Asia In News

Thailand to Cut Power Supply to Myanmar Border Areas Tied to Scam Operations

Published On Tue, 04 Feb 2025
Sanya Mehta
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Thailand has announced plans to cut electricity supply to certain border areas with Myanmar in an effort to crack down on scam centers, the government said on Tuesday (Feb 4). The move comes amid increasing pressure on illegal compounds that have trapped thousands of people from multiple countries.
According to the United Nations, criminal syndicates have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people across Southeast Asia, forcing them to work in online scam operations, many of which are based along the Thai-Myanmar border. A 2023 UN report estimated that these rapidly growing scams generate billions of dollars annually.
"We must take action to cut off the electricity immediately," said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, adding that authorities would direct the Provincial Electricity Authority to carry out the power cuts. The issue gained renewed attention after Chinese actor Wang Xing was abducted upon arriving in Thailand last month. He was later rescued by Thai police, who found him in Myanmar.
Concerned about the impact on tourism, particularly among Chinese visitors, Thailand is working to reassure travelers about safety. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said discussions with the National Security Council were scheduled for Tuesday to finalize measures against the scam compounds, including power cuts.
"What happened has had a huge impact on many Thai people and the country's image," she said, adding that if the decision was clear, power could be cut as early as today. Thai authorities have identified Myanmar’s Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Payathonzu as key areas where transnational crime syndicates operate and are likely to be affected by the electricity cuts.
Myanmar's state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported last month that the country does not provide power or internet to these scam centers, implying that foreign entities, including Thailand, are responsible for their infrastructure. Since October 2023, Myanmar’s military government claims to have repatriated more than 55,000 foreign nationals—mostly Chinese—who had been forced to work in these scam operations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.