Online scammers, fake news and financial crime are of great concern in Thailand. Taking cognisance of the situation, the government has launched an application to offer citizens better protection. The Ministry of Digital joined forces with state-owned Krung Thai Bank to create “Pao Tang” – a warning channel for online scams and dis-/mis-information.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) Wisit Wisitsora-at and Payong Sriwanich, President Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited signed a Memorandum Cooperation Agreement to generate awareness and to alert people of online fraud through the “Pao Tang” application.
“The wallet app will be another channel that helps disseminate factual information, which government agencies have verified. (The apps will give) alerts against online scams and related fake news with financial fraud or financial crime. So, users can keep up with the current situation and able to cope with deception new complexity which has caused severe damage now,” said Wisit.
Krungthai Bank manages the “Pao Tang” app, which has over 40 million users. The app was created to combat the problem by raising awareness about ongoing online scams and fake news. As a result, people are in a better position to save themselves from becoming victims as while reducing losses overall.
The system will connect information from the Ministry of Digital Affairs’ Anti-Fake News Center (AFNC) databases to service providers. In addition, the wallet app disseminates warnings about financial fraud and incorrect information in various forms.
The collaboration is in line with the Thai government’s national strategy, which focuses on developing public-sector systems. The system aims to provide comprehensive, seamless and efficient government services through digital information. As a result, efforts are being made to increase economic confidence, build mechanisms, and sustainably maintain security.
The country recognises that the use of technology for the daily operations of every organisation and government policies must be upgraded to support various digital transactions for the betterment of public service. Thailand’s government continues to advance digital literacy and transformation in the country as part of its strategy.
Thailand has developed the “Net Pracharat Project” to bridge the country’s significant digital divide and move the country toward stability, prosperity, and sustainability. The project emphasised the importance of developing a robust digital infrastructure as a foundation and requirement for the nation’s other digital areas, including creating an expanding and sustainable digital economy in the Asia-Pacific.
Thailand has also established a National Digital Trade Platform system. The system serves as a clearinghouse for international trade information. It aims to prepare better Thailand for its Digital Trade Transformation initiatives, making it more competitive and convenient for investors and other digital laws, such as e-transactions and e-meetings.
Thailand’s digital economy is one of the country’s leading engines of economic growth. The “Thailand 4.0” strategy aims to establish Thailand as a regional hub for innovation and knowledge-based digital business in Southeast Asia.
Dr Kasititorn Pooparadai, Senior Executive Vice President of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Thailand, spoke with OpenGov Asia exclusively. She revealed that the country has achieved its national target in the Thailand Digital Economy and Society Development Plan, which is in line with Thailand’s 20-Year Strategy. To fully integrate digital technology into every aspect of business in Thailand, they have been working on this plan since 2018.
She emphasised that the country is well prepared for the impending transformation that it will face soon. To bolster the country’s efforts through the Digital Economy Promotion Master Plan, they have supported digital technology in various sectors, from agriculture, manufacturing, and services, and progressing to communities to progress towards Thailand 4.0.
