Thailand’s Cabinet has approved amendments to the Emergency Decree on Measures for the Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes, introducing five key measures to combat cybercrime and enhance digital security:
1. Joint Liability for Service Providers: Financial institutions, mobile network operators, and social media platforms now share responsibility for damages caused by technology crimes within their systems, fostering accountability and enhancing consumer safeguards.
2. Immediate SIM Card Suspension: Telecommunication providers must promptly deactivate SIM cards associated with criminal activities to prevent further misuse.
3. Faster Victim Compensation: Banks are required to share suspicious account information with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (“AMLO”), expediting investigations and enabling quicker reimbursements. Victims may now receive refunds within six months—or immediately if account details are verified—compared to previous delays of over a year.
4. Enhanced Platform Oversight: Platforms facilitating financial transactions must take proactive measures to prevent and monitor criminal activities, bearing responsibility for illegal transactions occurring within their systems. This highlights a move toward stricter regulation of digital financial platforms.
5. Stricter Penalties for Data Breaches: Unauthorized disclosure of personal data now carries fines of up to THB 5 million per offence or imprisonment of up to five years. The decree differentiates penalties for selling personal data and disseminating it without consent.
The decree awaits final review by the Office of the Council of State. Once enacted, it will bolster Thailand’s efforts to combat cybercrime, protect citizens, and build public trust in the digital economy.
Thailand’s New Technology Crime Suppression Decree_Bangkok Global Law