The Thai government is intensifying its crackdown on cybercrime, with an administrative decree amendment draft aimed at combating cybercrime and protecting victims expected to be announced in February this year. According to Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert Jantararuangtong, this new measure will significantly enhance the efforts to combat online fraud and related financial losses.
Minister Prasert stated that the amendment draft is currently under review by the State Council, and once passed, it will provide relevant departments with more tools to fight cybercrime and take more proactive measures in protecting the victims.
A key aspect of the new law is that heads of banks, telecommunications operators, and social media platforms will be held accountable for losses incurred by victims if they are found negligent or engage in misconduct in cases of phone scams and other criminal activities. Additionally, telecommunications operators and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will also be required to suspend SIM cards suspected of being used by scammers.
To further strengthen the crackdown, the Anti-Money Laundering Act's Financial Transaction Assessment Committee will be authorized to return stolen funds to victims before a case is adjudicated. The penalties for personal information leakage crimes will also be increased, with offenders potentially facing up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 5 million Thai Baht.
In terms of tracking proxy accounts and "money laundering" accounts, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is investigating the ownership of SIM cards to uncover potential illegal transactions. The NBTC has started contacting individuals who hold a large number of SIM cards, especially those who make more than 100 calls per day, requiring them to provide a legitimate reason for use or face suspension of their SIM cards.
By the end of last December, the government had suspended over 1.6 million bank accounts related to scam activities in a severe crackdown on "money laundering accounts."
Minister Prasert urges the holders of these accounts to contact their banks and close the accounts promptly to avoid prosecution, as banks have become stricter in scrutinizing customers to prevent accounts from being used for illegal transactions. Those found guilty of assisting criminals in opening accounts will also face severe penalties.
These measures are undoubtedly a significant response to the increasingly severe issue of cybercrime, and the future laws will provide stronger protection for the victims.
