Thailand Intensifies Crackdown on Scam Centres Along Myanmar Border

Thailand is stepping up its battle against sprawling scam centres along its border with Myanmar, where an estimated 100,000 people are believed to be working in fraudulent operations. These compounds, often linked to human trafficking and organised crime, form part of a vast Southeast Asian network generating billions of dollars annually, according to the United Nations. As regional efforts intensify, more than 5,200 individuals have been rescued from facilities in and around Myawaddy, a border town in Myanmar’s Kayin State, since February.

The scale of the problem has prompted a multi-pronged response from Thai authorities, who are leading a regional push to dismantle these illegal hubs. Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, an inspector-general with the Royal Thai Police, revealed that early assessments of the rescued individuals suggest hundreds may have entered these scam centres voluntarily, drawn by the promise of work. “Many people use Thailand as a pathway to sneak into Myawaddy to find employment, not just in call centre gangs but also in online gambling and other professions,” he said, as reported by Vietnam News on 20 March 2025. He urged meticulous investigations to distinguish between victims and perpetrators among nationals from over a dozen countries.

A Regional Crisis with Global Implications

The scam centres, concentrated along the porous Thailand-Myanmar border, represent a growing regional crisis with far-reaching implications. Often disguised as legitimate businesses, these facilities exploit vulnerable individuals, many of whom are trafficked by criminal syndicates. Workers are frequently coerced into running online fraud schemes, targeting victims worldwide with scams ranging from fake investments to romance fraud. The United Nations has highlighted the staggering scale of these operations, estimating their annual revenue in the billions of dollars, fuelling organised crime across Southeast Asia.

Myawaddy, located opposite Mae Sot in Thailand’s Tak Province, has emerged as a focal point for these illicit activities. Soldiers from Thailand’s Rachamanu Task Force maintain close surveillance on the area, monitoring cross-border movements from outposts in Mae Sot. Thai authorities have taken drastic measures to disrupt the scam centres’ operations, including cutting off electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to the region. According to the Bangkok Post, over 3,500 of the rescued individuals have been repatriated to their home countries via Thailand, underscoring the international scope of the crisis.

The situation is complicated by the volatile political landscape in Myanmar, where ongoing conflict and instability following the 2021 military coup have created fertile ground for criminal networks to thrive. With limited governance in border areas like Myawaddy, scam centres operate with relative impunity, often under the protection of local militias or corrupt officials. This dynamic poses a significant challenge to Thailand’s efforts, as cross-border cooperation with Myanmar remains fraught with difficulties.

Human Trafficking and Voluntary Workers: A Complex Web

One of the most troubling aspects of the scam centre phenomenon is the blurred line between victim and participant. While many workers are trafficked or coerced into these roles—often lured by false promises of legitimate employment—others appear to have sought out these jobs willingly. Pol Gen Thatchai’s comments suggest a need for nuanced investigations to separate those complicit in criminal activities from those exploited by them. This distinction is critical, as misidentification risks punishing victims while allowing perpetrators to evade justice.

The rescued individuals hail from a diverse array of countries, reflecting the global reach of these trafficking networks. For Thailand, which serves as a transit hub for many migrants heading to Myawaddy, the challenge lies in balancing border security with humanitarian concerns. The repatriation of over 3,500 people demonstrates the logistical burden of managing such a large-scale operation, as well as the importance of international cooperation in addressing the crisis.

Beyond immediate rescue efforts, questions remain about the long-term solutions to prevent individuals from being drawn into these scams in the first place. Economic desperation, lack of legal employment opportunities, and lax border controls are among the root causes driving people to risk their safety for work in Myawaddy. Addressing these systemic issues will require coordinated action not only from Thailand and Myanmar but also from neighbouring countries and international organisations.

Thailand’s Role in Regional Leadership

Thailand’s aggressive stance against the scam centres positions it as a leader in the fight against transnational crime in Southeast Asia. By spearheading rescue operations and disrupting the infrastructure supporting these hubs, Bangkok is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate the exploitation of its borders for criminal gain. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, particularly given the challenges of operating in a region marked by political instability and porous frontiers.

