Nationwide household debt registration to begin this week

The Prime Minister’s Office will establish debt resolution centres to allow citizens nationwide to register starting on Friday (December 1).

According to reports from the Government House released today (November 28), the government will announce a systematic approach to resolving debts outside the formal financial system. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin will preside over this official announcement later today, marking it as a national agenda in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the National Police Office, the Budget Bureau, and the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

Once the Prime Minister has announced the plan for resolving informal debts, the Finance Ministry will initiate registration for debt relief. Simultaneously, registration for assistance in resolving informal debts will be opened nationwide.

Additionally, the Ministry will utilise administrative measures and legal authority to assist, and if necessary, will gather information for further relevant agencies to act upon.

Reports also suggest that the Ministry has sent urgent notices to district chiefs, village leaders, and village committees to monitor individuals or groups engaging in behaviours such as illegal money lending and/or debt collection through threats or violence, and will report such cases to the District Mediation Centre for further action.

Moreover, businesses involved in debt collection will need to register under the 2015 Act to ensure compliance with the law.

To ensure an effective and efficient resolution of informal debts in line with the government's policy, the Ministry has established Informal Debt Resolution Centres in every province, district, and sub-district. They will also facilitate communication for debtors seeking assistance or government intervention in resolving issues.

Citizens can register themselves via the website https://debt.dopa.go.th. If unable to use the online system, individuals can register in person at district offices. In Bangkok, registrations can be done at any district office or through the hotline 1567, available 24/7.

The measures to combat these issues are as follows:

1. In cases where groups or individuals engage in behaviours such as illegal money lending or charging interest rates beyond what the law permits, legal actions will be taken according to the nature of the offence. This includes actions under criminal law, debt collection laws, laws regulating interest rates, and other relevant legislation. Provincial and district administrative organisations have been tasked with overseeing these operations.

2. Law enforcement efforts to combat these offences will be coordinated among all relevant agencies in the respective areas. This coordination aims to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness in the implementation of the law.

Regarding reporting on the progress of addressing complaints or handling cases related to informal debts, reports are to be submitted to the Ministry of Interior on the 15th of every month through the informal debt resolution system, starting December 15 of this year.

The Ministry of Finance has issued a directive to provinces and districts to establish the aforementioned Informal Debt Resolution Centres and commence registration for debtors seeking assistance from December 1. Registration can be done personally or at district offices. Urgent actions are being undertaken by these centres to address complaints filed by debtors promptly. To facilitate registration, debtors will be able to register through QR codes.

For debtors unable to register themselves, regional contacts are provided. In Bangkok, individuals can contact district offices for assistance.

The Ministry of Interior will provide aid and support to debtors who seek help or wish for government intervention in resolving their issues. The ministry will work to resolve complaints and provide assistance to debtors registered through its jurisdiction. For debtors who haven't received help, their information will be collected and forwarded to relevant authorities for future assistance and action plans.

The Finance Ministry meanwhile has authorised districts to employ dispute resolution mechanisms according to the Administrative Organisation Act of 1991, amended Articles 61/1 and 61/2, as well as the Royal Decree on Debt Relief and Conciliation of Other Civil Disputes (2022). In Bangkok, every district office will serve as a registration center for debtors.

The Ministry of Finance will hold a policy meeting on resolving informal debt issues on Friday, December 8, at the Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani in Pakkred District, Nonthaburi Province.