Bangkok: Dr. Noppadol Karnika has proposed a comprehensive four-month plan to the Thai government, urging Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to take decisive action against money laundering and restore justice for honest citizens. Asst. Prof. Dr. Noppadol, a cybersecurity expert and advisor to the Royal Thai Police’s Stronger Together project, presented the findings of a study on combating the “man-account threat”-a term referring to fraudulent online financial activities such as money laundering.
According to Thai News Agency, the study highlighted that digital financial crime has posed a severe threat to Thailand’s economic security and public confidence over the past decade. Fraudulent activities by call center gangs and online fraud networks have exploited weaknesses in financial and communication systems, leading to massive financial losses. A notable shift occurred in mid-2024 with enhanced collaboration between the Royal Thai Police’s Technology Crime Suppression Working Group and the Bank of Thailand, resulting in a significant decrease in financial damages.
Statistical data from the Royal Thai Police indicates that damages from March 2022 to March 2024 amounted to 65 billion baht, averaging 85.3 million baht per day. However, from April 2024 to August 2025, damages decreased to 33 billion baht, or 63.5 million baht per day. Despite these improvements, Dr. Noppadol’s study found that communication gaps have left the public feeling “abandoned by the government,” and measures to protect honest individuals remain unclear, reducing incentives for compliance.
Dr. Noppadol’s proposed measures include establishing a Fast Track Clearing Center to expedite the investigation of frozen transactions, potentially lifting freezes within hours for cases with complete evidence. The plan suggests creating an integrated working group within 30 days, with DES coordinating all agencies through an API system and adhering to international cybersecurity standards.
The proposal also includes implementing a Red Flag/Green Flag Framework for risk assessment and developing a Financial Integrity Score to offer benefits to individuals with transparent financial histories. Investments in AI Fraud Detection and a national central blacklist aim to monitor unusual transactions in real time, providing integrated access to essential data across banks and telecom providers.
To restore public confidence, proactive and transparent communication is emphasized, with weekly public reporting on the outcomes of these measures. Improving the Personal Data Protection Act is also recommended to facilitate data sharing for crime prevention.
In conclusion, Dr. Noppadol’s plan seeks not only to combat financial crime but also to restore justice and confidence in Thailand’s financial system. By integrating efforts across government agencies and financial institutions, Thailand aims to establish robust digital financial protections, potentially becoming a regional leader in combating money laundering and online fraud.