Thailand exempts five groups from SIM registration update
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) has outlined five groups exempt from updating their SIM registration names to match mobile banking names as part of measures to prevent online crime. The aim is to curb mule accounts. This measure began on February 1.
The first group includes mobile numbers registered under government agencies, such as the Office of the Attorney General, or organisations where employees or staff use the numbers. These will be considered exceptions and are not required to follow the new measures.
The second group covers customers with specific needs or legal restrictions that prevent them from changing their mobile numbers. Such individuals can submit a request for exemption, along with supporting documents, to their bank.
For the third group, family members such as parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and registered spouses are exempt. They must present relationship documents to the bank, such as a house registration, birth certificate, or marriage certificate, along with proof of phone number ownership like a tax invoice or phone bill.
The fourth group comprises legal entities, including private companies or legally recognised entities. If registering a number under the entity’s name and allowing employees to use it, they must provide a company-issued certificate detailing the phone number and authorising its use for mobile banking.
The final group includes individuals requiring legal guardianship, such as those who are incapacitated, quasi-incapacitated, or disabled. They must present court-appointed guardian documents or disability cards to the bank, reported KhaoSod.
The ministry’s notification highlights that only direct alerts via mobile banking applications will inform the public of the necessary actions. No other communication channels will be used to prevent fraud.
This initiative is part of a collaborative effort between the MDES, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the banking sector, and the telecommunications industry to enhance efforts against online crime, particularly targeting mule accounts used by call centre scams.
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