Thai Government’s Bold Move: Regional Collaboration to End Call Centre Scams

Last updated on February 24th, 2025 at 05:05 am

The Thai Government is stepping up its response against the rapidly escalating issue of call centre scams that have affected thousands of victims in Thailand. Acknowledging the transnational dimension of these operations, Thailand is collaborating with neighboring countries against criminal activities.

Major General Thanathip Sawangsaeng from the office of Defence said that Deputy Prime minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai took the lead to handle the issue. Phumtham said these scams are harming the economy as well as Thai people.

The Thai government plans to implement the ‘Cut power, Cut internet, Cut fuel’ strategy as part of its initiative and focus on five inseparable sectors. Under this scheme, a trilateral arrangement with China and Myanmar is intended to collectively intercept the networks of call centre operators.

Phumtham went a step further solidifying regional ties, by also discussing security cooperation with Laos’ Minister of National Defence on how to curb drug trafficking, human trafficking and cybercrime with both nations. The countries agreed to prepare a memorandum of understanding to plug the gaps that become the root causes of border crimes.

In order to stop these criminal gangs from transferring their operations to neighbouring countries, Thailand has talked to the Cambodian National Police. Thatchai Pitaneelabut, National Police Inspector-General in a meeting with Cambodian officials reiterated their commitment to these efforts.

Thailand’s government underlined that its crackdown will be not only about stopping those crimes but also establish an international cooperation mechanism so call center gangs cannot come back to Thailand.  Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Phumtham promised to protect Thai citizens from these kinds of criminal networks.

Thailand has taken a significant step cutting power to regions in Myanmar where the majority of the scamming operations are held. The government continues to root out call centre gangs to complete eradication of such criminal activities.