Call centre scams stay lit while Burmese locals suffer Thai power cut
Innocent Burmese nationals, affected by Thailand’s measures to combat call centre scams, visited petrol stations to stock up, causing the price to rise.
As part of a solution to tackle the call centre scam issue, the Thai government cut off power in five key areas of Myanmar, which were believed to be the headquarters of the scam gangs. In addition to electricity, Thailand also halted petrol deliveries and Internet connections in these areas from 9am yesterday, February 5, onwards.
Following the power cut, electricity usage in Tachileik remained unchanged. All buildings believed to be operated by call centre scam gangs were lit up as usual.
Channel 3 reported that electricity usage in Shwe Kokko in Myawaddy decreased by 40%, and several casinos in the town switched to power generated from electricity generators.
Many Thai netizens took to social media to report that they were still receiving messages and calls from scammers. Some even asked the scammers whether the power cut had affected them.
All suspected scam bases appeared to be well prepared, as they continued operating as usual using generators and power from Laos. Meanwhile, innocent locals in the affected areas seemed to be the most impacted by the power cut.
Generators and solar panels needed
A Burmese TikToker, @songwut367, shared a video yesterday, February 5, showing a large crowd of people at a petrol station.
The TikToker explained that locals were rushing to buy petrol supplies, bringing their vehicles and purchasing extra gallons to stock up.
Amarin TV reported that the surge in demand led to a price hike. In some petrol stations, the price rose from 50 baht per litre to 100 baht per litre.
Aside from stocking up on petrol, Burmese residents purchased more electric generators and installed solar panel systems at their homes to ensure a stable power supply for their families.
It is understood that electricity in the five affected areas, particularly in Tachileik, will be fully restored at 7pm today, with power supplied from Laos.
Following the power cut, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) expressed concerns over diplomatic relations between the two countries and the possibility of legal action, as the decision to cut power was made urgently.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed these concerns, stating that Thailand had the right to halt electricity supplies that were being misused and posed a threat to Thailand’s security.
@songwut367 ลำบากลำบนจริงๆท่าขี้เหล็กเรา #ท่าขี้เหล็ก #fyp #tik
@songwut367
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