BANGKOK– Thailand, known for its lively cities and peaceful rural spots like Chiang Rai, faces a growing problem with mobile phone scams. Criminals use SIM cards to trick people, often operating from secretive call centres in nearby countries.
These scams drain huge sums from Thai citizens and shake confidence in online services. To fight this, government agencies like the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) have brought in strict new rules on SIM card use.
Since 2023, these changes have ramped up, aiming to shield the public, businesses, and networks from the damage caused by scammers.
Widespread SIM Card Fraud
The problem is much bigger than most expect. Figures from 2023 show that people in Thailand received about 79 million fake calls and texts, which led to losses of over 53.8 billion baht (about $1.46 billion US), according to the Central Investigation Bureau.
Many of these scams trace back to call centres in countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar . Fraudsters get hold of SIM cards using false or stolen identities. They use these SIMs to send links that infect phones, pose as bank staff or government officials, or steal one-time passwords and other sensitive info.
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) shared that the average Thai person got 7.3 scam calls and 20.3 scam texts throughout 2023, showing an 18% rise from the year before. Thailand now stands as the most targeted country for phone scams in Asia, based on the Asia Scam Report.
Fraudsters keep updating their tricks. Some pretend to be relatives seeking help, while others run romance or banking scams using false profiles. A reported case saw a 60-year-old woman in Chiang Rai lose her entire savings to a long-running romance scam involving a SIM card registered with a fake name. Older people often bear the brunt of these crimes.
Tools like SIM boxes , which let gangs make thousands of calls using the internet, have made it even easier for criminals to reach large numbers of targets, all while working from outside the country.
Strong Measures from Thai Officials
The Thai government has stepped up with a clear plan. The NBTC and MDES introduced tighter rules for getting a SIM card , closing gaps that allowed fraud to flourish. Starting in 2025, all SIM card applications must include biometric checks such as facial recognition, tying each SIM to a traceable person.
This rule, launched on January 17, 2025, means scammers can no longer easily use fake or stolen IDs. The NBTC also checks SIM registrations against official databases, a process that started in May 2024 when it reviewed 106 million mobile banking accounts linked to phone numbers.
Restrictions now curb the number of SIM cards any one person can hold. Since November 2023, anyone with more than five active SIMs has to confirm or update their registration at a mobile shop. As of July 13, 2024, stricter rules apply to anyone with six or more SIMs.
Foreigners from certain countries can only have three SIMs per network provider and must show their passports. Prepaid tourist SIMs are now valid for just 60 days unless the user updates their ID.
To hit scam gangs hard, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police went after illegal SIM boxes and SIMs with fake registration. In January 2024, over 13,000 SIMs used for more than 100 calls a day were cut off. Most belonged to major operators: 7,344 to DTAC, 4,196 to AIS, 1,688 to True, and nine to National Telecom.
In March, police arrested more than 100 people linked to criminal gangs running these setups. The NBTC also lowered the signal at 13 border sites and switched off 84 antennas to block signals going out of the country.
The loss from SIM fraud is linked to “mule accounts.” These are bank accounts set up with mismatched SIM information, then used for fraud. In 2024, the NBTC, together with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and the Bank of Thailand, checked 120 million mobile phone numbers tied to bank accounts.
Around 30.9 million (a quarter of all checked) were linked to foreigners who signed up before 2023 and showed mismatched details. The government set a deadline (April 30, 2025) to correct these or risk losing access to mobile banking.
The “ Cleaning Mobile Banking ” drive started in 2024, pushing Thailand to make phone and banking data match, cutting down on fraud risks.
Scams do not only harm individuals. They affect businesses (especially banks and telecom companies) and put important national systems at risk. To address this, the NBTC introduced fines of up to five million baht and jail time of up to five years for companies that leak personal info without consent. Operators and banks, if careless, can no longer avoid blame.
Building Public Awareness and Looking Ahead
Technology fixes are only part of the solution. The NBTC has rolled out large campaigns to teach the public how to spot scam calls, fake messages, and malware. Public service ads, information sessions, and simple guides are sent out across the country, with a focus on older people. In Chiang Rai, NBTC-led workshops at community centres teach locals how these scams work and how to protect themselves.
Still, scammers do not stand. They now use things like low-Earth satellites and clever new tech to dodge police. NBTC commissioner Pol Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn said in June 2025 that poor coordination in catching fraudsters and the call centre gangs’ ability to shift tactics keep the problem alive. The government is now testing a Caller ID system connected to the police, displaying caller names to make life tougher for scammers.
Thailand’s firm stance on SIM card abuse marks a strong move towards safer mobile use. By linking SIMs to verified people, tightening controls, and making people more aware, officials are striking at both the surface and deeper causes of cyber fraud.
This effort brings hope to communities like Chiang Rai, but the fight will continue. Criminals will keep shifting their strategies, so the government, phone companies, banks, and the public must keep working together. The advice remains simple—verify SIM registration, stay watchful, and protect personal information.
