Say cheese! Thai banks to need your face for big withdrawals

It’s been scanned at malls, at airports, and even 7-Elevens. Now, all Thai banks say customers must give up their faces to the National Digital ID platform. 

Surrendering your very identity is even more inevitable now that all banks in the kingdom will require facial recognition to withdraw sums of THB50,000 (US$1,500) and up, transfer over THB200,000 per day, or raise transfer limits over THB50,000.

“Please bring your passport or other identification documents and passbook to update your latest personal information and take a facial photo at any Bangkok Bank branch nationwide,” a reads a text from Bangkok Bank that has been going out to customers in recent days.

The new rules come into effect next month. The changes are the latest in so-called Know Your Business policies intended to combat money laundering and scams. Remember how pulling the plug on PayPal…