Bangkok: BAAC is taking proactive steps to assist farmers through the “Half-Half Plus” initiative to ensure they are not locked out of mule accounts.
According to Thai News Agency, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is extending support to farmers and community enterprises who register for the “Half-Half Plus” program. The bank is committed to monitoring any financial transactions that might involve mule accounts and promises to unlock such accounts within 24 hours if they are found guilty.
Mr. Chatchai Sirilai, President of BAAC, highlighted that the government is accepting registrations for merchants from October 15 to December 19, 2025, and for individuals from October 20 to 26, 2025. BAAC customers, including individuals, farmers, and community enterprises, are encouraged to register. Provincial agencies will also assist community enterprises in the registration process.
The issue of mule accounts has raised significant concerns, prompting BAAC to prepare measures to closel
y monitor the situation. If a BAAC customer inadvertently scans to pay at a merchant under the “Half-Half Plus” program and receives funds tied to a mule account, leading to account suspension, they can inform the BAAC branch to clear their name. After verification, BAAC assures that the customer’s account will be reinstated within 24 hours. Given that most BAAC customers have only one bank account, suspension would halt transactions. Although there is no data yet on registered individuals from the first round of 20 million applications, the verification process for merchants and community enterprises is ongoing, ensuring that issues are minimized.