BANGKOK-The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has rolled out strict new rules to address the sharp rise in financial fraud. These measures, released on 19 August 2025, place daily caps on mobile and internet banking transfers.
The aim is to shield those at greatest risk and lessen ongoing losses from scams, particularly those involving phone calls and online tricks. With more than 12 million people now using mobile banking in Thailand, the BOT wants to make sure that digital banking stays safe and trusted.
Reasons Behind the New Caps
The BOT put these daily transfer caps in place due to a spike in online and phone scams threatening security in Thailand’s financial sector. In June 2025, there were 24,500 reports about scam-related transfers, leading to losses of 2.8 billion baht (around $86 million).
On average, victims lost about 114,000 baht ($3,500), with the largest loss from one scam reaching 4.9 million baht ($150,000). Scammers often act fast, draining accounts within minutes, while it usually takes victims nearly a day to report what happened, which makes it hard to trace and recover stolen funds.
Daranee Saeju, assistant governor for Payment Systems Policy and Financial Consumer Protection at the BOT, said capping transfers will slow down the thieves, making it easier for banks to freeze suspicious activity.
This could help return lost money to some victims. The BOT is also reacting to global calls for banks to do more to protect people from the surge in scams, picking up pace in Southeast Asia.
Who Falls Under the Bank of Thailand Transfer Restrictions?
A tiered system now sets daily transfer limits at 50,000 baht ($1,537), 200,000 baht ($6,147), and higher, depending on a customer’s risk level as checked through know-your-customer (KYC) processes.
These limits take effect right away for new users of mobile and online banking, while people who already use these services have to comply by the end of 2025. The lowest cap of 50,000 baht is not set for everyone—those with strong banking histories may keep higher limits for regular, large payments.
Vulnerable groups get special attention. Children under 15 and people over 65, who often fall victim to scams, will face tighter controls. In early 2025 alone, over 78,000 scam cases affected minors and more than 416,000 hit older people.
Banks will watch these accounts more closely, limit transfers, and set up extra checks to lower risks. Customers who need different limits can request changes through mobile apps, phone support, or by visiting a branch. This keeps things flexible while still putting safety first.
Growing Online Threats
Thailand’s move toward digital banking, from just 18 million online users in 2009 to over 50 million by 2020, has made it easier for scammers to target people. Scam methods keep shifting, from fake text messages asking for personal info to cloned voices and dodgy loan apps.
A recent high-profile case in 2024 saw 29 Siam Commercial Bank customers tricked into sharing their ID numbers and one-time passwords, giving criminals access to their accounts. The BOT had already set up biometric ID checks and device restrictions, but these new limits go further to fight fraud.
The Bank of Thailand sees these steps as vital, even if they cause some inconvenience. By July 2025, banks had shut down more than 3 million accounts linked to fraud, including 177,000 used as mule accounts.
The central bank is working harder with local banks and law enforcement to keep improving safety measures. As Daranee Saeju shared, the main aim is to give Thai banking customers a safer environment without losing the ease of digital services.
The BOT will keep a close watch and make updates as scam tactics change, helping to keep Thailand’s financial system safe and reliable.
