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The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry of Thailand has reaffirmed its dedication to eight core policies aimed at combating online fraud and fostering a sustainable digital economy. During the ministry’s 8th anniversary ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong emphasised the importance of these policies in enhancing the nation’s digital capabilities while ensuring stability and safety within the digital landscape.
The eight policies outlined by the ministry focus on several critical areas, each designed to strengthen Thailand’s digital framework:
Addressing Online Threats: This policy aims to tackle the growing problem of online fraud, which has increasingly become a major concern for consumers and businesses alike.
Tackling Data Leaks: The ministry is committed to addressing the issues of data leaks from state agencies, enhancing the security of sensitive information and restoring public trust.
Promoting Digital Implementation: By driving digital initiatives across all regions, the ministry seeks to ensure that digital advancements benefit the entire country, not just urban centres.
Implementing a Cloud-First Strategy: This initiative encourages the use of cloud technology in government and private sectors, aiming to improve efficiency and accessibility.
Advancing Artificial Intelligence Development: The ministry recognises the potential of AI in various sectors and is committed to fostering its growth for national benefit.
Enhancing Digital Workforce Skills: This policy focuses on developing a skilled digital workforce that can meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy.
Strengthening Startups and SMEs: The ministry is dedicated to supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, which are vital for economic growth and innovation.
Improving Competitiveness Ranking: Efforts are underway to enhance Thailand’s global competitiveness in the digital arena, with specific targets set for the coming years.
Minister Prasert reported significant progress in these areas over the past year. He highlighted that, from November 2023 to August 31, 2024, the Anti Online Scam Operation Center (AOC 1441 Center) demonstrated improvements across all metrics. Notably, the damage caused by online crime decreased from an alarming 116 million baht per day to 75 million baht in August, marking a substantial reduction of 36%.
During this same period, the AOC received over 985,000 calls, averaging 3,231 calls daily. In response to the rising threat of online scams, the centre suspended more than 291,000 bank accounts linked to fraudulent activities. The ministry also reported that, in collaboration with various agencies, it successfully shut down 138,660 illegal URLs-an impressive 11-fold increase compared to the previous fiscal year.
On the issue of mule accounts, which are often used in financial fraud, more than 1 million accounts were suspended. Of these, 450,000 were halted by the Anti-Money Laundering Office, while banks contributed to suspending an additional 300,000 accounts.
In addressing data protection, the Personal Data Protection Committee’s PDPC Eagle Eye Center examined 43,561 state units, revealing a significant decrease in data leaks from 31.4% to just 1.5%. The ministry has taken further action against illegal data trading, working alongside the Technology Crime Suppression Division to block 110 cases, leading to nine arrests and a fine of 7 million baht imposed on a private company responsible for a data breach.
In terms of global competitiveness, Thailand’s digital ranking improved from 40th to 35th in 2023, with aspirations to break into the top 30 by 2026. These ongoing efforts reflect a robust commitment to enhancing Thailand’s digital landscape, ensuring safety, and promoting sustainable economic growth for the future.
Looking ahead, Minister Prasert announced plans to promote AI for national development in three key areas: building AI infrastructure, creating a centralised platform for AI-driven services on government cloud, and developing ethical guidelines for AI usage.
