Southeast Asia has emerged as a focal point for telecom and online fraud, particularly in the border regions of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, these areas have become notorious for scam centres, where hundreds of thousands have been trafficked to work under harsh conditions. In response, a Thai military delegation recently met with Myanmar's second-in-command, Soe Win, in Naypyidaw to discuss strategies for cracking down on human trafficking and dismantling these fraudulent operations.
The issue extends beyond Thailand, involving Myanmar and China as well. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized this by stating, "This issue is not just about Thailand." Public pressure within Thailand has been mounting for authorities to take decisive action against these scam compounds, which exploit workers from around the world, often subjecting them to brutal treatment.
Myanmar state media reported that between October 2023 and January 2025, the junta authorities repatriated over 55,000 foreign nationals, among them more than 53,000 Chinese citizens, from scam compounds. This action aligns with a consensus reached by officials from China, Myanmar, and Thailand during a meeting in Kunming, China, to eradicate telecom fraud centres operating in Myanmar.
In an effort to combat these illegal operations, a coordination centre will be established at the national police headquarters in Bangkok. The Thai police announced that this centre will work collaboratively with Chinese authorities to investigate and dismantle call centre gangs based in Myawaddy, Myanmar, and along the Cambodian border. These criminal networks involve many Chinese and Thai nationals. "This centre (in Bangkok) will work together (with China) to investigate and combat call centre gangs based in Myawaddy, Myanmar, and along the Cambodian border, which involve many Chinese and Thai nationals," the Thai police stated.
Additionally, Chinese authorities plan to establish another coordination centre in Thailand's Mae Sot district, a significant hub for scam call centres located along the border with Myanmar. The Thai police expect the Bangkok coordination centre to commence operations by February 2025.
China's increasing concern over these scam centres was heightened by the abduction and subsequent cross-border rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing from Myanmar. The scam centres primarily aim to defraud individuals through phone and online scams and are often staffed by trafficked workers.
Leave a Reply