Ghost account holders may lose their 30-Baht Gold Card benefits. The Ministry of Digital Economy is discussing with the Finance Ministry to find additional penalties. Those who agree to sell bank accounts for money may be disqualified from receiving state welfare benefits, such as the 30-Baht Gold Card.
On 17 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Nan Boonthida Somchai, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), revealed after the meeting of the Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Committee under the 2023 Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Act that the meeting on 17 Sep 2026 GMT+7 included Mr. Permpoon Chidchob, Advisor to the Prime Minister; Ms. Chompharee Chomphurat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of DE; Police Major General Niwet Aphawasin, Deputy Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division; Mrs. Pronong Busaratakul, Secretary-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and representatives from related agencies to discuss and update approaches to tackle ghost accounts and suppress technology crimes.
“The meeting discussed various issues including scams targeting students, who have become a new target group for call center gangs. Most scams involve promises of scholarships and dormitory rentals. Although students are among the most tech-savvy age groups, familiarity with technology does not mean they are immune to deception. Awareness communication may not reach this group effectively because they tend to filter information according to their interests. Therefore, it was deemed necessary to enhance communication to be clearer and more targeted.”
The meeting approved upgrading cyber threat awareness communication by producing simple, concise guidelines and adopting a centralized communication approach instead of having each agency conduct separate campaigns, which have been less effective. Additionally, they decided to return to traditional communication through the Department of Provincial Administration, which holds meetings at provincial, district, and village head levels. This approach is expected to reach 60-70% of rural populations.
Ms. Nan added that although the number of ghost accounts has decreased, it is not enough. Therefore, they are considering additional penalties for ghost accounts. They have consulted with representatives from the Ministry of Finance to explore ways to revoke state welfare rights for those identified and legally determined to be ghost account holders, in addition to penalties under the law.
“If individuals still agree to sell bank accounts for money, they should not be entitled to state welfare benefits, which number in the hundreds, including the right to medical treatment under the 30-Baht Gold Card scheme.”