Thailand Establishes Data Bureau to Track Grey Money Flows

Thailand will set up a new data bureau to trace suspicious fund flows tied to online gambling, scam accounts, and other grey-money channels, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said. The system, due by December, will integrate data across ministries, banks, and regulators under a “Connect the Dots” task force with the Bank of Thailand. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul backed the move amid questions over the baht’s firmness despite weak growth. Authorities said illicit funds often pass through crypto, cash networks, and gold before being laundered into real estate, vehicles, and luxury goods. The government aims to align rules with FATF standards, and the central bank has instructed tighter due diligence. For wealth managers and family offices, the reforms strengthen Thailand’s financial transparency and compliance credentials.