Thai authorities demand registration for individuals holding over five SIM cards

Under the leadership of Prasert Chantraruangthong, the Committee for the Prevention and Suppression of Cybercrime has mandated the registration of individuals possessing more than five SIM card numbers.

The numbers are staggering. A whopping 7,664 individuals possess over 100 SIM cards, with Thai nationals holding 3,580,571 of them, and foreigners not far behind with 2,591,365. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has insisted on addressing this matter within one month.

Trairat Viriyasirikul, acting secretary-general of the NBTC, stated that it is a critical problem for fraudulent online activities. He warns that the regulation has been in effect for years and that all carriers must enforce one ID card for no more than five SIM cards.

Failure to comply could result in hefty fines for operators, with the NBTC board proposing a staggering fine of 1 million baht per day for those who fall short.

The NBTC’s survey in June uncovered a disturbing trend where small dealers facilitated individuals registering more than five SIM cards, paving the way for illicit activities. To counter this, the telecom regulator is contemplating a bold move—forcing existing mobile subscribers with over 10 active SIM cards to re-register at mobile operators’ service centres.

Sutisak Tantayotin, deputy secretary-general of the NBTC, revealed that stricter measures are on the horizon.

“The move was partly pushed by the police through the joint discussion.”

If enforced, mobile subscribers with an excessive number of SIM cards must re-register within the stipulated timeframe, or risk losing their ability to make phone calls, reported KhaoSod, and Bangkok Post.

As the nation grapples with the rising tide of online crimes, various stakeholders, including the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, the Royal Thai Police, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers’ Association, and mobile operators, have convened multiple times to devise strategies to combat this menace.

In a bid to safeguard against mule bank accounts used for illegal transactions through mobile banking apps, the NBTC is contemplating stricter measures. The law, expected to be forwarded to the NBTC board soon, may require individuals with a significant number of SIM cards to re-register, potentially starting with those holding 10 or 30 SIM cards.