Thailand Establishes Task Force to Combat Online Gambling and Scam-Linked Fund Transfers

Thailand has launched a new inter-agency task force to track and disrupt financial transactions tied to online gambling and scam networks, strengthening the country’s response to financial crime and unlicensed betting operations.

The initiative, announced by the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the government’s Financial Intelligence Unit, brings together law enforcement, banking regulators, and cybersecurity agencies. The task force will focus on tracing “grey money” — funds circulating between illegal gambling operators, scam centres, and digital payment channels.

According to BOT Governor Vitai Ratanakorn, banks and remittance services will now be required to report suspicious activities more frequently and to apply stricter real-time transaction monitoring. The move follows growing concerns about the scale of online scams and illegal betting networks operating across Thailand and its border regions with Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.

As part of the crackdown, Thailand’s central bank has already introduced a daily transfer cap of THB 50,000 (around US$1,500) for certain accounts identified as higher-risk, aiming to limit the speed at which illicit funds move through the system.

Authorities say the task force will also collaborate with international partners to address cross-border financial flows tied to gaming and scam operations. In parallel, the government reaffirmed its commitment to advance discussions on a regulated gaming framework — stressing that effective enforcement and consumer protection must remain top priorities.

The task force is expected to publish its first findings in early 2026, focusing on digital payment platforms and cryptocurrency transactions linked to gambling and fraud.