266 Thais rescued from Myanmar conflict zone, most charged for call centre scam

The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry rescued 266 Thai nationals trapped in the Myanmar conflict zone. Most of them will be charged with running a call centre scam upon their arrival in Thailand.

Thai PBS reported that the Chinese authorities announced an operation to get rid of illegal businesses run by Chinese nationals in Laukkaing District, Shan State, Myanmar. To avoid the dangers of the clash between Chinese officials and Chinese businessmen, some Thais working in the area decided to flee their workplaces.

One Thai woman said that they packed their belongings and sneaked out of their workplace. They managed to escape and were later taken into custody by Burmese soldiers, arriving in Thailand on November 18.

As more Thai nationals remained in the conflict area, the Thai authorities coordinated with Burmese officials to evacuate 266 Thai nationals from the Laukkaing township. The Thais were transferred to a safe area in China at 10.30am yesterday, November 19, to await flights back to Thailand.

According to officials, all the Thais worked for call centre scam gangs run by Chinese nationals in Myanmar. They were divided into two groups, including suspects and victims. Officers reported that 70% of the Thais were willing to work for the fraud gangs, while another 30% were lured into working for the illegal operation.

Officers added that most of the Thais had been rescued once as victims of the scam gangs but had returned to Myanmar to work for the gangs again.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged for two Air Asia and Lion Air planes to retrieve the stranded Thais from China. Upon their arrival in Thailand, Royal Thai Police officers made known their intention to question each individual to distinguish victims from those coerced into participating in the call centre scam gang, as well as those willingly involved.

Those found culpable among the Thais would be subject to imprisonment ranging from four to 15 years, a fine ranging from 80,000 to 300,000 baht, or both, under the violation of Section 25 of the Criminal Law, about involvement in a transitional criminal organisation.

Additionally, they could face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both, for breaching Sections 341 and 343 of the Criminal Law by engaging in fraud that caused harm to the public.