South-East Asia

Fighting between Myanmar army and Karen rebels endangers people on both sides of border

New clashes between the Myanmar government and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) have triggered an exodus while endangering nationals on the Thai side, say security officials.

The Naresuan taskforce of the Thai army conducted a helicopter survey of the border with Myanmar in Nong Bua village in tambon Mae U Su of Tak province on Saturday.

The survey was prompted by skirmishes around Myanmar army bases by KNLA forces, which have caused fear in surrounding areas.

Clashes reportedly occurred just 800 metres from Nong Bua, with another flare-up reported from the Kyra Piao Kong base, only 1.5 kilometres from Tha Song Yang district of Tak.

Maj Gen Maitri Chupreecha, commander of the Naresuan taskforce, said these movements have endangered lives and property on both sides of the border, and the military is concerned that incursions into Thailand may occur.

So far, 545 Myanmar nationals have sought to avoid the conflict by crossing into Thailand and have been taken to two temporary safe zones.

Military and border police forces are assisting the refugees and providing humanitarian aid.

The Naresuan taskforce has ordered the provision of food, clothing and necessities to units caring for those seeking shelter and has visited some of those currently in the safe zones.

The latest development comes at a time when Thai security officials in Tak are bracing for an influx of victims freed from scam centres in Myawaddy as the crackdown on crime continues.

In January, healthcare centres serving tens of thousands of refugees on the Thai-Myanmar border were ordered shut after United States President Donald Trump froze most foreign aid, forcing Thai officials to transport the sickest patients to other facilities.

Another gathering planned for Tuesday at Government House to spur cabinet action

Rice farmers from 12 provinces plan another protest outside Government House in Bangkok on Tuesday due to the lack of discussion about price support in the recent cabinet meeting.

Chakrapruet Banjerdkit, a coordinator for the rice farmers’ network in Phichit, said on Saturday that growers from all 12 districts of the northern province would gather in Bangkok, pressuring the government to raise rice prices.

The protest will include other farmers’ groups from 12 provinces in the lower north and upper central regions, with about 400 farmers expected to turn up.

They are calling for government assistance to raise the price of dry season rice to 11,000 baht per tonne, from the current low range of 6,000 to 7,000 baht.

Mr Chakrapruet said the farmers felt compelled to protest after their concerns were overlooked in the cabinet meeting, and upon hearing a proposal from a former Phichit senator that did not include any input from them.

Farmers last gathered at Government House on Feb 19, demanding that the government boost prices, as current market rates do not cover their production costs in many cases.

According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, the country’s rice exports are expected to drop by 33% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year as competition in the world market has intensified.

Detained Thais say they were attracted by high wages and not being held against their will

A total of 119 Thais were among 230 foreigners reported freed from a scam call centre in Poipet, Cambodia, as authorities continue their crackfown on cybercrimes.

The Cambodian National Police General Directorate released a statement after conducting raids on Feb 22 and 23 at two locations in Poipet city in Banteay Meanchey province, according to a Khmer Times article published on Saturday.

Of the 230 individuals found, 123 claimed they were Thai nationals, but only 119 were confirmed to be from Thailand. The others included citizens of Myanmar and Laos.

The 119 Thais — 61 men and 58 women — admitted to entering Cambodia illegally to engage in online crimes, attracted by high wages. They said they were not deceived into joining the organisation and were not being held against their will.

None have sought assistance from the Thai or Cambodian governments.

All of the Thai detainees are set to be repatriated.

The raid followed a three-month investigation into Chinese-operated call centres in Cambodia.

Detained Thais say they’re attracted by high wages and not being held against their will

A total of 119 Thais were among 230 foreigners reported freed from a scam call centre in Poipet, Cambodia, during authorities’ operation against cybercrimes.

The Cambodian National Police General Directorate released a statement after conducting raids on Feb 22 and 23 at two locations in Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province, according to a Khmer Times article published on Saturday.

Of the 230 individuals found, 123 claimed that they were Thai nationals, but only 119 were confirmed to be from Thailand. The others included citizens of Myanmar and Laos.

The 119 Thais — comprising 61 men and58 women — admitted to entering Cambodia illegally to engage in online crimes, attracted by high wages. They said that they were not deceived into joining the organisation and were not being held against their will.

None have sought assistance from the Thai or Cambodian governments.

All Thai detainees are set to be repatriated.

The raid followed a three-month investigation into Chinese-operated call centres in Cambodia.

The government has issued a warning to foreigners who buy condominium units and rent them out as hotels that they are violating Thai law, deputy government spokesman Anukul Prueksanusak said on Friday.

The warning comes after the authorities learned about many cases of Chinese nationals renting out their condominium rooms to tourists via Airbnb.

The move stems from complaints by residents at some condominiums, mainly in the Sukhumvit area, about constant annoyance, including loud noise, cannabis smoking and damage to common property caused by short-term occupants and visitors.

According to their complaints, which were shared online, these short-term occupants were tourists who rented rooms via online platforms. The rooms were owned by Chinese nationals and rented out as Airbnb accommodations.

Keycards to access the condo and the room were provided in lock boxes with digital codes for the tourists, which jeopardised the safety of the residents, according to the complaints.

Some said their condominium juristic offices resolved the problems by prohibiting unit owners from installing public lockboxes within the property. However, the Chinese investors resolved this by installing lockboxes in public areas near the property, including on trees, light poles or street-side food carts.

Mr Anukul said that foreign investors’ acquisition of condominium units and their attempts to offer rooms for daily rentals via Airbnb without legal permits violated the Hotel Act 2004.

Violators will face a fine of up to 20,000 baht plus an additional 10,000 baht fine per day until such activities cease. Most condominium regulations also clearly prohibit daily rentals.

Mr Anukul said the Ministry of Interior also instructed the Department of Provincial Administration to closely monitor the situation and conduct inspection visits to suspicious condos. He said that all violators, whether they are Thai or foreign nationals, will face legal action.

Meanwhile, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), confirmed reports of Chinese investors buying condos in key tourist areas and renting them out daily, causing a disturbance to other residents.

The BMA inspected condos around Sathon, Charoen Rat, Chan and Sukhumvit 42 roads. One lockbox was found at the latter location, prompting the BMA to request the Phra Khanong district office to investigate further.

Mr Aekvarunyoo said condominium juristic offices are required to monitor and report any suspicious behaviour and strictly enforce regulations prohibiting daily rentals.

He said public awareness must be raised about the legal regulations and the negative impact of illegal rentals. The public is also encouraged to alert the authorities to any wrongdoing, he added.

Online rental platforms like Airbnb must also be regulated, he noted.