly enhances preparation and competition in the field of personal data protection law, particularly following the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in 2022. Unlike many universities that lack relevant courses, Thammasat University benefits from faculty members who are experts in this area and contributed to drafting the PDPA. Students at this institution gain insights from professors skilled in various legal disciplines beyond just personal data protection. Additionally, the PDPA Challenge 2024 is a competition addressing legal issues related to personal data protection, organized by Krung Thai Bank and the Personal Data Protection Committee, with participation from 38 law faculties nationwide.
