In a bold move to curb the rampant scourge of call-centre scams plaguing Southeast Asia, Thailand has intensified its efforts by cutting off essential utilities such as electricity, fuel, and internet to areas along its border with Myanmar and Cambodia, where these criminal operations thrive. This drastic step, coupled with regional cooperation involving China and ASEAN partners, signals a new chapter in the fight against cross-border cybercrime, though it raises questions about the humanitarian and economic fallout for border communities.
A Growing Threat in Southeast Asia
Call-centre scams, often operated by organized crime syndicates, have become a pervasive issue across Southeast Asia, with hubs particularly concentrated in border regions like Myawaddy in Myanmar and Poipet in Cambodia. These operations lure vulnerable individuals—often through human trafficking—into working under coercive conditions to perpetrate fraud, targeting victims globally with schemes ranging from romance scams to investment fraud. According to recent reports, online fraud cost Thailand alone an estimated US$1.76 billion in 2024, underscoring the scale of the crisis. 
Thailand’s government, under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has taken a hardline stance. In early 2025, authorities announced the cutoff of telecom services and power supplies to scam hubs in these border areas. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has even threatened to reduce power supply to parts of Myanmar if cooperation falters, a statement reflecting the urgency and frustration within Thai leadership. “We cannot allow our borders to be exploited by criminals who harm innocent people worldwide” said Phumtham during a recent press briefing, as reported by local outlets.
The crackdown has led to tangible results. Over 260 scam victims from Myanmar have been repatriated to Thailand in recent months, while thousands more are reportedly set to be released following negotiations with neighboring authorities. Thai police, in collaboration with 18 foreign embassies, have also facilitated the rescue and repatriation of victims from countries as diverse as Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines, highlighting the international scope of the problem.
Regional Collaboration and International Pressure
Thailand’s efforts are not unilateral. A significant meeting in China between Prime Minister Paetongtarn and Chinese President Xi Jinping in early 2025 underscored Beijing’s support for the crackdown. Xi reportedly lauded Thailand’s initiatives, with both leaders pledging to enhance joint efforts against scam operations. This collaboration is crucial, as many of the criminal networks are believed to have ties to Chinese syndicates, a point of contention that has also drawn criticism from Western nations over China’s role in regional crime.
Closer to home, ASEAN nations are stepping up coordination. Thailand, China, and Myanmar have united to target these gangs, with joint river patrols along the Mekong and discussions on cross-border security intensifying. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Paetongtarn have also pledged stronger military and anti-crime cooperation, though border tensions and postponed talks with Cambodia indicate underlying challenges. “We must work as a region to dismantle these networks, or they will continue to exploit our porous borders” said a Thai foreign ministry official during a recent ASEAN summit.
The involvement of international actors like the United States, which has condemned interference in Sino-Thai cooperation, adds another layer of complexity. Meanwhile, Taiwan has listed Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam as high-risk destinations due to the prevalence of scam centres, a warning that could impact tourism—a vital sector for Thailand’s economy already reeling from recent natural disasters and safety concerns.
Humanitarian and Economic Costs
While the crackdown has been hailed as a necessary measure, it is not without controversy. The utility cutoffs have severely impacted border communities, particularly in Myanmar’s Myawaddy, where local leaders have pleaded with Thailand for reprieve. The city, heavily reliant on cross-border trade, is reportedly crippled by the restrictions, with small businesses and residents bearing the brunt. “We understand the need to fight crime, but entire communities are suffering without power or internet” said a local merchant in Myawaddy, speaking to regional media.
Human rights groups have also raised alarms over the fate of trafficked individuals caught in the crossfire. Many victims, lured with false promises of legitimate work, face dire conditions in scam centres. Reports of Filipinos paying for their freedom or attempting dangerous escapes underscore the human toll. Thailand’s policy of deporting individuals, such as the controversial repatriation of Uyghur refugees to China, has drawn criticism from organizations like Amnesty International, which described the move as “unimaginably cruel.” Thai officials, however, maintain that their actions are aimed at protecting national security and dismantling criminal networks.
Economically, the crackdown has taken a toll on border trade, with a reported decline in February 2025 due to tightened restrictions. Thailand has also banned exports of 11 products, including fuel, to Myanmar, citing fraud concerns. While these measures aim to starve scam operations of resources, they risk alienating neighboring countries at a time when regional unity is critical.
Challenges and Speculative Outcomes
Despite the progress, significant challenges remain. Experts estimate that up to 100,000 people may still be working in scam centres along the Thailand-Myanmar border, a figure suggesting that the problem is far from resolved. The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos, long associated with illicit activities, is also attempting to clean up its act under pressure from Thailand, though skepticism persists about the effectiveness of such reforms.
If sustained, Thailand’s utility cutoffs and regional partnerships could deal a severe blow to scam networks, potentially reducing the financial losses and human suffering caused by these operations. However, if cooperation with neighbors falters or if criminal syndicates adapt by relocating to less regulated areas, the problem may simply shift rather than disappear. There is also the unverified concern that some local officials or businesses might be complicit in these operations, a claim that, if confirmed, could complicate enforcement efforts. For now, no concrete evidence supports such allegations, and Thai authorities remain focused on external threats.
Another speculative risk is the impact on Thailand’s international image. With tourism already strained by safety concerns—exacerbated by incidents like the Chinese actor’s human trafficking case near the Thai-Myanmar border and declining Chinese tourist numbers—the crackdown’s collateral damage could deter visitors. The government has sought to reassure potential tourists, emphasizing enhanced security measures, but restoring confidence will require sustained effort.
Technological and Legal Fronts
Beyond physical crackdowns, Thailand is bolstering its cyber defenses. The Electricity Authority of Thailand is targeting call-centre gangs with technological interventions, while cyber police have dismantled cross-border gambling operations in areas like Phuket. New laws against online child exploitation and coordinated legal frameworks across ASEAN are also in the works, aiming to combat the digital dimensions of these crimes.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn has personally prioritized the issue, assigning the Foreign Ministry to coordinate with ASEAN on broader initiatives like combating PM2.5 pollution—a separate but interconnected regional challenge—and integrating anti-scam measures into diplomatic agendas. Her recent video call with Thai hostages released by Hamas in Tel Aviv, while unrelated to scams, reflects her administration’s broader focus on citizen safety, a narrative that ties into the anti-crime push.
Looking Ahead
As Thailand spearheads this regional crackdown on call-centre scams, the balance between enforcement, humanitarian considerations, and economic stability remains delicate. The coming months will test the resilience of ASEAN’s collaborative framework and the willingness of border communities to endure short-term hardships for long-term gains. With international eyes on Southeast Asia, the question lingers: can Thailand lead the region out of the shadow of cybercrime, or will the complexities of cross-border dynamics undermine these ambitious efforts?
