Thailand Introduces Biometric SIM Registration to Curb Scams

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Thai PBS
 

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is launching a stern clampdown on unauthorised SIM cards and the digital rogues behind online scams. With the introduction of biometric identification for SIM card registration, fraudulent SIM dealers are now on notice. Those breaching this new system could face crippling penalties.

 

In a country where more than half of the population relies on prepaid SIM cards, this initiative could revolutionise how mobile subscriptions operate in Thailand. Floating predictions previously foresaw 94 million mobile subscriptions by 2025. However, this expectation is now tempered by a projected 19% decline, with numbers settling around 77.8 million subscribers. This adjusted vision considers a post-registration world where the subscriber rate per 100 people aligns at roughly 100%.

 

Thailand's current mobile penetration rate stands impressively at 140%. This figure is expected to drop to 111% as the biometric registration system eliminates numerous unauthorised multiple SIM card users and dodgy practices. Nonetheless, doubts remain as to whether crafty users might still find loopholes, potentially impacting the forecast.

 

Drawing comparisons with other nations, Thailand might witness a substantial dip, echoing the 25% reduction experienced by the Philippines in 2024 during a similar registration process. The possibility of a mobile market contraction hovers as factors such as legislative changes and various SIM ownership complicate clarity.

 

Despite this uncertainty, the mobile market is anticipated to rebound. By 2034, it's projected to regain a penetration rate of 131%, equating to an estimated 91.6 million subscribers. With emerging markets already navigating the choppy waters of multiple SIM registrations and accompanying regulations, upcoming shifts in forecasts are quite likely.

While the introduction of biometric authentication is hailed by regulators as a necessary step to cut down on fraud, it poses a conundrum for mobile operators who face increased operational costs to maintain compliance with these stringent measures. Initially, this translates to temporary pressure on their profit margins as they adapt to the new systems.

 

Failure to adhere to these new regulations would attract considerable fines, albeit a financial challenge for any non-compliant network providers.

 

This analysis is brought to you by BMI, a part of Fitch Solutions, with no affiliation to Fitch Ratings' Credit Ratings framework. The data and insights stem independently from BMI and affiliated sources.

 

As Thailand navigates this biometric frontier, the nation sets its sights on a more secure and streamlined digital communication landscape, with hopes of eliminating fraudulent activities and reinforcing its mobile market structure, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-11

 

 

[khunPer]

Google says:

Biometric SIM card registration is a process that involves the capture of an individual's biometric information, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition, and linking it to their SIM card registration details.

 

What is the biometric process of SIM?

Biometric SIM registration refers to completing the Know Your Customer (KYC) process during onboarding by registering an individual's face or fingerprint characteristics with the documentation. By submitting the biometrics, the individual's ID verification happens from a government database. 8. nov. 2567 BE

[scottiejohn]

A poor article as it does not say if this will only apply to new SIM cards or is some retrospective registration for current SIMs in the pipeline?

[Negita43]

Just how will this stop scams - many scam calls don't even originate in Thailand.

Also I can see a big market in "captured" fingerprints (wear your gloves whilst drinking that pint)!

[DaveInSukhumvit]

21 hours ago, khunPer said:

Google says:

Biometric SIM card registration is a process that involves the capture of an individual's biometric information, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition, and linking it to their SIM card registration details.

 

What is the biometric process of SIM?

Biometric SIM registration refers to completing the Know Your Customer (KYC) process during onboarding by registering an individual's face or fingerprint characteristics with the documentation. By submitting the biometrics, the individual's ID verification happens from a government database. 8. nov. 2567 BE

Great idea!  Humm, what could go wrong?  I mean they never had a data breach, right?  Oh wait.  If, by some crazy chance, my thumbprint or face was distributed along with other my personal data, that could get messy.

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Will achieve nothing except make life harder for bona fide customers, i.e. everybody.

[Lorry]

7 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Will achieve nothing except make life harder for bona fide customers, i.e. everybody.

Which is exactly why it's implemented

[hotchilli]

Scammers will find a way around this.

[edwardflory]

Food for thought.  American national, 12 years with same numbers.

 

Combined "bill" for all.

1) I have 5G WiFi - passport required by provider & copied.

2) I have 2 sims in my phone - passport required by provider & copied.

3) my wife's mobile is on my bill ( 2 years ) - sim is registered in her name, her ID required, my passport required & copied.

 

How is biometric gonna work for us. What could go wrong......

 

 

[redwood1]

Guaranteed this will not stop scammers...Its their job to figure out how to not comply.....

 

But it will work perfect to make average peoples life more complicated...

[tomazbodner]

Isn't this already done? If you buy a SIM at a telecom shop or a convenience store, they take photo of your ID card and your photo during registration process. I guess all this means is that this same process will now also extend to mobile shops in malls like MBK where thousands of SIM cards used to be pre-registered to some Swedish bloke, ready to use.

[StayinThailand2much]

Will it be like in China, where you need a national's ID card to register? Great, so will I have to  get a SIM card in Cambodia, or Malaysia, if, as a foreigner, I want to use my phone in Thailand... 🤔

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

If you buy a SIM at a telecom shop or a convenience store, they take photo of your ID card and your photo during registration process (...)

 

"ID card" you mean also passports?

[tomazbodner]

3 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

"ID card" you mean also passports?

Yes, for foreigners it's passports. Sometimes they can use Pink ID, sometimes not.

[black tabby12345]

On 2/13/2025 at 6:13 AM, hotchilli said:

Scammers will find a way around this.

 

Think so.

Hightech criminals are often a few steps ahead of dumb bureaucrats.