Thailand cuts power to Myanmar border areas to tackle call centre scam
In a dramatic crackdown, Thailand cut off the power, Internet, and petrol supplies to five border areas of Myanmar suspected of harbouring call centre scam operations. The bold move, effective from 9am today, February 5, aims to dismantle what officials believe are the headquarters for a notorious scam gang operating along the Thai border with Myanmar.
An MP from the People’s Party, Rangsiman Rome, took to Facebook on Monday, February 3 to call on relevant government officials to consider cutting off power to certain areas in Myanmar that were using electricity bought from Thailand, to combat call centre scams.
The MP urged the government to cut off electricity primarily in three areas of Myanmar: Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Payathonzu. He urged the government to take decisive action to prevent Thai citizens from falling victim to call centre scams.
Rangsiman also questioned whether any high-profile politicians or influential figures received benefits from the call centre scam gangs, making the issue difficult or even impossible to resolve.
Several members of the coalition government stepped forward to address the matter but shifted responsibility for the power cuts between different departments.
Yesterday, February 4, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced a swift plan for the power cuts, stating that he had ordered the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), which manages power in the area, to take immediate action.
Impact innocent, not scammer
In an interview with Nation TV today, Phumtham confirmed that the power cut had already been implemented from 9am in five areas identified as hubs for call centre scams, human trafficking, and drug-related activities. Thailand not only cut off electricity but also Internet connections and petrol deliveries. The five affected areas are:
- The border between Kanchanaburi province of Thailand and Payathonzu town in Myanmar
- The border between Chiang Rai province of Thailand and Tachileik town in Myanmar
- The area near the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Chiang Rai province and Tachileik town in Myanmar
- The area near the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Chiang Rai province and Myawaddy town in Myanmar
- The border between Ratchaburi province of Thailand and Myawaddy town in Myanmar
The deputy PM stated that the power cut was only a short-term solution, as the government still had many steps to take to fully address the scam issue, which is considered a security threat to both Thailand and other countries.
According to a report in DailyNews, Tachileik is expected to be the most affected, as the town’s main power supply comes from Thailand.
However, some parts of the town use electricity from Laos, which is expected to adjust its power transmission to Tachileik following Thailand’s power cut. This could leave the area without electricity for three to five days.
A famous Thai woman reported Myanmar-related news to express her opinion on her Facebook page, Natty Loves Myanmar, that the Tachileik call centre scam gang may not be affected by the blackout because they were already prepared for a situation like this, adding that only innocent locals in the area would be affected.
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