The seminar was designed to address the escalating threats posed to public institutions, businesses and civil society by online scams and cyber-enabled fraud. It underscored the urgency of collective action to combat scams that undermine digital trust, with an emphasis on international coordination, proactive policy, and inclusive public awareness. Through peer-to-peer exchange, experts compared situations and responses in Thailand, ASEAN, and EU Member States, shaping a joint way forward in addressing shared challenges. 

The activity was co-hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand. The seminar was facilitated by the EU-funded project ESIWA+ (Enhancing the EU’s Security Cooperation In and With Asia and the Indo-Pacific).

In his opening remarks at the seminar, H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, said: “No country or region is spared from the complex and cross-border nature of cybercrime and online scams — they have caused devastating impacts economically and psychologically to our peoples and threatened trust in public institutions, financial systems, and regional security. We value our partnership with the European Union and hope this exchange helps further align our efforts in tackling scam-related crimes in all its forms.”

“Online scams and cyber fraud are a transnational threat that affects not only our economies but also our citizens’ trust in the digital world. The EU is proud to work with Thailand to share experiences, strengthen protection frameworks, and support the development of joint responses to this evolving challenge,” said H.E. Mr. David Daly, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Thailand.

“Through this seminar, we reaffirm the EU’s readiness to engage with Thailand and ASEAN partners in promoting a secure, inclusive, and rules-based digital environment across the Indo-Pacific,” he added.

Professor Wisit Wisitsora-at, Permanent Secretary of MDES, said: “The protection of citizens in the digital age is a shared responsibility,” highlighting Thailand’s recent legislative advances and interagency coordination against online fraud. “Only through stronger prevention mechanisms and deepened cooperation among governments, regulators, platforms, the private sector, and civil society can we truly build resilience against the growing threat of scams,” he added.

The seminar focused on three key themes:

• Emerging scam typologies and their connection to transnational criminal networks and human trafficking
• National and EU operational/legal frameworks, including enforcement challenges and coordination mechanisms
• Public-private partnerships and regional cooperation, including prevention and victim support initiatives

The seminar brought together representatives from Thai key agencies, namely Anti-Online Scam Center, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, Royal Thai Police, Bank of Thailand, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, alongside a representative from leading telecom-tech provider, True Corporation.

On the EU side, experts in cybersecurity, law enforcement and financial fraud contributed insights, including officials from national cybercrime units, representatives of the EUROPOL, the Portuguese Ministry of Interior, and civil society organisations focused on digital victim protection.

About the EU’s ESIWA+ project:

ESIWA+ (Enhancing the EU’s Security Cooperation In and With Asia and the Indo-Pacific) promotes cooperation in four strategic areas: cybersecurity, maritime security, crisis management and addressing hybrid threats, counter-terrorism and preventing/countering violent extremism. The project is co-funded by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), the German Federal Foreign Office, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and co-implemented by Expertise France and GIZ.

Previous ESIWA activities in Thailand

In October 2023, ESIWA organised a Seminar on Sharing Good Practices to Respond to Cybercrime, followed in May 2024 by the EU-Thailand Workshop on Multi-Sectoral Strategies for Preventing & Countering Violent Extremism. In March this year, ESIWA facilitated the EU-Thailand-Japan Seminar on the Law of the Sea, working with the Kingdom of Thailand’s Office of the National Security Council and the Japan Coast Guard. ESIWA has also supported the participation of representatives of Thai government agencies to attend a range of collaborative workshops and seminars both in the EU and in the Indo-Pacific.

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