A recent crackdown on online scam operations has resulted in over 7,000 individuals from various countries being held in a border town in Myanmar, awaiting repatriation. The scale of the operation is putting significant strain on Thailand’s resources, as the country borders Myanmar, leading to delays in the repatriation process.
This action, which involves cooperation between Thailand, Myanmar, and China, follows a visit by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Beijing earlier this month. During the visit, she informed Chinese President Xi Jinping that Thailand would take strong measures against the scam networks that have exploited hundreds of thousands of people.
These scams often lure individuals with false promises of jobs, only to trap them in centers located in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Once there, the victims are forced to participate in fraudulent activities such as fake romance schemes, bogus investment offers, and illegal gambling operations, leading to severe financial exploitation. Many of the victims find themselves trapped in conditions akin to virtual slavery.
Officials from Thailand, Myanmar, and China are scheduled to meet next week to discuss the logistics of the ongoing crackdown, with growing concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis. Their goal is to create clear guidelines for the repatriation process to prevent confusion, according to Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Thanathip Sawangsang.
As part of its crackdown, Thailand has cut off electricity, internet, and gas supplies to several areas in Myanmar along the border that host scam centers, citing national security concerns.
Amy Miller, the Southeast Asia director for the aid group Acts of Mercy International, based in Thailand’s Mae Sot near the Myanmar border, stated that she has never witnessed such a large-scale release of potential human trafficking victims. She acknowledged that while Thai authorities are doing their best, the task at hand is immense.
She emphasized that the effort to move, process, shelter, and feed these individuals would be overwhelming for most governments. Miller stressed that it is crucial for the embassies and home countries of the victims to take responsibility for their citizens and called for a coordinated global response.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, acknowledged the growing concerns on Tuesday and stated that relevant agencies were doing everything they could to coordinate the repatriations as quickly as possible.
Phumtham expressed worry that if the process wasn’t expedited, it could become a problem, especially if Myanmar authorities are unable to manage the situation and are forced to release the individuals.
One of the challenges in the repatriation efforts is verifying the identities of the individuals, which has complicated and delayed the process, according to a diplomatic source familiar with the matter. Due to the large number of people involved, over half of the 7,000 waiting are Chinese, with the remaining individuals from various countries.
Last week, more than 600 Chinese nationals were repatriated in a four-day operation, with Thailand allowing China to manage most of the processing. China arranged 16 chartered flights for this purpose.
Earlier this month, around 260 people from 20 different countries, including Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines, were transferred from Myanmar to Thai custody as part of the crackdown. Over 100 of them remain in Thailand awaiting repatriation.
Many of the trafficking victims were brought to Myanmar through Mae Sot, which has now become a hub for repatriation efforts.
Along the road to Mae Sot, checkpoints have been set up with signs in Thai, English, and Chinese, warning both locals and foreigners about the risks of being trafficked to work along the Myanmar border. On Wednesday, soldiers were seen inspecting vehicles and checking identification.