The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand has intensified its crackdown on irregular phone numbers, focusing on border provinces, as part of efforts to tackle technology-related crimes.
In January, the NBTC ordered the suspension of 28,112 phone numbers nationwide, a rise from 23,057 numbers suspended in last December. These numbers are suspected of being 'ghost SIMs'—unregistered or fraudulently used SIM cards often associated with illegal activities.
Trairat Viriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of NBTC, said that the commission is collaborating with all licensed telecommunications operators and mobile service providers to screen and verify phone numbers exhibiting suspicious activity. Service is immediately suspended when any risks are identified.
Most suspicious behaviours involve using the same phone number to make large volumes of calls within a short period, a pattern commonly linked to scams or call centre gangs using unregistered or stolen identities. These operations are a significant part of the online crime landscape, causing widespread harm to the public.
Data analysis reveals that border provinces continue to be hotspots for irregular phone usage. Sa Kaeo, bordering Cambodia, leads with 7,331 suspended numbers; followed by Chiang Rai, bordering Myanmar and Laos, with 4,231; Nong Khai, bordering Laos, with 3,898; and Narathiwat, bordering Malaysia, with 2,534. These figures highlight the connection to transnational criminal networks.
In contrast, Bangkok saw 511 SIM cards suspended, with another 511 in the surrounding provinces, including Nonthaburi (114), Pathum Thani (177), Samut Prakan (126), Nakhon Pathom (54), and Samut Sakhon (40).
The NBTC emphasised that these measures will continue under clearly defined regulations. Mobile service providers are required to closely monitor and report any suspicious SIM usage to the commission weekly, ensuring rapid and efficient interception of potentially fraudulent cards.
This initiative is part of the NBTC's efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework in the telecommunications sector, aiming to protect citizens' safety and assets amidst a constantly evolving online crime landscape. The agency said it will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to close loopholes and reduce the use of telecommunications networks for criminal activities in the long term.
