Bangkok: Merchants across Thailand are continuing to accept payments via scanning, despite widespread concerns about their accounts potentially being frozen. Many vendors fear losing sales and customers, and are urging banks to perform thorough checks before taking action against their accounts.
According to Thai News Agency, a survey conducted in Khok Si Subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen District, highlighted growing anxiety among vendors about account freezes linked to mule accounts. This has led some vendors, particularly those selling eggs, rice, and drinking water, to temporarily suspend scanning and transfers, requesting cash payments instead. This shift has impacted sales, as many customers prefer cashless transactions. An incident two weeks prior added to the apprehension when a bank app displayed a recording warning during a transaction, disrupting payments for days.
Despite the concerns, vendors at Ban Khok Si Night Market continue to allow scanning and transfers, albeit with trepidation. They emphasize the importance of not losing customers, who often don't carry cash, and are appealing to authorities for a resolution to protect innocent parties from account freezes.
In Chiang Mai Province's San Sai Market, vendors have not restricted payment transfers, although they remain uneasy due to media reports of account freezes. With cashless transactions prevalent, vendors find it challenging to verify the origin of transfers and are anxious about inadvertently becoming associated with mule accounts. They stress the need for continued business operations and advocate against unjust account freezes, which could negatively impact both merchants and the general public.
Similarly, in Krabi, a turmeric fried chicken vendor voiced concerns about scanning payments but acknowledged its necessity due to customers' preference for cashless transactions. The vendor called on relevant authorities and banks to thoroughly investigate circumstances before freezing accounts, to prevent undue hardship on vendors.