AMLO Expands Definition of Politically Exposed Persons to Include Those Close to Power Indefinitely
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The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has expanded the definition of politically exposed persons. If an individual still exerts influence or maintains close relationships with those involved in key policy decisions, that person shall be considered politically exposed indefinitely.
On 4 Dec 2025 GMT+7, the Government Gazette published the Anti-Money Laundering Office's announcement concerning politically exposed persons.
Pursuant to the authority under the definition of “politically exposed persons” in Clause 3 of the Ministerial Regulation on Customer Due Diligence Procedures, B.E. 2563 (2020), the Secretary-General of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, with approval from the Anti-Money Laundering Committee, hereby issues the following announcement.
Clause 1: This announcement shall come into effect sixty days after its publication in the Government Gazette.
Clause 2: The following key government officials shall be considered politically exposed persons:
(1) Prime Minister
(2) Deputy Prime Minister
(3) Minister
(4) Political appointees under the law on political officials, holding positions equivalent to senior civil service executives under the Civil Service Act.
Clause 3: The following senior officials in the legislative branch shall be considered politically exposed persons:
(1) Speaker of the House of Representatives
(2) Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
(3) President of the Senate
(4) Deputy President of the Senate
(5) Member of the House of Representatives
(6) Member of the Senate
(7) Secretary-General of the House of Representatives
(8) Deputy Secretary-General of the House of Representatives
(9) Secretary-General of the Senate
(10) Deputy Secretary-General of the Senate
Clause 4: The following senior officials in the executive branch shall be considered politically exposed persons: :
(1) Senior civil servants in executive-level positions in central and regional government under the Civil Service Act.
(2) Senior police officers holding the following positions:
1) Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police
2) Police Inspector-General, Deputy Commissioner-General, or equivalent ranks
3) Assistant Commissioner-General or equivalent ranks
4) Police officials heading departments with positions equivalent to Director-General as defined by the law on appointment criteria for department heads in the Royal Thai Police.
Clause 5: The following senior officials in local administrative organizations shall be considered politically exposed persons: :
(1) Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA):
1) Governor of Bangkok
2) Deputy Governor of Bangkok
3) Chairman of Advisors, Advisors, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary to the Governor of Bangkok
4) Members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council
5) Permanent Secretary of Bangkok
6) Deputy Permanent Secretary of Bangkok
(2) Pattaya City:
1) Mayor of Pattaya City
2) Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City
3) Chairman of Advisors, Advisors, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary to the Mayor of Pattaya City
4) Members of Pattaya City Council
5) Permanent Secretary of Pattaya City
6) Deputy Permanent Secretary of Pattaya City
(3) Provincial Administrative Organizations:
1) President of a Provincial Administrative Organization
2) Vice President of a Provincial Administrative Organization
3) Chairman of Advisors, Advisors, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary to the President of a Provincial Administrative Organization
4) Members of a Provincial Administrative Organization Council
5) Permanent Secretary of a Provincial Administrative Organization
(4) City Municipalities
(5) Subdistrict Municipalities and others, extending to the judiciary, administrative courts, constitutional court, and senior officials in independent constitutional agencies, as well as senior officials in state agencies and state enterprises.
Additionally, persons who have held politically exposed positions and have left office for no more than one year shall also be considered politically exposed persons. Even if more than one year has passed since leaving office, if the individual still has influence or close relationships with current politically exposed persons or plays a role in important policy decisions, they shall continue to be regarded as politically exposed persons until financial institutions or professionals under Section 16 determine there is no risk related to money laundering.
In cases of issues concerning the enforcement or compliance with this announcement, the Secretary-General shall have the authority to interpret and make final decisions. The Secretary-General's rulings shall be final.