BANGKOK, Thailand – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has imposed stricter controls on telecom operators following orders from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to prevent illegal use of Thai networks by cross-border criminal groups. The measures were adopted after the first meeting of the National Steering Committee on the Prevention and Suppression of Technology-Related Crimes, chaired by the Prime Minister, on October 20.
NBTC Acting Secretary-General Trairat Viriyasirikul said all licensed operators are now required to use “Cell Radius” technology to confine mobile signal coverage within Thailand and stop transmission leakage into neighboring countries. The system regulates the range of radio signals from base stations rather than relying on antenna height limits, effectively geofencing mobile service areas along border regions.
Operators must also review their service contracts and monitor customer usage for potential misuse. Any suspicious or unlawful activity must be reported immediately to the NBTC, with services suspended pending investigation. Companies that fail to comply will be held jointly liable under the 2023 Royal Decree on Measures for the Prevention and Suppression of Technology-Related Crimes.
The NBTC has stepped up field inspections of border-area base stations, enforced antenna-height restrictions, and prohibited the use of Thai-registered IP addresses for services abroad. These steps target cross-border scam operations that have exploited signal overlap, especially along the Thai–Cambodian border. The commission assured that mobile service quality in border provinces will remain stable despite the new containment measures.
Operators who violate the rules may face suspension or revocation of their licenses under the 2001 Telecommunications Business Act. (NNT)
