(Feb 4): Thailand will cut off electricity, internet access and oil supplies to some areas in Myanmar suspected to house cyber scam operations, widening a crackdown after a high-profile trafficking of a Chinese actor put a spotlight on criminal activities across the Thai borders.

The National Security Council decided to halt power supply to five areas in Myanmar including Myawaddy and Tachileik from 9am (10.30am Malaysia) on Wednesday, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters in Bangkok. The Foreign Ministry will notify Myanmar’s military government and other agencies to allow hospitals to make preparations ahead of the suspension, he said.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who earlier on Tuesday flagged the imminent clampdown, had said her government would prioritise the safety of Thai people and the country’s image more than anything else. The move came hours before Paetongtarn was due to fly to China for an official visit.

The prime minister will also ask Chinese President Xi Jinping to help reassure tourists that it’s safe to travel to Thailand, amid concerns that some travellers are cancelling trips after last month’s viral trafficking of a Chinese actor near the Thai border with Myanmar.

Across Southeast Asia, the billion-dollar cyber scam operations have been expanding, particularly in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Often run by Chinese fugitives who fled their home nation in 2020 following a domestic crackdown, they have taken cover in areas of Myanmar where the military regime is losing control over territories to rebels.

Phumtham doesn’t expect Myanmar to retaliate by cutting gas supply as the military government understands the scam operations are not a Thailand-specific issue but affect the international community. Thailand’s state-owned oil and gas company PTT Exploration and Production pcl has operations in Myanmar that meet about 15% of the country’s natural gas demand a year.

Thailand has moved to step up the security of foreign tourists and mounted an awareness campaign to protect people from falling victim to scammers. Last week, the cabinet approved new legal measures to require banks, telecom operators and social media platforms to be proactive in preventing online scams and be jointly responsible for financial losses suffered by the victims. The stricter rules will be effective after an amended royal decree, expected to be published sometime this month.

Uploaded by Arion Yeow