Major Naimengzuo, spokesperson for the Border Guard Force (BGF) of Kachin State, recently told the media that Myanmar is ready to work closely with ASEAN countries and the international community to combat cybercrime activities in the Myawaddy area along the Thai-Myanmar border.
In response to the frequent occurrences of online gambling, human trafficking, and forced labor issues, he emphasized that the border forces will take active measures to support transnational law enforcement actions.
In recent years, the Myawaddy area has become a hotbed for various cross-border criminal activities. According to reports, some Chinese entrepreneurs have used entertainment facilities as a cover to engage in illegal online gambling and recruit teenagers to participate in criminal activities. Some teenagers from Myanmar and neighboring countries, lured by money, are not only forced to participate in online gambling but are also compelled to engage in online dating scams and prostitution.
Earlier this month, the case of a Chinese actor trafficked to a prostitution ring in Myawaddy through Thailand drew widespread international attention. Additionally, there are reports that hundreds of Chinese citizens have gone missing in Thailand, and their families have sought help from the Thai government.
On January 16, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at a China-ASEAN diplomats meeting held in Beijing, stated that China will work closely with ASEAN countries to crack down on cybercrime and human trafficking activities in the Thai-Myanmar border area. Wang Yi said, "In response to the criminal activities in the Thai-Myanmar border area, we will take decisive and responsible measures to ensure the effectiveness of the crackdown."
Major Naimengzuo provided details about the rescue operation of the Chinese actor. He stated that the incident occurred in the suburbs of Myawaddy, not in the rumored Ruikuk Kole area. He revealed that after receiving a request from the Thai side, relevant agencies quickly launched an investigation, successfully rescued the victim, and repatriated them to Thailand.
Addressing external doubts about the border forces' involvement in criminal activities in Myawaddy, Major Naimengzuo explicitly denied such involvement. He stated that the border forces did not directly participate in the activities, only renting land to Chinese businessmen. However, he acknowledged that senior officials are discussing how to address the public's distress caused by these criminal activities and promised to work with the international community to combat illegal activities.
In an emergency meeting, the Border Guard Force met with leaders of the Border Guard Defense Force of Bangladesh and the Democratic Buddhist Army of Myanmar, and also convened Chinese businessmen investing and working in the Myawaddy area, reiterating the prohibition of human trafficking, online prostitution, and forced labor. The meeting also warned that recruiting minors to participate in illegal activities would lead to business closures and the expulsion of those involved.
Major Naimengzuo emphasized that the Myanmar government and border forces have formulated clear measures to strictly prohibit any form of criminal activity and expressed willingness to cooperate with the international community's crackdown efforts to ensure order and security in the Myawaddy area.
Finally, Major Naimengzuo called on the international community to further strengthen intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation, especially in combating cross-border human trafficking and cybercrime. He stated, "The situation in Myawaddy not only requires regional collaborative efforts but also global attention and support."
As international attention to the Thai-Myanmar border issues continues to escalate, how to effectively address the criminal activities in the Myawaddy area will become a key direction for future law enforcement cooperation.
