The ruling only applies to people with SIM cards that are pay-and-use as customers who pay their bills at the end of every month have to register for their particular service anyway. The new law also affects those who use Thai SIM cards to access wireless internet services.
The Thai National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission says mandatory registration is necessary as it provides a deterrent against criminals who use mobile phones to abet their wrongdoings. The user database can also be used to trace the telephone numbers and addresses of people who hide behind the anonymity of mobile devices to libel others.
The principal mobile telephone service providers in Thailand are AIS, DTAC and Truemove and they maintain service centres in Big C, Tesco Lotus and other larger shopping centres in most towns. Expats, long-term tourists and other foreign visitors need their passports or other acceptable ID to register their SIM cards.
Thai cabinet affirms mandatory SIM registration
News in Asia
The Thai cabinet re-affirmed on Wednesday that mobile telephone users will have to register their SIM cards before 31 July or their services will be reduced. People among the approximate 90 million who have not yet registered their SIM cards with their service providers will only be able to receive incoming calls and place emergency calls after the deadline.