Thailand is advancing its digital security framework to a higher level following the announcement of the “Technology Crime Prevention Measures (No. 2)” officially published in the Royal Gazette on 5 May 2026 by the Electronic Transactions Committee (ETC). This aims to address the widespread problem of fraudulent advertisements on social media platforms, with enforcement set to begin within 180 days, approximately early November 2026.
1. Mandatory identity verification before advertising (KYC): Anyone wishing to place paid advertisements on social media platforms must complete identity verification each time, unless they have verified within the past year.
2. Verification methods: There are two options—facial recognition paired with a national ID card, or using a certified Digital ID system.
3. Platforms must retain data for 90 days: Advertiser information, including that of any payers, must be stored for at least 90 days after an advertisement ends, enabling government authorities to conduct retrospective investigations.
A notable aspect of these measures is their coverage of foreign advertisements targeting Thai consumers. Regardless of where the advertiser is located, if ads are set to appear in Thailand, the platform must enforce identity verification.
Foreign advertisers must also verify their identity, using passports or foreign corporate documents. This prevents fraudsters from easily running scam ads and disappearing as before. Additionally, platforms bear responsibility and may face legal penalties under Thai law if they allow unverified fraudulent ads to be disseminated.
Pawat Pongwityapanu, candidate for Minister of Digital Economy and Society from the People’s Government team, founder of TARAD.com, and pioneer of early digital payment platforms in Thailand, commented on this measure as a significant effort to cut off fraudsters at the source.
“This measure forces platforms to screen 100% of advertisers, making it much harder for fake pages or fraudsters abroad to target Thai users with ads, as they must pass identity verification with passports or corporate documents. Although initially it may add some steps for legitimate users, in the long term it will cleanse the advertising ecosystem, increase buyer confidence, and help genuine sellers compete without facing illegal ads.”
In other words, the measures directly benefit “all users” as follows:
Although the new measures may initially add steps for advertisers, they raise the overall standard from an environment where anyone could easily place ads to one requiring verified, accountable identities, fostering a safer digital ecosystem for both buyers and sellers in Thailand.
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