Korat: Fearing the repercussions of a frozen bank account due to suspected involvement with a money mule account, a well-known chicken rice shop in Korat, Rak Kafae Chicken Rice Shop, has posted a sign stating, "Temporarily not accepting transfers." This decision comes in the wake of a growing trend among local businesses to avoid scan-to-pay transactions, which has impacted sales and made customers hesitant to use cash.
According to Thai News Agency, the concern arose after an incident where an individual's account was frozen due to suspected connections with a mule account. This has led many businesses to reconsider their payment methods, fearing the same fate. Mr. Nopanan, the shop owner, expressed his apprehension, explaining that the shop receives numerous customers daily, making it challenging to verify if the transferred funds are linked to mule accounts. As a result, the shop has temporarily stopped accepting scan-to-pay or transfers to avoid potential financial hardship if their account were to be suspended. He called on the government and relevant agencies to address and clarify the issue promptly.
In Khon Kaen, merchants have echoed similar concerns. Ms. Sommai, a durian vendor, recounted an incident where a customer refused to buy when she requested cash, highlighting the difficulties merchants face with this payment dilemma. She mentioned accepting bank transfers despite the risks, as a significant portion of her transactions are made this way. Ms. Sommai urged the government to act swiftly, as the fear of becoming an unwitting mule accountant adds to the challenges of running her business.
Ms. Prapassorn, owner of "Jay A Talay" restaurant in Khon Kaen, is awaiting further developments. She fears repercussions if she stops accepting scan-to-pay, especially since there are no ATMs nearby. She criticized the authorities for shifting the burden onto the public and expressed her concerns about future financial constraints should her account be suspended.
In response to these growing concerns, the Bank of Thailand is scheduled to clarify the details of the suspension of money transfer transactions this afternoon, aiming to mitigate the damage from mule accounts.