# Thai Government Shuts Down More Than 437,000 Illegal Websites in Major Crackdown

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/crime/294555-thai-government-shuts-down-more-than-437000-illegal-websites-in-major-crackdown
- Published: 2026-03-16T04:50:00+07:00
- Author: PRD Thailand

**The government blocked over 437,000 illegal URLs in five months, primarily targeting
online gambling. Enhanced enforcement measures include AI detection and expedited
service provider notifications to combat digital crime.**

---

## Key Points

 * The government has blocked over 437,000 illegal website URLs in five months to
   combat online crime, primarily targeting online gambling. A total of 437,473 
   URLs were removed from October 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026.
 * In February alone, 132,842 links were blocked on social media and websites. Online
   gambling dominated this action, with 362,482 URLs affected, alongside sites related
   to e-cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis, firearms, prostitution, scams, misinformation,
   hate speech, and pornography.
 * The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is using artificial intelligence 
   to detect illegal online activities. This technology aids in supporting court-
   ordered suspensions and enables swift communication with internet service providers
   to ensure effective blocking of harmful websites.

The government has reportedly blocked more than 437,000 illegal website URLs over
the past five months as part of expanded efforts to combat online crime. Authorities
said most of the blocked sites were linked to online gambling activities.

ADVERTISEMENT

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said the Ministry of Digital 
Economy and Society carried out the enforcement between October 1, 2025, and February
28, 2026, removing a total of 437,473 illegal URLs. In February alone, authorities
blocked 132,842 links across social media platforms and websites.

Online gambling accounted for the largest share, with 362,482 blocked URLs. Other
categories included content related to electronic cigarettes, alcohol advertising,
cannabis sales, firearms, and prostitution. Authorities also blocked additional 
sites linked to scams, misinformation, hate speech, and pornographic material.

### Related**Posts**

###  󠀁[Crypto Heists and Smart Freezer Hacks Reveal Growing Risks in an Increasingly Connected World](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/cryptocurrencies/339312-crypto-heists-and-smart-freezer-hacks-reveal-growing-risks-in-an-increasingly-connected-world)󠁿

###  󠀁[Thailand’s Queen Suthida Pilots Royal Boeing 737 Back From Japan Visit](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/national/336477-thailands-queen-suthida-pilots-royal-boeing-737-back-from-japan-visit)󠁿

###  󠀁[Thai Cabinet to Review 2027 Rail Fares and Rabbit Card Refund Plan](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/national/335791-thai-cabinet-to-review-2027-rail-fares-and-rabbit-card-refund-plan)󠁿

###  󠀁[ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA): Key Insights for Foreign Businesses](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/335623-aseans-digital-economy-framework-agreement-defa-key-insights-for-foreign-businesses)󠁿

The ministry has deployed artificial intelligence systems to detect and analyze 
illegal online activities before forwarding information to enforcement platforms
that support court-ordered website suspensions. Additional tools enable authorities
to quickly send orders to internet service providers and verify that blocked websites
remain inaccessible, thereby boosting efforts to reduce illegal digital activities
and online crime.

**Source** : [Thai Government Blocks Over 437,000 Illegal Websites in Crackdown](https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/52/iid/485173)