Apple Warns Abhisit of Pegasus Spyware Targeting Risk
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Apple warned him his iPhone was targeted by Pegas
At 2:30 p.m. on November 2, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Democrat Party list MP and party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva addressed receiving a warning from Apple that his phone had been targeted by mercenary spyware. The alert, triggered because he uses an iPhone, indicated an attempted attack by spyware from the Pegasus family, which is predominantly employed by government agencies. The message also stated the targeting was likely due to his profession or work.
Abhisit said initial inspections found no traces of a successful intrusion, though a deeper forensic examination would take more time and has not yet been conducted. "This is the first time I've been targeted, and I understand Pegasus cases were common three to four years ago, so I consulted people who had been targeted before and ran some tests," he said.
Asked whether he was concerned given that Pegasus is sold only to governments, Abhisit replied he did not know, and since preliminary checks found nothing, he could not yet draw conclusions. He initially switched his phone to lockdown mode but returned to normal use after basic tests showed nothing, though he acknowledged the need for greater vigilance.
When questioned about a possible link to the ongoing no-confidence debate, Abhisit said "that's up to others to decide," noting that people immediately asked why it happened now. Asked whether his close ties to former Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha — who raised the case of Move Forward MP Suchada Sangthong's husband, a Bhumjaithai MP from Chaiyaphum, allegedly linked to scammers — might be connected, Abhisit quipped, "Ask if I'm in hot water because of him? Don't really know. If there's time I'll check further, but everything requires caution. I'm not worried because my communications are already open."
On whether he wanted state agencies to investigate, Abhisit said it was fine but stressed the state has a duty to protect security in all dimensions, including cybersecurity. "Most importantly, I hope the state does not engage in actions that violate the law and infringe on personal rights," he said.
Asked if he would warn party colleagues, Abhisit said he believed everyone in the opposition already knows they can be targets.
