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Thailand’s crackdown on cyber scams near the Myanmar-Thai border rescues thousands, but systemic gaps and armed group complicity threaten long-term success
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Nearly 7,000 men and women trapped in cyber scam centers operating near the Myanmar-Thai border have been rescued, drawing significant global attention. These individuals, hailing from 29 countries, were forced into fraudulent schemes under exploitative and often brutal conditions. Among those rescued, over 4,860 were Chinese nationals, 572 Vietnamese, 549 Indians, and 500 individuals from African nations. While some have been successfully repatriated, many remain stranded, awaiting intervention from their respective governments.
Efforts to bring them home are underway. The Chinese authorities charted 16 flights to repatriate the rescued people in February and March 2025. The Indian Embassy in Thailand, coordinating with its counterpart in Myanmar and local authorities, facilitated the return of 549 Indian nationals on 10–11 March via two special flights. Similarly, Indonesia repatriated 554 of its citizens from Thailand on 18–19 March, following an earlier operation in February that saw 140 Indonesians return home. However, hundreds of rescued victims remain stranded, uncertain of when or if they will be able to return to their countries.
Financial constraints have made it difficult for African governments to arrange repatriation, forcing them to rely on external funding sources.
The process has certainly been slow and fraught with challenges. African countries like Ethiopia, which lack an embassy in Bangkok, face logistical hurdles in securing the return of their citizens. Additionally, financial constraints have made it difficult for African governments to arrange repatriation, forcing them to rely on external funding sources. Meanwhile, the fear looms that those still in Myanmar's holding centres—where space and hygiene conditions are dire—could be forced back into scam operations. Concerns are growing that, unless swift action is taken, Myanmar’s Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA)—an armed group affiliated with the military junta, which handed these people over and is holding them for now before Thai authorities send them to their respective nations—may once again hand them over to traffickers.
The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), one of the armed groups controlling parts of the Karen State, which borders Thailand in Myanmar, was formerly part of the Karen National Union (KNU). Reports indicate that such groups have long been complicit in the operations of these scam centres, profiting from them while turning a blind eye to the inhumane treatment of trafficked workers. Under international pressure, however, some of these groups have been forced to cooperate, albeit reluctantly.
Colonel Saw Chit Thu, who is mainly responsible for orchestrating scam centres at Shwe Kokko and his juniors, Lieutenant Colonel Mote Thone and Major Tin Win, are among those facing legal action.
Thai authorities, particularly the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), have intensified their crackdown on these illicit operations. Arrest warrants were sought in February 2025 for key figures within the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), also known as the Karen National Army (KNA), who are believed to be deeply involved in transnational human trafficking. Colonel Saw Chit Thu, who is mainly responsible for orchestrating scam centres at Shwe Kokko and his juniors, Lieutenant Colonel Mote Thone and Major Tin Win, are among those facing legal action. At the same time, these measures have resulted in the rescue of thousands; an estimated 300,000 individuals are still trapped in the vast and hidden network of cyber scam operations across the region.
Thailand plays a complex role in spreading and containing scam centres across Southeast Asia. As a key regional economic hub with advanced digital infrastructure and strong cross-border connectivity, the country has become deeply entangled in cybercriminal operations, even if it is not a primary hotspot like Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos. Its geographical proximity, well-developed banking system, and sizeable migrant labour movement make it a critical transit point for these illicit networks.
As a key regional economic hub with advanced digital infrastructure and strong cross-border connectivity, the country has become deeply entangled in cybercriminal operations, even if it is not a primary hotspot like Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos.
In recent months, Thai authorities have taken decisive action, particularly in the lead-up to and following Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s visit to Beijing in early February. Before her first official trip to China since taking office, she reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to shutting down cyber scam centres operating along the Thai-Myanmar-China border. On 5 February, Thai authorities cut off electricity and telecommunications to five key scam hubs across the Myanmar border. Additionally, they restricted the cross-border export of 11 critical items, including fuel, mobile phones, batteries, inverters, generators, solar panels, cables, software, hardware, and engine oil. Furthermore, arrest warrants were issued, resulting in significant enforcement action against key players in these networks.
This crackdown appears to be partially driven by concerns over the decline in Chinese tourism following the highly publicised abduction of Chinese actor Wang and several crew members in Bangkok in January 2025. The victims had been lured under the guise of a fake acting opportunity and were later trafficked to Myawaddy. Although Thai authorities successfully rescued Wang, the incident triggered widespread security concerns, leading to over a thousand trip cancellations from Chinese tourists. Given that Chinese nationals formed the largest group of foreign visitors to Thailand in 2024, exceeding 6.2 million, the Thai government is now under pressure to reassure Beijing and restore confidence in its safety, an essential pillar of its post-COVID economic recovery.
However, analysts caution that this incident could give China additional leverage over Thailand, potentially leading to increased foreign intervention in domestic law enforcement. Beijing has renewed its calls for establishing a Joint Law Enforcement Centre and greater involvement of Chinese police in tackling scam syndicates along the Myanmar–Thailand border in coordination with Myanmar. While Thai authorities have so far resisted allowing Chinese security forces to operate on Thai soil, economic pressures may make it difficult to resist Beijing’s demands.
Financial watchdogs like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) monitor money laundering activities associated with cybercrime, prompting Thailand to enhance its financial tracking mechanisms to disrupt illicit money flows.
Beyond China, international agencies such as the United Nations, INTERPOL, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also played a crucial role in pressuring Thailand to strengthen its cybersecurity framework. The 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok on 16-17 January 2025 underscored cybersecurity’s role in a resilient digital future, reinforcing the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 as a framework for collaboration, trust, and safe technology use. Western countries, including the United States (US) and European nations, have raised concerns about the impact of online scams targeting their citizens, pushing Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries to act. Financial watchdogs like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) monitor money laundering activities associated with cybercrime, prompting Thailand to enhance its financial tracking mechanisms to disrupt illicit money flows.
In February 2025, Thailand strengthened its legal framework with the Emergency Decree on Technological Crimes, imposing stricter penalties and holding financial institutions, telecom providers, and social media platforms accountable for enabling scams. The government has also promoted digital literacy to help citizens recognise and avoid online fraud.
Beyond legal measures, economic vulnerabilities and migration policies must also be addressed, as many of these scams rely on trafficked or financially desperate individuals. Thailand is set to reduce its visa-free period to one month, which could help curb prolonged stays by those involved in such operations. However, distinguishing criminals from victims remains a challenge, as many of those rescued initially entered these networks voluntarily before being coerced into illegal activities through threats and violence.
Criminal networks are highly adaptive, and without systemic reforms, they may resurface in new forms or find alternative means to evade detection.
Bangkok’s recent actions, including removing the Thai officials complicit in cybercrime, mark a bold step in combating cybercrime, but questions remain about the long-term sustainability of these efforts. A crackdown driven by immediate political and economic concerns may not necessarily be a long-term solution. Criminal networks are highly adaptive, and without systemic reforms, they may resurface in new forms or find alternative means to evade detection. Sustained vigilance, continuous enforcement, and deeper international cooperation will be required to prevent these groups from regaining a foothold.
In the long run, only a regional approach coupled with sustained domestic reforms can ensure that Southeast Asia does not become a global epicentre for online scams and modern-day slavery.
Sreeparna Banerjee is an Associate Fellow at the Strategic Studies Programme at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Sreeparna Banerjee is an Associate Fellow in the Strategic Studies Programme. Her work focuses on the geopolitical and strategic affairs concerning two Southeast Asian countries, namely ...
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