12th February 2025 – (Bangkok) A utilities cutoff on the Myanmar border led to the release of more than 100 employees by scam syndicates back to Thailand. The action, deemed effective, occurred in Tachilek, a city adjacent to Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, as per sources.
Last Wednesday, the Thai National Security Council issued orders to halt power supply, internet connectivity, and fuel exports to five Myanmar border regions, aiming to disrupt illicit call-centre operations in the area. Law enforcement officials in Tachilek conducted a series of raids on gambling establishments from Thursday to Saturday, resulting in the arrest of several individuals linked to these operations.
Moreover, a significant number of individuals allegedly associated with gambling websites and online scams, who had established bases near Tachilek, have been apprehended by authorities.
The cessation of utilities prompted gambling website operators and scammers in Tachilek to release over 100 employees back to Mae Sai district in Thailand, according to sources. As Myanmar authorities intensify efforts to crack down on such activities, it is anticipated that the scammers will seek alternative locations.
Furthermore, the number of vehicles belonging to employees engaged in online scams, parked at the first Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge for commuting to Tachilek, has markedly decreased.
Sources suggest that periodic provision of electricity and fuel in Tachilek benefits local residents, although nearby villages are grappling with fuel shortages and escalating fuel prices.