THAILAND is taking aim at call centre scammers ensconced along the border in Myanmar by cutting off electricity, Internet and fuel delivery to five areas from 9 a.m. tomorrow morning (Feb. 5), TV Channel 7 and Amarin TV said this evening.
Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai called an urgent meeting of the National Security Council, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the council’s Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad, Interior Permanent Secretary Arsit Sampantharat and Provincial Electricity Authority Deputy Governor for Business and Marketing Prasit Chanprasit to discuss cutting electricity supply to neighbouring countries as it is being used by call center gangs and transnational criminals.
After the almost two-hour meeting Phumtham said these scam centres are affecting the security of Thai people with there being over 557,500 cases and damage soared to 86 billion baht or an average loss of over 80 million baht a day.
The Thai government has informed Myanmar of this action and while ordinary people in Myanmar would be affected it is their government’s responsibility to take care of them as Thailand must look after its own citizens, he said.
Thailand will not interfere with what Myanmar will do from now on as it is their internal affair, he said, adding this action is consistent with sealing the border at all 51 districts.
The five targeted points are as follows:
1) Three Pagodas Pass, Payathonzu;
2) Ban Muang Daeng, Tachilek;
3) First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, Tachilek;
4) Second Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge, Myawaddy;
5) Ban Huai Muang , Myawaddy.
Asked whether Myanmar might retaliate by cutting gas supply to Thailand, Phumtham said a discussion has been held with Myanmar authorities about this issue and they understand that Thailand must take action as this is not just a Thai problem but an international one.
Questioned whether electricity supply to Cambodia would also be cut off, Phumtham said today’s meeting only initially focused on Myanmar.
He added that the authorities would arrest those who surreptitiously reconnect power supply.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and a scam and casino centre in Myawaddy. Photo: Amarin TV
Front Page: Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai talking to the press this evening, Feb. 4, 2024. Photo: Amarin TV
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