Myanmar's military government has taken significant steps to combat illegal activities by repatriating over 55,000 foreigners, predominantly Chinese nationals, who were coerced into working in scam compounds since October 2023. These scam centers, entrenched in Myanmar's lawless borderlands and orchestrated by criminal gangs, have become a focal point of concern for several Southeast Asian nations. The issue has escalated with hundreds of thousands trafficked and forced into scam operations across the region, notably along the Thai-Myanmar border. These centers generate billions annually, as reported by the United Nations in 2023.
In a decisive move to curb these operations, Thailand halted cross-border electricity supplies to five key locations in Myanmar on February 5, 2024. The affected areas include Mae Sai in the north, Mae Sot in the west, and Three Pagodas Pass. The cross-border electricity sales previously earned Thailand around 50 million baht (US$1.5 million) monthly. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized that the scam centers pose a "national security issue," adding urgency to the crackdown.
"Thailand has stopped the electricity supply to Myanmar in five locations based on the decision of the National Security Council," said Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Interior Minister.
This action arrives amid concerns over a decline in Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday, attributed to fears stemming from the scam centers. The abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing after his arrival in Thailand further underscored the risks faced by visitors and highlighted the urgency of addressing these issues.
"What happened has had a huge impact on many Thai people and the image of the country," stated Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Thailand is keenly focused on revitalizing its tourism sector, which suffered greatly due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. China remains a pivotal market for Thai tourism, making it imperative for Thailand to restore confidence among Chinese travelers. Prime Minister Shinawatra's recent visit to Beijing for discussions with President Xi Jinping reflects the importance of this issue on the diplomatic agenda.
"The electricity supply is not being stopped because the companies violated the contract, but because the electricity is being misused for scams, drugs and call centres," Anutin explained.
Myanmar's state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported that essential services such as power and internet are not locally provided but sourced from neighboring countries. This reliance on external resources underscores the complexity of dismantling these illicit networks.
"No one can accuse Thailand now of being part of supporting illegal businesses," Anutin affirmed.
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