Thailand cuts power to Myanmar border areas amid illegal gambling, scam centre crackdown

February 6, 2025

Thailand cuts power to Myanmar border areas amid illegal gambling, scam centre crackdown

Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) took a step towards addressing security concerns by suspending power supply to five locations along the Thai-Myanmar border. The decision, overseen by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, was made in response to the misuse of electricity in illegal activities, including scams and illicit gambling operations.

According to PEA, it suspended a total of 20.37 MW of electricity, affecting key border regions where criminal activities, including human trafficking and money laundering, have been rampant. The locations affected by the power cut include Myawaddy, Tachileik, and Payathongzu, areas known for housing large scam compounds and illegal gambling centres. The suspension aims to disrupt the operations of these centres, which are often run by criminal syndicates and generate billions of dollars annually through illegal online activities, including gambling and fraud.

“This action is not aimed at the people of Myanmar directly but is a measure designed to address and manage issues related to illegal activities in border areas, including human trafficking, call centre gangs, money laundering, and transnational crime that may be using electricity to carry out these activities,” PEA said in a statement.

Power cut as a response to international pressure

The move follows mounting pressure from international stakeholders, particularly China, which has called for action to curb the impact of these criminal operations on its citizens. Thai officials have acknowledged that while the power cut would affect local businesses, it is necessary to prevent Thailand from being complicit in the illicit activities taking place in Myanmar.

Gambling and scam centres flourish in the border region

Scam compounds along the Thai-Myanmar border have become notorious for their involvement in various illegal activities, including gambling operations. According to several media reports, these centres often force workers, including many Chinese nationals, to participate in online fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling. The United Nations has reported that such scams have led to the exploitation of hundreds of thousands of people, with operations generating billions annually.

Broader effort to combat crime

While the primary aim of the power cut is to disrupt the activities of criminal syndicates, it has also caused disruption for local residents. Some areas, particularly Myawaddy, rely heavily on the power supplied by Thailand, and many locals are now facing difficulties. However, the Thai government remains committed to addressing the root causes of these illegal activities and has stated its willingness to cooperate with Myanmar authorities to resolve these issues.

“Thailand remains committed to maintaining good international relations and is willing to cooperate with Myanmar authorities to resolve these issues appropriately,” PEA said.