New Rules for SIM cards

[Gaybutton]

Thai govt issues new rules for SIM cards

August 21, 2025

The government has announced stricter measures for SIM card registration to combat rising online fraud, following cases in which criminals have exploited SIM-swap scams to steal from victims.

Deputy government spokesman Anukool Pruksanusak said the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will implement Liveness Detection technology nationwide, effective from Aug 18.

The system will apply to all new mobile subscribers, both prepaid and post-paid, as well as existing users replacing SIM cards while keeping the same number. The technology verifies identity in real time through facial recognition, similar to banking applications. This prevents scammers from using photos, videos or 3D masks to impersonate others, a loophole that previously enabled fraudulent SIM registration, he said.

Mobile users must register in person or through applications provided by service operators, service centres, authorised dealers and retail outlets. All documents must be original and valid. Thai nationals must present their national ID card, foreigners a passport, and corporate users a company certificate, along with authorised signatory identification. Operators are required to protect personal data in line with NBTC regulations and the Personal Data Protection Act.

"The government is urgently tackling cybercrime to protect the public," he said. "These measures will reduce risks linked to phone numbers and create a safer digital society," he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -sim-cards

[Jun]

Well do advise me if existing users are required to jump through any hoops in the near future.

I prefer to keep my existing Thai SIM card, as there are several advantages to that. However, I rarely put it in a phone in between trips to Thailand.

[Gaybutton]

Well do advise me if existing users are required to jump through any hoops in the near future.

As long as you don't buy a new SIM card you shouldn't have any problems.

As for farang buying a SIM card, having to show your passport is nothing new. That has been in place for years. Of course, if for some reason a farang does not want to show his passport, all he has had to do in the past was get a Thai to buy the card for him. But these new rules apparently also apply to Thais. I doubt many Thais would want their ID card on record for buying a SIM card, but giving it to somebody else, especially when he has no idea how the card will be used.

Of course, the most likely way around that would be for money to change hands.

In other words, from where I sit, if a criminal is involved and bribes a Thai to buy a SIM card for him, then these new rules in practicality mean nothing and will prevent nothing.

The powers-that-be will have to come up with a better way to try to prevent fraud and scams.

"You'll have to do better than that."
- Nicol Williamson (Merlin). 'Excalibur'