Tyler Cross
Published on: February 7, 2025
Thailand’s government killed power and internet connection for some areas near the Myanmar border, citing a law that allows them to cut power to regions to uphold national security.
These areas host scam compounds surrounded by armed guards. The owners of these compounds either coerced or forced citizens to engage in romance and fake engagement scams while earning billions each year off of their crimes. Some of these workers are held against their will, making it akin to a modern-day slavery ring.
Recently, a Chinese national went missing near the Myanmar border in a region where these scam rings are common. After being found, he reported to the Thai authorities that he was promised a job with a legitimate large Thai entertainment company. When he arrived, he was kidnapped and forced to work in a compound targetting Chinese citizens.
In response, Thailand is cutting power, internet, and supplies to five towns in Myanmar along the Thai border.
According to Irrawaddy, the junta-allied Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) in Myanmar, Myawaddy Township, also reported that it is cracking down on its scam rings and has been actively tackling scams, human trafficking, torture, drug, and child labor crime rings. However, in May 2024, the activist group, Justice for Myanmar, revealed that the BGF was involved with several scam rings.
While the BGF has denied any involvement with any gangs, Thailand cut power to the Myawaddy Township.
“The BGF is only the landowner leasing the land and is not involved as a joint-venture investor,” the group states in its defense. They have pledged to work alongside the authorities to catch the scammers working out of their properties.
According to a Myawaddy resident, cutting the power “won’t scare them much.” She explained that many of these compounds have their own solar panels, generators, and Starlink internet access, adding that it’s not Thailand that supplies them with power.
Additionally, there’s no telling how much damage is being caused to the civilians of the region, which is now without power or internet access despite being uninvolved.
The situation is extremely complex. The Thai government’s decision to cut power sends a clear signal to these scam rings. Still, it has the potential to be ineffective and damaging to the residents of the affected border towns.
