Thai perspective towards terrorism

Thailand has been no stranger to acts of terrorism. Since its first major terrorist attack in
1972, it has been a victim of multiple attacks by both international terrorist
organisations and local outfits formed by its disgruntled ethnic minorities.

In recent years, Thailand had attempted to upgrade its security infrastructure. The Thais
had formulated counter-terrorism strategies and developed practical guidelines to
prevent future attacks. They had also participated in joint counter-terrorism initiatives
with other countries.

However, the laws established were not enforced effectively, limiting Thailand’s
counterterrorism efforts. A lack of resources had also hindered counter-terrorism efforts
in Thailand.

After the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2001, the Thai government created the Counter
Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC) in affiliation with the Royal Thai Armed Forces
Headquarters. CTOC is a body that proposes National Action Plans, coordinating
counter-terrorism measures across various agencies like Customs Department and the
Royal Thai Navy.

Thailand also addressed the issue of terrorism in its legislature. In 2003, the Thai
government criminalised terrorism. It’s National Security Policy has since included
counter-terrorism strategies. Thailand has also established anti-money laundering
laws to prevent terrorist groups from receiving financial support. The Bank of Thailand
has also alerted the Royal Thai Police upon discovering illegal transactions to known
terrorist groups.

Thailand believes the global fight against terrorism should be undertaken primarily
within the multilateral framework of the UN in accordance with international law as
enshrined in the UN Charter and uses a comprehensive approach, including measures
directed at root causes of terrorism, intolerance, social and economic marginalization.
International cooperation also needs to include measures against other related
transnational crimes such as drugs and human trafficking, arms smuggling, money –
laundering, document forgery, cyber crimes and piracy. Thailand rejects the
identification of terrorism with any religion, nationality or culture. Thailand therefore
supports all initiatives aimed at inter-cultural or interfaith dialogues and strengthening
the voices of moderation within and among states.

AMLO

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), is Thailand's "...key agency responsible for
enforcement of the anti-money laundering and the counter-terrorism financing
law."[1]:7 It was founded in 1999 upon the adoption of the Anti-Money Laundering Act,
B.E. 2542 (1999) (AMLA).[2] AMLO is an independent governmental agency. It has the
status of a department functioning independently and neutrally under the supervision of
the minister of justice, but is not part of the justice ministry.[1]:10

The AMLO 2015 Annual Report reported 369 persons employed as government officers
plus 30 government employees.[3]:24-25 Its budget for FY2017 is 374.1 million baht.
[3]:88 As of 2015 AMLO was headed by Secretary-General Police Colonel Seehanat
Prayoonrat

Thailand is a party to the Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism and
has regularly updated the KYC/CDD (Know Your Customer/Customer Due diligence)
guideline for banking sector to keep up with international standards laid by the
Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism. In 2006, Anti-Money
Laundering Office (AMLO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Exchange of
Financial Intelligence Related to Money Laundering with Nigeria, Japan and Ireland,
making up a total of 26 jurisdictions that signed MoUs with Thailand. AMLO also shares
intelligence information on money laundering with other foreign Financial Intelligence
Units (FIUs) around the world.

Nowadays, financial institutions in Thailand are required to report promptly to AMLO

any suspicious transaction, including that made by non – profit organizations. The
National Legislative Assembly is at present considering the Draft Amendment of the Anti
– Money

Laundering Act, which widens the scope of offences (such as those related to money
exchange control, gambling, unfair act of stock trading, etc.) Once passed, the Act will
help to improve the overall efficiency of AMLO and related agencies in coping with
terrorist financing. Bank officials in Thailand also receive training from a program, in
which they will be trained on how to identify customers and to rate risk in accordance
with international practice.

Counter Terrorism Financing important points

The need of an adequate system of targeting terrorism finance

1. The establishment of an adequate system of targeting terrorist finance (CFT) is

essential in order to fight terrorism. Reducing the possible harm of terrorist
operations and attacks, an adequate system of control of terrorist finance can
equally serve to monitor militant activities so that preventive actions can be
taken. It also enables the reconstruction of events and the detection of
coconspirators who can then be pursued; and moreover, the public
announcement that financial activities are under scrutiny forces extremist
groups to make frequent tactical changes and communications, which generates
valuable opportunities for intelligence gathering
Legal definitions

5. A comparative analysis of the definitions of terrorism and terrorism financing and

other national regulations needs to be undertaken for the purpose of identifying
problems and gaps in the implementation of international commitments.

6. Terrorist financing should be adequately criminalised, irrespective of the commission

of an actual terrorist act, and incrimination should not be dependent solely on
participation in or assistance to a terrorist group