Thailand to Cut Power to Myanmar Scam Hubs

Thailand will cut electricity, oil supplies, and internet services to five locations in Myanmar at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, citing security concerns over suspected Chinese-operated call center scams. The sites, located in Payathonzu, Tachileik, and Myawaddy townships along the border, have been linked to fraudulent operations targeting victims in Thailand, China, and other countries. Authorities estimate that these scams have cost Thailand alone over 80 million baht per day, amounting to 86 billion baht in total. The move was decided during an urgent meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Phumtham Wechayachai. The meeting included Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, National Security Council Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad, Interior Permanent Secretary Orasit Samphantharat, and Deputy Governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Prasit Chanprasit. Phumtham stressed that national security concerns outweigh economic interests, warning that government ... Read full article.