BANGKOK, April 14, 2025 — Thailand’s new emergency decree targeting technology-driven scams took effect Sunday, holding financial institutions, telecom operators, and social media platforms accountable for curbing fraud. We covered this more extensively when it was in the final proposal stage here.
The Decree on Measures to Prevent and Suppress Technology Crime aims to protect citizens from the growing wave of online and phone-based scams, which caused over 42.6 billion baht ($1.2 billion USD) in losses last year.
Under the decree, banks must monitor and freeze suspicious accounts, telecoms are required to block fraudulent calls and texts, and social media platforms must remove scam content swiftly. Failure to comply could result in fines up to 500,000 baht or jail time for company executives.
The law also tightens regulations on digital asset platforms to prevent money laundering. “This decree ensures shared responsibility to safeguard our digital economy,” said Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. Authorities expect the measures to reduce the 400,000+ scam cases reported since October 2023, restoring public trust in Thailand’s financial and communication systems.
Photos: Stock photos of Thai police.
