Power play: Thailand to spark up grey businesses in Myanmar

Thailand may soon provide electricity and Internet access to grey businesses across the border in Myanmar, according to Move Forward Party list-MP Rangsiman Rome. This decision comes after the previous revocation of electricity and water supplies due to an increase in transnational crimes, including call centres.

Rangsiman, who chairs a House committee on state security, expressed concerns that power supplies may have been previously provided to suspected grey businesses in Myanmar, including call centre gangs.

Following a field inspection in Tak’s Mae Sot district, Rangsiman revealed that the Thai government had cut the electricity network between Thailand and Shwe Kokko, a town in Myanmar’s Myawaddy city, which currently relies on electricity generators.

However, he noted that negotiations to reconnect the electricity network are underway.

Rangsiman also highlighted the risk that bad actors, such as call centre gangs in Myanmar, might catch mobile phone signals from Thailand, given that there are around 60 telecommunication towers in the country facing towards Myawaddy.

“We need to discuss the potential risks these towers pose and whether some should be removed.”

The committee plans to address this issue with the National Security Council next Friday and also expects to meet with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Domestic flights

Rangsiman emphasised the importance of discussing the matter with the Provincial Electricity Authority, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, and major telecommunications companies to explore the feasibility of removing certain telecommunication towers.

He additionally raised concerns about domestic flights to and from Mae Sot, which have recently seen an influx of Chinese passengers, speculating that these trips could be linked to illicit businesses, given that the northwest district serves as a gateway to Myawaddy but lacks tourist attractions.

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been actively cracking down on transnational crime operations near the Thai border. On May 14, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke announced that agencies had been instructed to cut cross-border electricity and water supplies.

“The prime minister has ordered a crackdown on cross-border electricity and water supplies to combat transnational crime.”

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission was also directed to cut cross-border telephone signals and adjust antennas to address cybercrime and call centre gangs, reported Bangkok Post.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges Thailand faces in securing its borders and preventing the facilitation of illicit activities through infrastructure and telecommunications networks.

The government’s efforts to address these issues underline the importance of maintaining national security and curbing criminal activities that exploit cross-border connections.