Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra campaigned for PAO (Provincial Administrative Organization) chairman candidate Phichai Leporn Adisorn in San Patong District, Chiang Mai Province.
Thaksin attended the campaign event for the second consecutive day, attracting over 5000 supporters. He was dressed in a green short-sleeved shirt paired with jeans and sunglasses, exuding confidence.
In his speech, Thaksin strongly stated that he would take action against neighboring countries' telecommunication fraud groups and illegal "nominee accounts." He noted that these criminal groups are mainly based in Cambodia and Myanmar, and promised to personally intervene if these countries fail to manage the issue effectively.
"Recently, many people have reported severe issues with telephone scams, with many victims. I have asked the Cambodian government to take action, as these groups are headquartered on the second floor of a 25-story building in Poipet, colluding with casinos and using Thai people to register fake accounts," said Thaksin. "If Cambodia cannot resolve this thoroughly, I will send people to directly handle it.
Similarly, in Myawaddy, Myanmar, I have contacted the Karen National Union and the Myanmar government, urging them to deal with the telephone scam groups there. If they have limited resources, I will send people to eradicate them."
Thaksin stated that he plans to completely eliminate these criminal groups by 2025, while also pushing for the legalization of the underground economy to fundamentally improve people's livelihoods. He emphasized, "Next year, these scam groups will definitely be eradicated, and the happiness of the people will significantly increase."
This speech not only highlighted Thaksin's concern about telecommunication fraud but also sparked high expectations for cooperation between Thailand and its neighbors in combating cross-border crime. Analysts pointed out that Thaksin's firm stance could inject new momentum into regional governance.
