Thailand ramps up crackdown on online fraud

The government of Thailand has strengthened digital platform regulations under the new DPS law, aiming to protect consumers from online scams and hold platforms accountable.

Deputy Government Spokesman Anukool Pruksanusak on July 19 revealed that the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) reported over 3,381 complaints related to online fraud in 2024. These complaints included fraudulent investment schemes, impersonation of well-known figures, counterfeit goods, and the creation of fake financial institutions and pages, resulting in losses exceeding 19 billion THB (580 million USD) in just one year.

The Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) of the Royal Thai Police reported that in 2024, more than 400,000 cybercrime cases were filed, with total damages exceeding 60 billion THB. In the first half of 2025, 166,000 cases had already been reported, with over 50% related to online sales.

The government, led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, is stepping up its oversight, and platforms deemed "high-risk" will be required to comply with additional legal obligations under the Digital Platform Service (DPS) law.

The ETDA recently issued a directive listing digital platforms in the goods market that must comply with Section 20 of the DPS Act, effective from July 10, 2025. These platforms include those generating over 1.8 million THB in revenue annually in Thailand or those with more than 5,000 users per month, such as Lazada, Shopee, and Facebook Marketplace.

Thai authorities expect that the law will contribute to protect consumers from online fraud, ensure transparency and accountability from platform providers, and enable government agencies to effectively track, monitor, and regulate digital platforms.

The public is also urged to exercise caution and always verify information before making online transactions. /.