Thailand is preparing for a surge of foreign victims released from Myanmar’s notorious call-centre scam networks following a government crackdown, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Wednesday.
His statement came shortly before the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) transferred 261 individuals to Thai authorities for repatriation.
The victims, rescued from the KK Park and Shwe Kokko entertainment complexes, arrived at Phop Phra district in Tak province around 4:30 pm.
Thai officials will screen them before repatriation, coordinating with embassies to verify their status. Authorities expect to find a mix of trafficked individuals and those who joined willingly.
Earlier on Wednesday, Phumtham revealed that Myanmar initially planned to send only 53 foreigners, including Bangladeshis, Ethiopians, Kenyans, and Filipinos, but the number increased to 261.
The Defence Ministry later confirmed the revised figure. The government will conduct background checks, and those uninvolved in scams will be repatriated within a month, while others may face legal action.
Phumtham stressed that Thailand cannot accept all released workers, particularly if their home countries refuse to take them back.
“If their native countries will not accept them, we will not receive them [from Myanmar],” he said, adding that Thailand will not establish refugee camps for those fleeing scam centres.
Several countries have reached out to Thailand for assistance, and Thai embassies are being notified to facilitate the repatriation process.
Additionally, security forces have been deployed along the border to manage the anticipated influx.
Earlier on 6 Feb, authorities in Tak province’s Mae Sot district received 61 individuals who were rescued from a scam compound in Myanmar’s Shwe Kokko complex.
Thailand tightens measures against scam networks
The crackdown follows Thailand’s recent decision to cut power and internet services to five key locations along the Myanmar border, targeting criminal syndicates operating in areas such as Myawaddy and Tachileik.
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) disconnected 20.37 megawatts of electricity, resulting in an estimated annual revenue loss of 600 million baht (approximately US$17 million).
Despite these measures, scam networks have adapted, using privately owned generators to sustain operations.
Local residents, however, have suffered disruptions, particularly in areas like Payathongzu. Reports suggest that generators arrived within two days of the power cut and are now fully operational.
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who oversaw the operation, defended the move, stating that national security takes precedence over economic losses.
“We can no longer be seen as enabling or tolerating illegal activities,” he said.
Defence Minister Phumtham noted that illicit activities at the Shwe Kokko complex have already declined by 40% since the crackdown began.
Rising international pressure and economic considerations
The operation comes amid growing international scrutiny, particularly from China, which has urged Thailand to take stronger action against call-centre scams.
The case of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was allegedly coerced into a scam network, has brought further global attention to the issue.
Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) is monitoring the situation and considering extending similar measures to other regions, including parts of Laos and Cambodia where illegal operations may exist.
Meanwhile, OR (PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc), Thailand’s largest oil trader, has halted fuel deliveries to Myanmar’s border following government orders.
The impact of the crackdown is significant, with an estimated 17,000 call-centre scam victims still trapped in Myanmar. Approximately 10,000 are Chinese nationals, while the rest come from various countries.
In Thailand alone, over 557,000 cases linked to scam operations have been reported, with damages exceeding 86 billion baht (US$2.4 billion).
To further isolate criminal networks, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has cut off internet access to affected areas.
While some reconnections have been attempted, military personnel have been deployed to prevent them.
As Thailand intensifies its efforts, authorities remain vigilant and prepared to expand sanctions should criminal activities persist.
The NSC has indicated that further power and resource suspensions could be implemented to maintain pressure on scam networks operating along the borders.
