Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, reported significant progress in tackling telecommunications fraud. Over 100 arrest warrants have been issued, and authorities now require weekly status reports on signals, towers, cables, and SIM card usage. The initiative is running smoothly without anomalies.
When asked about the effectiveness of these measures, Buddhipongse cited police verification confirming a 20% decrease in related cases. Additionally, the Anti-Cyber Fraud Operations Center (AOC) reports that daily complaint calls have dropped by 40% since its launch. Losses from fraud, previously exceeding 100 million Thai Baht, have now fallen to 60-70 million Thai Baht, with daily losses further reduced to below 50 million Thai Baht following power and signal disruptions. Cryptocurrency investment fraud remains the primary contributor to financial losses.
Buddhipongse also provided an update on the “Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes Act,” which has passed cabinet review and is currently under consideration by the State Council. Expected to take effect in March, the law will establish clearer liability for financial institutions, telecom operators, and online platforms. Discussions with key stakeholders are planned this month to ensure smooth implementation.
