Pictures courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared a “war we must win” against online scammers, launching a nationwide campaign to combat cybercrime through coordinated action among 15 key government and financial agencies. The initiative was formalised on 6 November, at Government House, where Mr Anutin, presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation to prevent and suppress technology-related crime.

 

The prime minister described cybercrime as a serious threat to Thailand’s national security, economy and international reputation. “Online scams are eroding the lives of our people, damaging families and undermining national confidence,” he said. “This MoU is not just a document, it is a weapon. It represents a collective mission.” The agreement creates a unified front against cybercriminal networks increasingly targeting Thai citizens through online fraud, money laundering and digital deception schemes.

 

Mr Anutin outlined five measures under the new framework: strict enforcement against perpetrators, coordinated intelligence sharing, immediate asset seizures to disrupt criminal financing, advanced technology and AI deployment for tracing illicit activity, and public awareness campaigns to build vigilance. He said the initiative demonstrates the government’s seriousness in tackling technological crime, rejecting claims that it has been slow to respond to the issue.

 

Among the 15 signatories were the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMIO), the Royal Thai Police, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Ministries of Digital Economy, Justice, Interior, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Commerce. The Bank of Thailand, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Thai Bankers’ Association and the Association of State Financial Institutions also joined the agreement.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government is drafting an emergency decree to regulate “grey money” and identify beneficiaries of suspicious financial transactions. He revealed that Mr Anutin personally directed the Finance Ministry to push forward the measure “without favouritism or delay,” highlighting the administration’s determination to close loopholes used by criminal networks.

 

Ekniti added that the stability of the Thai baht and the growth of digital assets have attracted illicit use by transnational scam groups. The new decree, being structured by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, will enhance oversight of financial innovations and cryptocurrency transactions.

 

Interior Ministry permanent secretary Ansit Samphantharat said Mr Anutin will travel to Mae Sot, Tak province, to oversee the repatriation of migrants from Myanmar’s KK Park, a site identified as a hub for online scam and trafficking operations. The prime minister has also appointed four sub-committees, including one focused on connecting national financial data under his direct supervision, to ensure Thailand’s anti-scammer framework meets or exceeds global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Prime Minister Anutin launched a unified anti-scam campaign involving 15 government and financial agencies.

• The government plans an emergency decree to regulate grey money and cryptocurrency-linked laundering.

• Thailand aims to align its anti-cybercrime systems with international Financial Action Task Force standards.

 

Related Stories

 

RTP-identifies-signs-of-foreign-scam-rings

 

Minister-denies-links-to-scam-gangs-allegations

 

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Bangkokpost 2025-11-07

 

 

 

 

Says the man who has a convicted heroin dealer in his cabinet, and this same cabinet member is being implicated in ties to scammer networks, you can't make this <deleted> up! Thammanat Prompao will be Anutin's downfall, "birds of a feather flock together".

 

 

Huge difference between glibly 'declaring war' on the scammers and actively pursuing the strategies outlined above.

 

Is there a real political will to deal with this problem?......I guess it depends on who is involved at the higher levels and to where or to whom the proceeds are  currently flowing.

 

 

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared a “war we must win” against online scammers, launching a nationwide campaign to combat cybercrime through coordinated action among 15 key government and financial agencies. The initiative was formalised on 6 November, at Government House, where Mr Anutin, presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation to prevent and suppress technology-related crime.

 

The prime minister described cybercrime as a serious threat to Thailand’s national security, economy and international reputation. “Online scams are eroding the lives of our people, damaging families and undermining national confidence,” he said. “This MoU is not just a document, it is a weapon. It represents a collective mission.” The agreement creates a unified front against cybercriminal networks increasingly targeting Thai citizens through online fraud, money laundering and digital deception schemes.

 

Mr Anutin outlined five measures under the new framework: strict enforcement against perpetrators, coordinated intelligence sharing, immediate asset seizures to disrupt criminal financing, advanced technology and AI deployment for tracing illicit activity, and public awareness campaigns to build vigilance. He said the initiative demonstrates the government’s seriousness in tackling technological crime, rejecting claims that it has been slow to respond to the issue.

