BANGKOK (Bernama): Recognising the growing threat of transnational call centre scams, the Thai government is intensifying its collaboration with neighbouring countries to effectively prevent these criminal operations from exploiting existing loopholes.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, Major General Thanathip Sawangsaeng, revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is spearheading measures to suppress call centre gangs.
He stated that these transnational crimes have caused significant harm to Thai citizens and the national economy.
"The Thai government has implemented proactive measures under the 'Cut Power, Cut Internet, Cut Fuel' plan in five key areas, in collaboration with China and Myanmar through a trilateral mechanism to effectively dismantle these criminal networks," he said in a statement on Saturday.
Phumtham also represented the Thai government in discussions with the Minister of National Defence of Laos to enhance security cooperation, particularly in combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime. Both countries agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding to close gaps that facilitate cross-border crimes.
To prevent call centre gangs from relocating their operations to neighbouring countries, Thanathip said that National Police Inspector-General Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabut had been instructed to attend a meeting with Cambodia’s National Police on Friday.
He said the Thai government emphasised that these efforts would not stop at suppression alone but would also focus on creating international cooperation mechanisms to prevent call centre gangs from re-emerging in Thai society.
Prime Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Phumtham have pledged to protect Thai citizens from these criminal networks and ensure that such groups can no longer deceive or harm th public, he added.
"They reaffirmed that recent measures are yielding clear results and vowed to continue working until this issue is completely resolved," he said.
On February 5, Thailand cut off power supplies to areas in Myanmar where scam networks operate as part of efforts to combat call centre scams and criminal gangs. - Bernama
