The government is advancing its crackdown on scammers by enhancing measures to block 'mule accounts,' centralizing the database, and accelerating refunds to victims through the Anti-Money Laundering Office's (AMLO) system without waiting for court orders, effective from 12 August 2026 GMT+7.
On 10 August 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Laksamee Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is intensifying its fight against scammers by upgrading efforts to block 'mule accounts,' centralizing databases, and expediting refunds to victims. It is also advancing plans to build public resilience. The Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes and the Subcommittee on Prevention of Technology and Transnational Crimes have reviewed the draft criteria for announcing and revoking names of individuals involved in technology crimes (mule accounts), as well as guidelines for data integration and cooperation among agencies under the Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Act, Section 13.
Ms. Ploytale said the draft criteria will enhance the crackdown on mule accounts by suspending all transaction channels (mobile banking, ATMs, online transactions) across all accounts in every bank once a mule account owner is identified. These individuals will be blacklisted, strictly prohibited from opening new bank accounts, and proactive measures will be taken to freeze high-risk accounts even before victims report crimes, to hold funds from being transferred out. Data shows that scammers increasingly lure children and youth to open bank accounts, prompting the Bank of Thailand to begin setting limits on daily transfer and payment amounts through bank accounts and e-money accounts for youths aged 12-18, ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 baht daily depending on age group, with completion expected by October 2026 GMT+7.
Regarding the refund procedures for victims under the ministerial regulations, the meeting aims to swiftly establish guidelines allowing victims to submit refund requests directly through AMLO's system without waiting for court orders. This is to ensure readiness when the regulations take effect on 12 August 2026 GMT+7. AMLO will lead this effort in collaboration with the Digital Economy Ministry, police, Bank of Thailand, Thai Bankers' Association, TEPA/e-Money, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Digital Asset Operators Association. This is an urgent, in-depth measure to be completed within 90 days, by September 2026 GMT+7.
"These enhanced measures may affect innocent citizens. If an individual’s account is suspended unintentionally, they can contact the AOC hotline at 1441, press 2, to verify their identity. The bank will then promptly review and unlock the account. Moreover, if anyone is found to be involved in fraudulent financial activities in any bank, their accounts will be immediately suspended across all banks," she said.