To curb the rampant scam groups along the Myanmar border, the Thai government has announced measures to cut off electricity, planning to reduce the power supply to the areas where criminal groups in Myanmar are active. This decision was made after the Prime Minister discussed strategies with Xi Jinping in China, aiming to combat transnational crime, especially scams targeting Chinese citizens.
Chatchai Bangchuad, Secretary-General of the National Security Council, stated that authorities need to conduct a comprehensive study, including joint inspections by Myanmar and Thai officials in areas suspected of being involved in scams. This discussion was initiated at China's request, asking Thailand to stop providing resources to scam gangs in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar.
Chatchai revealed that there is evidence that transnational criminal organizations, including call center scams, are active in the Mae Sai, Myawaddy, and Phaya Tong Su areas. Myawaddy borders Tak Province of Thailand, and Phaya Tong Su is adjacent to Kanchanaburi Province.
He added that there is a certain connection between the phone scam gangs and casino operators, which may be related to the power supply.
Chatchai mentioned that despite the abnormal increase in demand for electricity, Thai authorities have rejected the applications because the applicants failed to disclose the specific purpose of electricity usage.
He also mentioned that the Thai government and PEA have cut off the electricity supply to the Shwe Kokko and KK Park facilities in the Myawaddy area, but these facilities are still operating, possibly continuing to be powered by fuel generators. In some cases, users have found alternative power sources after the power outage.
Chatchai emphasized that any decision on power outages must be based on the electricity supply contracts signed by PEA with the relevant parties, and consider the impact this action may have on the people of neighboring countries.
Prasit Junprasit, Vice President of PEA, stated that PEA will assess the relevant information in the shortest possible time and investigate the suspicious areas so that the relevant departments can make decisions on whether to cut off the power supply. However, Prasit noted that since the power supply has been approved by the cabinet, cutting off the power supply requires the consent of the cabinet, unless the relevant contracts expire, which generally last for five years.
