Bangkok: The Minister of Justice has announced policy directives to the cyber police, revealing that the Prime Minister has ordered a crackdown on former and current MPs involved in online crime to curb illicit political funding during the election period.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Ruddhaphol Naowarat, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Suppression of Technology Crimes, chaired a meeting with the Technology Crime Investigation Bureau (TCIB) to provide policy guidance. The meeting aimed to establish guidelines for collaborative work in combating scammers in line with government policy.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttapol highlighted that technology-related crimes, including online fraud and gambling, affect over 350,000 victims annually, causing damages exceeding 25 billion baht per year. This data, sourced from the AOC Center between January and December 2025, underscores the significant impact on the public. Consequently, the Prime Minister has designated this issue as a crucial policy matter, issuing an order dated October 24, 2025, to appoint a subcommittee to combat these crimes. The subcommittee includes relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Royal Thai Police.
The Minister of Justice further reported that in approximately two months, authorities have arrested over 15,000 individuals for various online offenses. This includes 6,400 technology-related offenses across 14 categories, over 1,700 cases involving fake SIM cards and horse accounts, and the recovery of assets for 293 victims. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau has played a crucial role in these efforts, integrating all agencies to enhance investigation and monitoring of criminal networks.
To further enhance the effectiveness of the crime suppression mission, the Prime Minister directed Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutra, Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), to collaborate with the Sub-Committee on Crime Suppression. The coordination aims to ensure coordinated operations and address any challenges faced in their work. Encouragement was also extended to police officers under the CCIB for their continued cooperation.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttapol emphasized the importance of decisively suppressing scammers and online gambling, particularly when involving former or current Members of Parliament. Strict prosecution according to the law is mandated to eliminate illicit funding potentially used in political or governmental activities. Responsible parties have been designated to address any involvement of politicians in technology-related crimes, in collaboration with the Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and other relevant superiors.