Financial Crime World

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Financial Inclusion and Crime in Thailand: A Growing Concern

As the Thai economy continues to grow, so does the concern about financial inclusion and its potential link to crime. The country’s efforts to increase access to financial services have been met with some success, but experts warn that this increased accessibility also creates new opportunities for criminal activity.

Assessing Risk and Applying a Risk-Based Approach

Identifying High-Risk Sectors and Individuals

The Thai government has taken steps to assess the risk of financial crime and apply a risk-based approach to regulation. This includes identifying high-risk sectors and individuals, as well as implementing measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.

National Cooperation and Coordination

Sharing Intelligence and Best Practices

Cooperation and coordination between government agencies, financial institutions, and law enforcement authorities are crucial in the fight against financial crime. Thailand has made significant progress in this area, with various agencies working together to share intelligence and best practices.

Money Laundering Offence

Strengthening Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Regulations

Money laundering remains a major concern in Thailand, with criminal organizations using the country’s financial system to launder illicit funds. The Thai government has taken steps to strengthen its anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including increasing penalties for those found guilty of money laundering.

Confiscation and Provisional Measures

Seizing Assets Linked to Criminal Activity

In addition to stricter penalties, the Thai government has also implemented confiscation and provisional measures to seize assets linked to criminal activity. This includes freezing bank accounts and seizing properties believed to be involved in illegal activities.

Terrorist Financing Offence

Implementing Robust Customer Due Diligence Procedures

The threat of terrorist financing is also a growing concern in Thailand. The country’s financial institutions are required to implement robust customer due diligence procedures to prevent the use of their services for terrorist financing purposes.

Targeted Financial Sanctions

Freezing Bank Accounts and Seizing Assets

Thailand has also imposed targeted financial sanctions on individuals and entities linked to terrorism and terrorist financing. These sanctions include freezing bank accounts, seizing assets, and restricting travel.

Non-Profit Organisations

Regulating Non-Profit Organizations

The Thai government has also taken steps to regulate non-profit organizations, which have been used in the past as a means of laundering money and financing criminal activity.

Financial Institution Secrecy Laws

Striking a Balance Between Personal Financial Information and Law Enforcement

Despite these efforts, concerns remain about financial institution secrecy laws, which some argue can hinder efforts to combat financial crime. The Thai government is working to strike a balance between protecting personal financial information and ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to investigate financial crimes.

Customer Due Diligence

Verifying Customers’ Identities and Conducting Background Checks

Financial institutions in Thailand are required to conduct thorough customer due diligence procedures to prevent the use of their services for criminal purposes. This includes verifying customers’ identities, conducting background checks, and monitoring transactions.

Record Keeping

Maintaining Accurate Records of Transactions

Thai financial institutions are also required to maintain accurate and detailed records of all transactions, including cash transactions above a certain threshold.

Politically Exposed Persons

Implementing Special Measures for PEPs

The Thai government has implemented special measures to regulate the activities of politically exposed persons (PEPs), who have been used in the past as conduits for corrupt practices.

Correspondent Banking

Due Diligence and Ongoing Monitoring

Correspondent banking relationships between Thai financial institutions and foreign banks are also subject to strict regulations, including requirements for due diligence and ongoing monitoring.

Money or Value Transfer Services

Regulating Hawala Systems and Other Money Transfer Services

The use of money or value transfer services, such as hawala systems, is also regulated in Thailand. These services must be registered with the government and subject to regular inspections.

New Technologies

Staying Ahead of New Technologies Used by Criminals

Thailand is also working to stay ahead of new technologies used by criminals, including cryptocurrencies and other forms of digital payment.

Increasing Transparency and Requiring Beneficial Ownership Information

The Thai government has implemented measures to increase transparency and require beneficial ownership information on legal persons, making it easier to trace funds linked to criminal activity.

Thai financial institutions are also required to maintain records of the beneficial owners of legal arrangements, such as trusts and companies.