Thailand Cracks Down on Myanmar Border Scams Amidst Local Outcry
Thailand’s government remains resolute in its decision to impose sanctions on Myanmar border towns, despite protests from affected residents. These sanctions, which include cutting off electricity, fuel, and internet access, target areas believed to harbor Chinese-run scam operations that have ensnared both Thai and Chinese citizens. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized on Monday that the government’s priority is protecting its citizens from these criminal enterprises.
Mr. Wechayachai acknowledged protests within Myanmar against the sanctions but dismissed their potential impact on the government’s stance. He argued that protesters, while entitled to voice their concerns, are ultimately reliant on Thai goods and services. This dependence, he suggested, weakens any boycott efforts. «They should think carefully, because they depend on consumer goods from Thailand,» the Deputy Prime Minister stated. «Without that food, they would have to take care of themselves.» He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling the scam issue decisively, saying, «We stand firm on these measures. Our focus is on the problem facing Thailand.»
The affected communities—Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Payathonzu—have been plunged into darkness by the power cuts. However, reports indicate that the criminal operations, powered by private generators, continue unabated. This disparity highlights the situation’s complexity and the challenges in effectively targeting illicit activities while minimizing the impact on ordinary citizens. To further tighten the screws, Thai authorities are also cracking down on the smuggling of fuel and solar panels across the border, aiming to deprive the scam centers of necessary resources.
The impetus for this decisive action, after years of relative inaction, appears to be a recent high-level visit by a Chinese Assistant Minister of Public Security. This visit, focused on the burgeoning criminal activities along the border, likely pressured the Thai government to address the issue. The scam centers, operating with near impunity, have lured individuals into forced labor, effectively trapping them in a form of modern slavery.
To gain firsthand understanding, Mr. Wechayachai will visit Payathonzu on February 12th and Poipet, Cambodia, on February 16th. Poipet, like the targeted Myanmar towns, has become a hub for similar criminal activities, highlighting the problem’s transnational nature. The recent death of a Thai national in Poipet, reportedly falling from a building housing a scam operation, further underscores the dangerous conditions and underlines the situation’s urgency. Following these visits, the Deputy Prime Minister will assess the sanctions' effectiveness and determine whether further action, including similar measures against other border areas, is warranted.
The government’s robust response suggests a renewed commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting its citizens. The upcoming visits and potential expansion of the sanctions indicate that the crackdown is far from over.
