DES urges calm amid lockouts

'War room' to handle frozen bank accounts

- WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has opened a special “war room” to urgently address complaints over frozen bank accounts, after a surge of reports from online vendors and individuals who found their funds locked due to suspected links with so-called “mule accounts.”

The move came after the Bank of Thailand (BoT), commercial banks, and law enforcement agencies held urgent talks yesterday to address growing public concern over the temporary suspension of the accounts. “Mule accounts” are often opened by unknowing parties to receive transfers from victims of financial fraud.

DES permanent secretary Wisit Wisitsora-at, chairman of the meeting, said the reports which prompted the concerns were not full seizures but temporary suspensions of suspect funds, pending verification.

“This is not an account freeze in the strict legal sense, but a temporary suspension of certain amounts of money suspected to be tied to mule accounts. Other balances and transactions remain usable,” Mr Wisit said.

“We urge the public not to panic. The suspension is only temporary and will be lifted once checks confirm no wrongdoing.”