Cutting off utilities to Myawaddy’s scam centres is a bold tactic, but it risks unintended consequences for local communities already grappling with hardship amid Myanmar’s ongoing conflict. Thai authorities must navigate this delicate balance, ensuring that their actions target criminal networks without exacerbating the suffering of civilians. Moreover, while over 5,200 people have been rescued, this figure represents only a fraction of the estimated 100,000 individuals believed to be working in these facilities. Scaling up operations to address the full scope of the problem will require sustained resources and regional collaboration.

The involvement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) could prove instrumental in this regard. As a regional bloc, ASEAN has the potential to facilitate dialogue and coordination among member states, many of which are directly affected by the scam centre networks. Thailand’s leadership in this area could serve as a catalyst for broader ASEAN initiatives, fostering joint efforts to combat human trafficking and cybercrime across the region.

Broader Implications for Border Security and Cybercrime

The proliferation of scam centres along the Thailand-Myanmar border underscores the evolving nature of crime in the digital age. These facilities are not merely isolated outposts of fraud; they are nodes in a sophisticated global network that exploits technology to perpetrate harm on an unprecedented scale. The rise of online scams, facilitated by the anonymity of the internet, poses a formidable challenge to law enforcement agencies worldwide, requiring innovative strategies and international cooperation to combat effectively.

For Thailand, the situation also highlights the vulnerabilities of its border regions, which have long been conduits for smuggling, trafficking, and other illicit activities. Strengthening border security without impeding legitimate cross-border trade and movement is a complex task, particularly in areas like Mae Sot, where economic interdependence with Myanmar is a daily reality for many residents. Thai authorities may need to invest in advanced surveillance technologies and capacity-building for border officials to address these challenges effectively.

Furthermore, the scam centre crisis raises important questions about the intersection of cybercrime and human trafficking. Many workers in these facilities are victims of modern slavery, forced to participate in scams under threat of violence or debt bondage. International frameworks, such as the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, provide a basis for addressing these abuses, but implementation remains uneven across Southeast Asia. Thailand’s efforts to rescue and repatriate victims are a step in the right direction, but long-term rehabilitation and reintegration programmes are equally critical to breaking the cycle of exploitation.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As Thailand continues its crackdown on scam centres, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The sheer scale of the operations in Myawaddy and beyond suggests that dismantling these networks will be a protracted and resource-intensive endeavour. Moreover, the political instability in Myanmar complicates efforts to establish effective cross-border cooperation, leaving Thai authorities to shoulder much of the burden unilaterally.

If Thailand’s measures—such as cutting off utilities—prove successful in disrupting scam operations, they could serve as a model for other countries grappling with similar issues. However, without addressing the underlying socioeconomic factors driving individuals into these centres, such measures risk being only a temporary fix. Initiatives to create legal employment opportunities, raise awareness of trafficking risks, and strengthen regional governance will be essential to achieving lasting change.

There is also a need for greater public awareness of online scams, both within Southeast Asia and globally. Victims of these frauds are often located thousands of miles away from Myawaddy, unaware of the human suffering behind the schemes targeting them. Governments, tech companies, and civil society organisations must work together to educate internet users about the warning signs of scams and to develop tools to detect and block fraudulent activities.

In the meantime, Thailand’s resolve to tackle this crisis head-on offers a glimmer of hope amid a deeply troubling situation. The rescue of over 5,200 individuals is a testament to the impact of determined action, even as the estimated 100,000 workers still trapped in scam centres serve as a sobering reminder of the work that remains. As Pol Gen Thatchai emphasised, careful investigation and international collaboration will be key to distinguishing between victims and criminals, ensuring that justice is served without compounding the suffering of the exploited.

For now, soldiers of the Rachamanu Task Force stand watch over the border, a visible symbol of Thailand’s commitment to rooting out this scourge. Whether their efforts will ultimately succeed in dismantling the scam centre networks remains to be seen, but their presence sends a powerful message: the exploitation of vulnerable people for criminal profit will not go unchallenged.