Thailand Puts Small-Business AI and Financial Crime on IMF–World Bank Agenda

Thailand is using this week’s IMF–World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok to advocate for the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting small businesses. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas highlighted a Thai AI assistant for merchants, which the World Bank cited as an example of technology that can help manage sales and facilitate access to finance, according to Kaohoon.

The assistant is integrated into a mobile app that merchants use to access government support, as reported by Khaosod. It aids users in managing stock and calculating profits. Ekniti mentioned that nearly one million small merchants utilize this app, enabling lenders to assess businesses lacking traditional collateral by analyzing transaction records with the merchants' consent. This innovative approach aims to address the challenge of how lenders evaluate shops whose trading activities are visible in the app but whose owners cannot provide conventional collateral.

While Thai coverage has emphasized the potential of sales data to enhance lending decisions, it does not clarify how many loans have been approved based on this data. The World Bank has pointed out existing gaps in digital skills, data governance, and inter-agency coordination as significant barriers to broader AI adoption in Thailand.

In addition to AI, Ekniti discussed financial crime, stating that Thai officials are working to connect information from various agencies, including the police and the central bank, to trace illicit financial flows, as per Kaohoon. He noted ongoing collaboration with the IMF to establish a framework for international cooperation against scams and financial crime. However, these accounts do not confirm the adoption of any international standards.

Contrastingly, the Philippines has been actively addressing the rising threat of online scams through its Scam Ready Asean initiative, which was highlighted during a national public-private partnership dialogue hosted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on October 12. This initiative aims to educate and protect consumers against various forms of digital fraud, including impersonation schemes and fraudulent investment offers. The Manila Times reported that the program is supported by a $5 million grant from Google.org and aims to reach 3 million people across 11 ASEAN countries.

The urgency of the scam issue was underscored by findings from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s State of Scams Philippines 2026 study, which estimated that 84 percent of Filipino adults encountered scam attempts in the past year, resulting in financial losses of approximately P121.8 billion. The Philippine initiative aims to educate 1 million Filipinos, with an ambitious goal of reducing scam victimization and related financial losses by 50 percent, although the baseline for this target is yet to be established.

While Thailand's discussions have focused on leveraging AI for small business financing and combating financial crime, the Philippines has framed its efforts as a comprehensive national strategy involving multiple stakeholders, including law enforcement and financial institutions, to enhance consumer protection. The Philippine National Police reported 4,509 online scam cases in the first half of 2026, a decline from 5,526 during the same period in 2025, indicating ongoing efforts to combat digital fraud.

The differing emphases in coverage reflect broader national interests: Thailand's focus is on technological innovation and financial infrastructure, while the Philippines prioritizes immediate consumer protection and coordinated responses to digital threats. As both countries navigate the challenges posed by financial crime, their approaches highlight the importance of tailored strategies that address local contexts and needs.