 

Among the 15 signatories were the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMIO), the Royal Thai Police, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Ministries of Digital Economy, Justice, Interior, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Commerce. The Bank of Thailand, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Thai Bankers’ Association and the Association of State Financial Institutions also joined the agreement.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government is drafting an emergency decree to regulate “grey money” and identify beneficiaries of suspicious financial transactions. He revealed that Mr Anutin personally directed the Finance Ministry to push forward the measure “without favouritism or delay,” highlighting the administration’s determination to close loopholes used by criminal networks.

 

Ekniti added that the stability of the Thai baht and the growth of digital assets have attracted illicit use by transnational scam groups. The new decree, being structured by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, will enhance oversight of financial innovations and cryptocurrency transactions.

 

Interior Ministry permanent secretary Ansit Samphantharat said Mr Anutin will travel to Mae Sot, Tak province, to oversee the repatriation of migrants from Myanmar’s KK Park, a site identified as a hub for online scam and trafficking operations. The prime minister has also appointed four sub-committees, including one focused on connecting national financial data under his direct supervision, to ensure Thailand’s anti-scammer framework meets or exceeds global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Prime Minister Anutin launched a unified anti-scam campaign involving 15 government and financial agencies.

• The government plans an emergency decree to regulate grey money and cryptocurrency-linked laundering.

• Thailand aims to align its anti-cybercrime systems with international Financial Action Task Force standards.

 

Related Stories

 

RTP-identifies-signs-of-foreign-scam-rings

 

Minister-denies-links-to-scam-gangs-allegations

 

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Bangkokpost 2025-11-07

 

 

 

 

There is so much endemic corruption that his statement rings hollow. Why is the baht so high when the economy is faltering? We are begining to learn about the sale and transfer of gold (mostly to cambodia, no doubt criminal organizations) from Thailand. I don't understand the process but the effect on the baht is obvious. How does this happen ... hmmm?

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

Says the man who has a convicted heroin dealer in his cabinet, and this same cabinet member is being implicated in ties to scammer networks, you can't make this <deleted> up! Thammanat Prompao will be Anutin's downfall, "birds of a feather flock together".

And also the most corrupt politician in Thailand head of the very corrupt Blue Party responsible for the Senate Money Laundering Scheme. 

OMG. Scammers and all type of criminals have been here forever. It's a safe haven for people who are up to no good.

 

Good luck with that crackdown guys!

1 hour ago, Nickcage49 said:

OMG. Scammers and all type of criminals have been here forever. It's a safe haven for people who are up to no good.

 

Good luck with that crackdown guys!

Thailand is a safe heaven for criminals.They let all kind of people enter the country.

Its a reason why all kind of scumbags steeling money working from Thailand.
Chinese.. Russians.. arabs.. indians..and so on.This is a never ending story that will end up loosing tourists on a level that will hit them really hard 

Well no Nobel peace prize for you then as you’ve declared war. 🤣

On 11/7/2025 at 3:49 AM, Georgealbert said:

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared a “war we must win” against online scammers, launching a nationwide campaign to combat cybercrime through coordinated action among 15 key government and financial agencies.

Kicking them out of Thailand is one thing, stopping them online is another.

China took over Sihanookville years ago and turned it into scam city, 

Anyone who wants to have some real understanding of what's really going on with the scam industry, please watch this video and share. The scale and the amount of powerful people involved is staggering! 

 

 

This guy might as well be called "The Declaration Man". I recall during the entire decade long Prayuth Decimation every week or every two weeks there was another declaration, proclamation, crackdown and promise to clean things up. At most these cleanup campaigns would last 15 days and then they would be forgotten, so nothing that this man says can be trusted ever. 

On 11/8/2025 at 10:27 AM, hotchilli said:

Kicking them out of Thailand is one thing, stopping them online is another.

China took over Sihanookville years ago and turned it into scam city, 

And then left it abandoned , half built buildings , ruined, a ghost town. 
when they first arrived, I spoke to a young taxi boy and he said that the motel, middle of the strip had kids there for sale.