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Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), Mr Prasert Chantarawongthong, addressed the Senate and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combat online crimes and ensure the safety of its citizens in the digital space. In a statement representing Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Mr Prasert reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combat online crimes and ensure the safety of its citizens in the digital space.
Recognising the growing threat of cyber fraud, the Ministry of Digital Economy has taken decisive actions to mitigate the impact of these crimes on the public. Mr Prasert emphasised that the government is not indifferent to this pressing issue and has been actively working to suppress fraud continuously and promptly. The operations of the Anti Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC 1441) from November 1, 2023, to September 20, 2024, reveal significant progress in addressing these online threats.
During this period, AOC 1441 received over 1 million calls – specifically, 1,037,701, averaging approximately 3,193 calls per day. As part of their response, authorities suspended 311,819 bank accounts involved in fraudulent activities, averaging 1,102 suspensions daily.
The types of fraud varied, including Fraudulent goods and services: 92,118 accounts (29.54%), Seeking extra income: 76,709 accounts (24.60%), Investment scams: 50,076 accounts (16.06%), Prize money scams: 24,355 accounts (7.81%), Loan scams: 24,140 accounts (7.74%) and Other cases: 40,989 accounts (14.13%)
These statistics highlight the significant challenge online fraud poses to Thai society, leading the Ministry of Digital Economy to collaborate with agencies like the Royal Thai Police, the NBTC, and the Bank of Thailand to combat cybercrime effectively. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at raising public awareness and prevention strategies, especially targeting vulnerable groups such as children, youth, and the elderly.
While significant progress has been made in arresting criminals and suspending fraudulent accounts, Mr Prasert highlighted the ongoing nature of these challenges. To date, evidence and assets exceeding 10 billion baht have been seized through joint operations, reflecting the commitment of the government and its partners to address online crime comprehensively.
In a proactive move to enhance consumer protection, the Ministry is introducing new measures, such as the COD (Cash on Delivery) system effective October 3, 2024. This approach will ensure that sellers receive payment only after buyers have inspected their products, thereby significantly reducing fraud associated with product and service trades.
In addition to immediate actions against online fraud, the government is also focusing on legislative reforms. There are ongoing efforts to amend laws governing technology crimes to expedite the drafting of new regulations, enhance victim rights, and increase penalties for violations, particularly targeting call centre fraudsters. The reforms aim to bolster the accountability of social media platforms, telecommunications providers, and financial institutions in safeguarding user data and preventing fraud.
Furthermore, as criminals evolve by employing new technologies such as satellite signals for illegal activities, the government remains vigilant in coordinating with various agencies to maintain robust defences against these sophisticated threats.
Mr Prasert reiterated the Ministry of Digital Economy’s resolve to combat online fraud, stating, “We will intensively and continuously suppress online threats and call centre gangs to reduce the suffering of the public in a tangible way according to the government’s policy.”
Thailand’s ongoing commitment to cyber resilience is demonstrated through its proactive measures to tackle online fraud, enhance public awareness, and implement legislative reforms. The government’s multi-faceted approach aims to build a safer digital landscape for all citizens, ensuring their protection against the ever-evolving threats of cybercrime. If citizens fall victim to online scams, they are urged to report the incident by calling AOC at 1441 for immediate assistance.