Thailand Cuts Power Supply to Myanmar in Blow to Scam Centers

(Bloomberg) -- Thailand cut off electricity, internet access and fuel supplies to some areas in Myanmar suspected to house cyber scam operations, widening a crackdown after a high-profile trafficking of a Chinese actor put the spotlight on criminal activities across the Thai borders. 

Power supply to five areas in Myanmar including Myawaddy and Tachileik was halted from 9 a.m. Wednesday after the National Security Council endorsed the plan a day earlier. The move was to protect Thai people from the call center gangs, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said. 

The Thai response against the scam centers came hours before Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to China where she’s expected to discuss with President Xi Jinping joint efforts in clamping down against transnational crime syndicates operating near Thai borders. She will also ask Xi’s help in reassuring tourists that it’s safe to travel to Thailand amid concerns that some travelers are cancelling trips.

Across Southeast Asia, the billion-dollar cyber scam operations have been expanding, particularly in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Often run by Chinese fugitives who fled their home nation in 2020 following a domestic crackdown, they have taken cover in areas of Myanmar where the military regime is losing control over territories to rebels.

The area where Chinese actor Wang Xing was abducted is notorious for being a lawless hub of criminal activity, specializing in drug trafficking, casinos and scam centers. The previously little-known actor’s rescue sparked calls for help with other cases of missing persons with Thailand and China discussing joint initiatives against scammers and their recruiters. 

Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters on Tuesday that he doesn’t expect Myanmar to retaliate by cutting gas supply as the military government understands the scam operations are not a Thailand specific issue but affects the international community. Thailand’s state-owned oil and gas company PTT Exploration and Production Pcl has operations in Myanmar that meet about 15% of the country’s natural gas demand a year.

Thailand has moved to step up the security of foreign tourists and mounted an awareness campaign to protect people from falling victims to scammers. Last week, the cabinet approved new legal measures to require banks, telecom operators and social media platforms to be proactive in preventing online scams and be jointly responsible for financial losses suffered by the victims. The stricter rules will be effective after an amended royal decree, expected to be published sometime this month. 

(Recasts with power supply cut confirmation.)

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