Thailand has taken the drastic step of cutting power supplies, internet connections, and fuel exports to several Myanmar border towns in a bold move to pressure authorities across the border to act against transnational criminal networks. The operation, which began on Wednesday, targets areas notorious for harbouring call-centre gangs that have victimised countless individuals across the region. While initial reports suggest some success, with fuel hoarding in Myawaddy and a 40% drop in electricity use in Shwe Kokko, the measure risks significant hardship for local communities and potential economic blowback for Thailand itself.
The decision, endorsed by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and overseen by Thai army chief General Pana Klaewblaudtuk, comes amid growing frustration over the unchecked operations of criminal syndicates along the Thailand-Myanmar border. These gangs, often involved in scams and human trafficking, have long exploited the porous frontier, setting up bases in border towns like Myawaddy and Tachileik. Thai officials believe the utility cuts will force Myanmar to confront the issue, but they acknowledge the collateral impact on civilians who rely on these services for daily life.
A Strategic Move with High Stakes
The affected areas span multiple border crossings, including Kanchanaburi’s Three Pagodas-Payathongzu pass, Tak’s Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and Ban Huay Muang to Myawaddy, and Chiang Rai’s Ban Mueang Daeng and First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to Tachileik. These regions have become hotspots for criminal activity, with call-centre gangs reportedly investing heavily in infrastructure—up to 1 billion baht in some cases—to establish self-sufficient hubs. A source from a Thai security agency revealed to local outlet Krungthep Turakij that the gangs may have anticipated such measures, stockpiling fuel and potentially seeking alternative power supplies from neighbouring Laos or China. 
“They planned strategically before establishing their bases along the Thai border,” the source noted, highlighting the sophistication of these criminal networks. Despite the utility cuts, there are concerns that the masterminds behind these operations could sustain their activities for some time, undermining the effectiveness of Thailand’s strategy.
The operation also carries significant risks for Thailand’s border economy. The same security source cautioned that if Myanmar retaliates by closing its checkpoints, Thai businesses and communities dependent on cross-border trade could suffer. Thai authorities have committed to monitoring the situation closely over the next month before deciding on further actions, indicating that this is merely the opening salvo in a broader crackdown on transnational crime along the frontier.
International Pressure and Coordination
Thailand’s actions have not been taken in isolation. The move follows a recent visit by China’s Assistant Public Security Minister Liu Zhongyi, who urged Thai officials to intensify efforts against call-centre gangs. Many of the victims targeted by these scams are Chinese nationals, and Beijing has pressed for the swift arrest of gang leaders and the release of individuals believed to be held captive in Myanmar’s border regions. As part of this collaboration, the Chinese delegation proposed establishing a Thai-Chinese coordination centre to streamline efforts to dismantle these criminal networks.
The involvement of China underscores the international dimension of the issue. Call-centre gangs operating from Myanmar’s border towns often target victims far beyond South East Asia, using sophisticated scams to defraud individuals and businesses. The pressure from Beijing adds a geopolitical layer to Thailand’s decision, as Bangkok seeks to balance domestic security concerns with its diplomatic relations in the region.
For Thailand, the utility cuts represent a delicate balancing act. On one hand, the government faces mounting domestic pressure from victims of these scams and a public increasingly frustrated with the impunity of cross-border criminals. On the other, the measure risks straining relations with Myanmar, a neighbour already grappling with internal conflict and political instability since the military coup in 2021. Thai officials have yet to comment on how they will manage potential diplomatic fallout, though the deployment of troops to monitor the border suggests a readiness for escalation if necessary.
Humanitarian and Economic Concerns
While the utility cuts are framed as a necessary measure to combat crime, they have raised serious concerns about the impact on ordinary residents in Myanmar’s border towns. Many locals in these areas depend on Thai-supplied electricity, internet, and fuel for their livelihoods, and the sudden disruption could exacerbate already dire conditions in a region marked by poverty and instability. Humanitarian groups have yet to issue formal statements, but there is a growing murmur of unease about the potential for these measures to disproportionately harm civilians rather than the criminal elements they target.
In Myawaddy, reports of immediate fuel hoarding suggest that communities are bracing for a prolonged period of scarcity. The 40% drop in electricity consumption in Shwe Kokko, while a sign of the operation’s initial impact, also hints at the broader challenges locals now face in accessing basic services. If the criminal gangs do indeed secure alternative power sources, as Thai officials fear, the utility cuts may ultimately fail to achieve their intended goal while inflicting significant hardship on the innocent.
There are also economic implications for Thailand itself. The border regions are vital for trade, with goods and people moving daily across checkpoints like the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridges. A retaliatory closure of these crossings by Myanmar could disrupt supply chains and hit local businesses hard, particularly in provinces like Tak and Chiang Rai. Thai security agencies are aware of this risk, and their decision to reassess the situation after a month reflects a cautious approach to mitigating potential fallout.
A Broader Crackdown on Transnational Crime
Thai officials have made it clear that the utility cuts are just the beginning of a wider effort to tackle transnational crime along the border. The region has long been a hub for illicit activities, from drug trafficking to human smuggling, with call-centre gangs representing only one facet of a complex criminal ecosystem. The sophisticated infrastructure reportedly built by these gangs—described by some as entire “new cities”—points to the scale of the challenge facing authorities.
The collaboration with China could prove a game-changer, offering resources and intelligence-sharing that Thailand may lack on its own. However, it also raises questions about sovereignty and the extent to which Bangkok is willing to cede control over its border policies to external partners. For now, the focus remains on pressuring Myanmar to act, but the long-term success of this strategy will depend on sustained cooperation between multiple stakeholders, including local authorities on both sides of the border.
Looking Ahead: A Test of Resolve
As Thailand embarks on this high-stakes operation, the coming weeks will serve as a critical test of its resolve to combat transnational crime without destabilising an already fragile border region. The utility cuts may yield short-term results, as evidenced by the initial disruptions in Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko, but the adaptability of criminal networks and the potential for economic and humanitarian consequences cannot be ignored.
For locals on both sides of the border, the situation remains precarious. Thai authorities must tread carefully to avoid alienating communities already caught in the crossfire of conflict and crime. Meanwhile, the international community, particularly China, will be watching closely to see whether this bold move delivers the desired results—or sparks unintended consequences that could ripple across South East Asia.
The broader implications of Thailand’s actions are yet to unfold, but one thing is clear: the fight against call-centre gangs and other transnational criminals is far from over. As Thai troops stand guard along the border and officials prepare for the next phase of their crackdown, the region braces for a period of uncertainty, with the hope that security and stability can ultimately be restored.
