Thailand will require all individuals and businesses running paid social media advertisements targeting users in the country to verify their identity from 1 November.
The policy, titled "No ID, No Ads", requires digital platforms to confirm the legal identity of an advertiser before publishing any paid promotional material. Unpaid personal posts remain exempt from the ruling. Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana confirmed that the regulation applies across major networks, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, alongside TikTok and other commercial platforms operating in Thailand.
Rules for Expats and Foreign Advertisers
The measures affect all commercial campaigns directed at audiences in Thailand, regardless of where the account holder is based.
Foreign nationals do not need to travel to Thailand to complete the process. Platforms will accept qualifying overseas identity documents, including British passports and digital identity services. For registered companies, the checks will require official business registration certificates and proof of identity for authorised representatives. Those who have completed an approved identity check with a platform within the previous twelve months will generally not need to repeat the procedure for every individual campaign.
Impact on Small Businesses and Freelancers
British nationals operating businesses in Thailand must ensure their accounts are verified to prevent commercial disruptions.
This includes self-employed expatriates, hospitality operators, and estate agents advertising rental apartments or commercial premises. The regulation also covers third-party agencies and freelance marketing consultants hired to manage or boost posts for clients. If an agency runs campaigns on behalf of a client, the platform must verify both the payer and the promoter. Thai authorities have advised all business operators to review their advertising settings and prepare verification documents before the deadline.
Data Retention and Platform Liability
Social media companies must retain the identity records of advertisers for at least 90 days after a campaign ends.
This requirement includes the payment details and identities of any third parties financing the promotions. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, led by Chaichanok Chidchob, introduced the rules to ensure commercial advertising is traceable during police investigations. Earlier this month, Thai police arrested 39 suspects connected to an alleged investment network that used Facebook advertisements to solicit funds. Platforms that fail to enforce verification measures could face shared legal liability if users lose money through fraudulent adverts.
Consumer Protections and Scam Reporting
For British expatriates living in Thailand, the policy aims to reduce exposure to misleading commercial offers and fraudulent investment schemes.
Identity verification does not indicate that an advertised product has received government approval. The government clarified that verification only confirms the advertiser's identity, not the quality or legitimacy of their goods and services. Officials will monitor compliance rates and platform response times once the rules take effect.
Expats who encounter suspected scam advertisements should preserve evidence immediately. Relevant material includes screenshots, payment receipts, web links, and bank account numbers. Victims should contact their bank, report the content to the hosting platform, and notify the Thai anti-online scam hotline on 1441.
Source: thethaiger.com
Reviewed by the Thailand Guide Editorial Team • Last reviewed: 28 October 2026
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