Thailand has launched a targeted operation to disrupt cross-border telecommunication fraud, focusing on cutting off internet and telephone signals exploited by call-centre gangs based in Poipet, Cambodia. The initiative, led by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), involves reducing signal transmissions and removing telephone poles along the border in Sa Kaeo province, while ensuring Thai residents remain unaffected. Alongside these measures, police have rescued four Thai nationals lured into working for scam operations across the border, highlighting the human toll of this illicit industry.
The operation, which began in three key areas of Sa Kaeo province—Aranyaprathet train station, behind Benjawan Market in Pa Rai subdistrict, and Ban Khok Sawang community in Tha Kham subdistrict—targets infrastructure exploited by scammers. NBTC acting secretary general Trairat Viriyasirikul confirmed that officials have dismantled telephone poles to restrict access to signals, ensuring “only people in Thailand have access.” He reassured the public that the removal of poles would not disrupt local services, with signal transmission panels to be reinstalled in community areas.
Provincial Police Region 2 chief Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjumnong revealed that the crackdown follows an investigation uncovering how call-centre gangs in Poipet use Thai internet connections and telephone signals to operate. Scammers deploy SIM boxes near the Cambodian border to tap into Thai telecommunication services, often renting offices in Poipet to run their operations. The police are now focusing on severing connections provided by international private leased circuit (IPLC) companies, which supply internet and telephone signals to multiple customers in Cambodia. According to Pol Lt Gen Yingyos, this violates contractual agreements and facilitates criminal activity.
Opportunists and Serious Organized Crime at the Border
The Thailand-Cambodia border, particularly around Sa Kaeo and Poipet, has long been a hotspot for cross-border crime, including human trafficking and online fraud. Call-centre gangs, often linked to broader transnational crime networks, prey on vulnerable individuals with promises of lucrative jobs, only to trap them in exploitative conditions. These scams typically involve impersonating officials or businesses to defraud victims over the phone or online, costing millions of baht annually and damaging Thailand’s reputation as a regional tech hub.
The use of Thai telecommunication infrastructure by foreign-based scammers poses a unique challenge for authorities. While Thailand has invested heavily in expanding its digital connectivity, this infrastructure is being weaponised by criminals just across the border. Cutting off signals risks isolating legitimate users, yet allowing unchecked access enables fraud on a massive scale. The NBTC’s strategy of targeted pole removal and signal reduction aims to strike a balance, though questions remain about the long-term efficacy of such measures against adaptable criminal networks.
If successful, this operation could set a precedent for regional cooperation in tackling cybercrime. However, as industry experts note, scammers are likely to seek alternative methods—potentially through unregulated satellite connections or smuggled equipment—if terrestrial signals are curtailed. Without bilateral agreements with Cambodia to address the root causes in Poipet, such as lax enforcement and cheap office rentals, the problem may persist or shift to other border areas.
Human Stories Behind the Scams
Beyond the technical crackdown, the human cost of telecom fraud came into sharp focus with the rescue of four Thai nationals by Khlong Luek Police Station on 8 February. The victims, comprising three individuals from Krabi and one from Prachin Buri, had been deceived into working for call-centre gangs in Poipet. One survivor recounted being lured by a relative with the promise of a job in Bangkok, only to be taken to Aranyaprathet district after a brief stay in the capital. During this time, the victim was coerced into opening a bank account to receive a 5,000-baht payment—a common tactic used by scammers to launder money or facilitate fraud.
The victim’s ordeal ended when he shared his location with his son, enabling police to intervene. This rescue underscores the deceptive recruitment methods employed by call-centre gangs, often targeting rural or economically disadvantaged individuals with false promises of high-paying work. Once across the border, victims are frequently subjected to coercion, debt bondage, or even physical harm if they resist.
Thai authorities have intensified efforts to combat human trafficking linked to these scams, with regular patrols and tip-off hotlines encouraging families to report missing relatives. Yet, the scale of the problem remains daunting, with hundreds—if not thousands—of individuals believed to be trapped in similar schemes across South East Asia. If left unchecked, this exploitation could fuel broader social and economic instability in border communities, where trust in legitimate employment opportunities is already fragile.
Legal and Ethical Dimensions
Thailand’s response to cross-border telecom fraud must navigate a complex legal landscape. Under the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550 (2007), using telecommunication services for criminal purposes is a punishable offence, providing a clear basis for targeting IPLC companies that violate contracts. However, restricting signals raises ethical questions about access to communication, a cornerstone of modern life, particularly in remote border areas where connectivity is already limited.
Moreover, the operation’s focus on Poipet-based gangs risks straining diplomatic ties with Cambodia if not handled with care. While Thai officials have framed the initiative as a domestic security measure, any perceived overreach—such as unintended signal disruptions affecting Cambodian civilians—could escalate tensions. A balanced approach, potentially involving joint task forces or intelligence-sharing with Cambodian authorities, may offer a more sustainable path forward, though political sensitivities on both sides could complicate such collaboration.
Broader Implications for South East Asia
The crackdown in Sa Kaeo province reflects a broader regional struggle against cybercrime, as South East Asia emerges as a global hotspot for online fraud. Countries like Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines have also grappled with scam hubs, often linked to organised crime syndicates with international reach. Thailand’s actions could inspire similar interventions elsewhere, though success hinges on addressing not just the technological enablers but also the socio-economic conditions that drive individuals into the arms of scammers.
If reforms to telecommunication oversight and border security are paired with public awareness campaigns, Thailand may reduce the incidence of fraud over time. Yet, as long as demand for cheap, exploitable labour persists in neighbouring countries, the underlying incentives for call-centre gangs will remain. International donors and tech firms could play a role by funding digital literacy programmes or supporting ethical employment initiatives, though such efforts would require years to yield results.
For now, the NBTC and Thai police are sending a clear message: telecommunication infrastructure will not be a tool for crime. Whether this operation marks the beginning of a sustained crackdown or merely a temporary disruption remains to be seen. What is certain is that the battle against cross-border fraud will require innovation, cooperation, and a deep understanding of the human stakes at play.
As one rescued victim’s story reminds us, behind every disconnected signal or dismantled pole lies a web of deception that ensnares real lives. Thailand’s challenge is to cut through that web without severing the lifelines of its own people.