Thailand Sets Up ‘War Room’ After Surge in Complaints Over Suspended Bank Accounts Linked to Mule Account Allegations
DES, banks, and law enforcement clarify that suspended funds—not full account freezes—are temporary pending verification under new technology crime law
Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) has established a special “war room” to address complaints from individuals and online vendors who discovered their bank accounts had been suspended over suspected links to so-called mule accounts.
The move follows urgent talks on Sunday involving the Bank of Thailand, commercial banks, and law enforcement agencies.
Wisit Wisitsora-At, permanent secretary of DES and chair of the meeting, clarified that the measures in question are temporary suspensions of certain funds or transactions, not full legal account freezes.
Affected account holders may continue to conduct other transactions in those accounts.
Under new rules tied to the Royal Decree on Measures to Prevent and Suppress Technology Crimes (No. 2) of 2025, banks can suspend suspect funds for up to three days.
Police may extend the suspension to seven days.
If investigations find no evidence of wrongdoing, the suspended amounts are returned and released.
Some people reported negative balances after funds were deducted, which DES attributed to earlier flagged amounts exceeding available balances.
Permanent freezes occur only when police issue formal seizure orders under the Criminal Procedure Code.
Authorities said the war room, jointly staffed by DES, the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers’ Association, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), and the Anti-Money Laundering Office, will review each case in depth.
Criteria will include transaction patterns, whether account usage matches the account owner’s typical financial behaviour, and connection to known mule account watchlists.
The DES said it has received more than six hundred to seven hundred calls in a single morning from account holders seeking help.
Tools for lifting suspensions are being deployed, including a fast-track review process.
When a suspension is lifted, banks will notify the account holder directly.
The Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC) and Digital Economy Ministry said they will not contact customers directly to avoid impersonation risks.
The move follows urgent talks on Sunday involving the Bank of Thailand, commercial banks, and law enforcement agencies.
Wisit Wisitsora-At, permanent secretary of DES and chair of the meeting, clarified that the measures in question are temporary suspensions of certain funds or transactions, not full legal account freezes.
Affected account holders may continue to conduct other transactions in those accounts.
Under new rules tied to the Royal Decree on Measures to Prevent and Suppress Technology Crimes (No. 2) of 2025, banks can suspend suspect funds for up to three days.
Police may extend the suspension to seven days.
If investigations find no evidence of wrongdoing, the suspended amounts are returned and released.
Some people reported negative balances after funds were deducted, which DES attributed to earlier flagged amounts exceeding available balances.
Permanent freezes occur only when police issue formal seizure orders under the Criminal Procedure Code.
Authorities said the war room, jointly staffed by DES, the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers’ Association, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), and the Anti-Money Laundering Office, will review each case in depth.
Criteria will include transaction patterns, whether account usage matches the account owner’s typical financial behaviour, and connection to known mule account watchlists.
The DES said it has received more than six hundred to seven hundred calls in a single morning from account holders seeking help.
Tools for lifting suspensions are being deployed, including a fast-track review process.
When a suspension is lifted, banks will notify the account holder directly.
The Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC) and Digital Economy Ministry said they will not contact customers directly to avoid impersonation risks.
