Bangkok: The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has summoned mobile phone companies for urgent clarification regarding allegations that employees tricked students into registering SIM cards at schools. The NBTC has ordered the immediate suspension of the numbers to prevent further crime.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Trairat Wiriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of the NBTC, revealed that the organization summoned mobile phone service providers to explain the case where distributors took advantage of school activities to distribute prepaid SIM cards. Students were required to register and have their face scanned, with the intention of using the phone numbers for cybercrime.
Mr. Trairat disclosed that the NBTC, in collaboration with the police, discovered that 27 SIM cards given to students have been used in cybercrime, out of a total of 495 SIM cards registered under deceitful circumstances. Consequently, the NBTC has ordered the immediate suspension of all numbers related to this case to disrupt the criminal network and prevent further expansion of the crime.
Mr. Trairat emphasized, "These numbers were illegally opened for children by distributors; they weren't numbers the children requested themselves. All of them must be shut down because there's a risk they could be used for cybercrime. Waiting to visit schools to have children verify their identities and questioning them individually is too slow and inefficient. Using children's personal information to benefit criminals is unacceptable."
He further stated that mobile phone service providers are now prohibited from selling SIM cards alongside educational activities in schools. Such activities should aim to promote genuine knowledge for children. Providers must ensure responsible business practices and oversee their distributors. In cases of wrongdoing or damages, service providers will be held jointly liable.
On February 25, 2026, the NBTC issued a circular instructing all mobile phone operators to strictly adhere to SIM registration procedures. Operators are required to verify and screen the data of mobile phone users under 18 years of age who have registered more than one SIM card, reporting this information to the NBTC within three working days to protect consumers and monitor for cyber threats.