The top three mobile phone operators in Thailand, AIS Dtac and True Move, are together introducing a system that will allow their customers to block unwanted SMS messages, including spam, the Bangkok Post reported last week.

The "smart pool mobile number" system is planned to be unveiled by the beginning of 2009.

To enroll in the system, a customer would need to call his operator's call centre and request that unsolicited text messages be blocked, no matter where they are coming from. Customers currently only have the power to block messages sent through their own networks, according to the Bangkok Post article, posted by AsiaMedia.

The mobile operators have created the system in response to criticism from mobile owners that their privacy was invaded when the Democrat party sent SMS messages to people asking for the support of new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, without their consent, the Bangkok Post reported.