The Bank of Thailand initially reported 10 verified illegal apps offering personal loans, including Fineasy and Happy Loan, to the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) under the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry.
An office worker in Bangkok points to the Fineasy app on her Oppo smartphone. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) - The Bank of Thailand has identified 10 mobile applications illegally offering personal loans and is working to have them removed from the App Store and Google Play Store.
According to Pirajit Padmasuta, the central bank's senior director for financial consumer protection and financial service provider supervision, the regulator initially reported the 10 verified illegal apps offering personal loans, including Fineasy and Happy Loan, to the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) under the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry.
The central bank will coordinate with regulatory agencies to request Google to remove these illegal applications from the app store.
Notably, besides above-mentioned applications, there are two unlicensed personal loan apps that were found to be pre-installed on some mobile devices from Oppo and its subsidiary Realme. These apps were reportedly capable of sending loan invitations and accessing users' personal data, including contact lists and phone numbers.
Regarding Fineasy and Happy Loan, 40 individuals have filed complaints against Oppo, Realme and their distributors, alleging the apps operated illegally and collected personal data in violation of the Personal Data Protection Act. The complaints are to be reviewed by an expert committee to consider potential fines, accordingꦯ to the law./.
The line would link up with the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima first phase now under construction, allowing for fast travel from the Thai capital to China’s Yunnan via Laos where a high-speed line is already operating.
Chief of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet has recently signed a police order on the establishment of a centre to combat influential figures, hired assassins and major criminals.
The meeting also discussed efforts to crack down on call-centre scam operations, which are not only prevalent in Thailand’s neighbouring countries but are a global issue.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
