Bangkok: In an effort to stop scams, Thailand’s government announced on Tuesday ( Feb 4 ) that it would suspend electricity supply to some border areas in an effort to stop the spread of illegal compounds, which have resulted in the enslavement of a sizable population of people of various nationalities.
According to the UN, hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked by legal groups and forced to work in shady online businesses in Southeast Asia, including along the Thai-Myanmar borders. A 2023 UN record estimated the fast-growing activities generate billions of dollars annually.
According to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, regulators will guide the Provincial Electricity Authority, which provides electricity to these areas, to immediately reduce off the power.
After Chinese professional Wang Xing was abducted after arriving in Thailand next month, the hoax materials have come under renewed scrutiny. He was afterwards found in Myanmar by Thai authorities, who eventually freed him.
Thailand has sought to calm concerns about the effect of its important tourism industry by addressing visitor safety concerns from China, a major source market.  ,  ,  ,  ,
Discussions with the National Security Council on different steps, including stopping the power source, were scheduled to be held on Tuesday, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
She said,” What happened has had a huge impact on some Thai citizens and the picture of the nation.”  ,
Asked when authority may be cut off, she said:” Now, if we talk and it’s clear, then we can do it today”.
The safety council’s main on Monday said evidence showed international crime syndicates operating in Myanmar’s Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Payathonzu- outlining areas that the power supply cuts properly targeted.
Myanmar’s state-run Global New Light of Myanmar in a unique article on fraud centres last month said standard essentials, including strength and internet, are not provided by Myanmar but by different countries, in a veiled reference to Thailand.
It said “foreign companies” were investing in this system.  ,  ,
Myanmar’s defense government has since October 2023 repatriated more than 55, 000 immigrants, largely Chinese, who were forced to work in con materials to their home countries, the paper said.