Myawaddy Lawmaker Demands End to Border Trafficking
A burgeoning network of illicit scam operations along the Thai-Myanmar border has become a lucrative industry built on human trafficking and fraud. Despite ongoing crackdowns, the problem persists, according to a leading Thai opposition figure. Rangsiman Rome, deputy leader of the People’s Party and chair of parliament’s committee on national security and border affairs, voiced concerns that current efforts are merely addressing the surface of a deeply entrenched criminal enterprise.
Thailand, with support from China, has initiated efforts to dismantle these scam centers, particularly in Myanmar’s Myawaddy area. These centers are part of a larger Southeast Asian network that has ensnared hundreds of thousands in human trafficking schemes, according to the United Nations. Mr. Rangsiman estimates a staggering 300,000 individuals are trapped in approximately 40 scam compounds in Myawaddy, with fewer than 10,000 rescued to date. This stark disparity highlights the problem’s vast scale and the limited effectiveness of current interventions. He warns that without more comprehensive measures, these criminal enterprises will simply resume operations once the pressure eases.
The issue gained significant attention following the high-profile abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand last month. The incident sparked a social media outcry in China and prompted renewed efforts to combat the criminal networks. Wang Xing was subsequently rescued from the Myawaddy area and returned to China. In a coordinated response, Thai authorities have implemented measures such as cutting off electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to border areas, including Myawaddy. Armed groups have also been involved in extracting people from these scam centers, including victims of human trafficking. Currently, over 7,000 foreigners, predominantly Chinese nationals, await repatriation from Myawaddy, and Thai authorities are collaborating with multiple embassies to facilitate this process.
However, Mr. Rangsiman argues that these actions are insufficient to dismantle the sophisticated criminal infrastructure. He contends that Thai authorities must target the kingpins orchestrating these operations and address the complicity of Thai officials who enabled the expansion of these illicit businesses. He specifically points to Colonel Saw Chit Thu, a Myanmar warlord who controls territories around Myawaddy and is believed to be a central figure in the scam centers' rise on the Thai border. Mr. Rangsiman alleges a significant connection between Saw Chit Thu, who leads the Karen National Army, and Thai officials, suggesting a network of corruption facilitating the operations. Neither Saw Chit Thu nor his militia could be reached for comment.
Following these accusations and increased scrutiny, Thai police transferred several officials from Tak province, which borders Myawaddy. A fact-finding committee has also been appointed to investigate allegations of human trafficking. Mr. Rangsiman emphasizes the problem’s widespread nature, alleging complicity across various levels of the Thai government and security agencies, enabling the dramatic proliferation of these scam compounds. He calls for a concerted effort to eradicate corruption within Thailand, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change to effectively address this complex and pervasive criminal network.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has acknowledged the urgency of the situation and affirmed the government’s commitment to tackling the issue. However, the sheer scale of the problem and the deeply ingrained nature of the criminal networks present a formidable challenge, demanding a multifaceted and sustained response to effectively dismantle these operations and bring the perpetrators to justice. The plight of the thousands trapped within these scam compounds serves as a stark reminder of this illicit industry’s human cost and the imperative for decisive action.
