In response to growing concerns regarding vulnerabilities in mobile phones, Thailand has taken significant steps to bolster its telecommunications and cybersecurity measures. The Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE Minister), Mr Prasert Chandraruangthong, chaired a pivotal meeting of the Defense Committee, joined by key officials from various agencies, including the Royal Thai Police, the Anti-Money Laundering Commission, and the Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The meeting focused on crucial issues surrounding the management of illegal Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) cards and accounts, as well as the freezing and return of funds to victims of fraudulent activities. Key outcomes of the meeting included stringent measures to combat illegal SIM card activities, such as the suspension of SIM cards making over 100 calls per day and the verification of user identities. Additionally, efforts to crack down on illegal account activities resulted in the freezing of thousands of accounts and the arrest of individuals involved in selling illegal SIM cards.
One of the most pressing concerns addressed during the meeting was the need to expedite the return of funds to victims of technological crimes. Despite significant progress in freezing funds associated with illegal activities, Minister Prasert stressed the importance of accelerating the refund process and called for improvements in related laws and regulations.
Furthermore, Thailand has ramped up efforts to block illegal websites, with a substantial increase in the number of URLs blocked in the fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year. Measures to prevent the opening of new accounts for criminal purposes were also discussed and accepted for further consideration by relevant authorities.
Minister Prasert highlighted the global nature of technological crimes, emphasising the need for coordinated efforts among countries, particularly in the ASEAN region. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by Thailand and reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing telecommunications security to protect citizens from financial crimes and privacy breaches.
The menace of technological crimes extends beyond Thailand, constituting a global issue impacting numerous countries, notably within the ASEAN region. Efforts to tackle analogous challenges are underway in countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam.
As per an OpenGov Asia report, the Philippines House of Representatives has approved the SIM-Card Registration Act in the Philippines. This act requires the registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. It is expected to benefit the country by enabling SMEs to engage in e-commerce and build consumer trust in a fast-growing identity-linked digital services society. The bill aims to promote accountability and help enforcement agencies track down criminals through mobile phones with pre-paid and post-paid SIM cards.
Similarly, in Vietnam, the MIC Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) has requested operators to handle SIM cards suspected of being pre-activated on their distribution channels to reduce spam text messages and improve security. Telecom firms have also deployed artificial intelligence (AI) and photo-matching tools to prevent the use of invalid documents and fake profile photos. In the future, the VNTA plans to complete a legal framework to avoid junk SIM cards and promote technical measures in managing subscriber information.
The issue of technological crimes, including managing illegal SIM cards and accounts, is an intricate and challenging problem requiring coordinated efforts from governments, telecom regulators, and law enforcement agencies. While progress has been made in addressing these issues, further improvements in laws, regulations, and technical measures are needed to ensure the security and integrity of mobile communication systems.
Mr Prasert’s leadership will be critical in driving Thailand’s efforts to address technological crimes and protect its citizens from financial crimes and privacy breaches. His proactive approach and commitment to enhancing telecommunications security will create a safer digital environment.
