Thailand tightens control over mobile subscriptions to curb cybercrime

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) Prasert Jantararuangtong said authorities will verify the names of foreign subscribers of 700,000 mobile phone numbers before deciding whether to terminate their mobile banking services in Thailand in June.

Thailand's new law aims to strengthen fight against cybercrime. (Photo: Thai.news)

Prasert said the mobile phone numbers had been registered since January 1, 2022. About 700,000 mobile phone numbers registered to foreigners in Thailand together with about 1.8 million mobile phone numbers that had not been registered to anyone will be checked.

According to the minister, the government requires the names of mobile banking service users and the names of subscribers of mobile phone numbers attached to the mobile banking services to be identical in order to curb technology crime. Otherwise, the mobile banking services will be terminated.

The measure was introduced on February 1 and mobile banking service users were required to follow the rule by April 30. Otherwise, mobile banking services on improperly registered phones will be terminated in June.Banks concerned will inform such phone users and ask them to adjust their registration data by April 30. Those who did not receive such a request from their banks via their mobile banking services could continue to use the services without any problem.

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