A crackdown on online scam centers has left over 7,000 people stranded in a Myanmar border town, awaiting repatriation. The mass operation, coordinated by Thailand, Myanmar, and China, is putting a strain on Thailand’s resources and delaying the process, reports AP.  The crackdown follows Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s recent visit to Beijing, where she assured Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Thailand would act against scam networks exploiting people worldwide through fraudulent investment schemes, romance scams, and illegal gambling. Many victims were lured under false pretenses and forced into scam operations, often in conditions resembling slavery.  Thai, Myanmar, and Chinese officials plan to meet next week to discuss logistical challenges, as concerns grow over a potential humanitarian crisis. The goal is to set clear repatriation guidelines, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Thanathip Sawangsang said.  85 Bangladeshis among 598 immigrants detained in Myanmar In an effort to dismantle the scam centers, Thailand has also cut off electricity, internet, and gas to several Myanmar border areas, citing national security.  Amy Miller, Southeast Asia director of aid group Act of Mercy International, described the scale of the release as unprecedented. She acknowledged Thai authorities' efforts but noted that managing the situation requires international cooperation. “Housing, feeding, and processing such a large number is overwhelming for any government,” she said, urging home countries to take responsibility.  Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Tuesday acknowledged concerns over potential security risks if repatriation is delayed. Verification of identities remains a key challenge, a diplomatic source said.  Over half of those stranded are Chinese nationals. Last week, China repatriated more than 600 people via 16 chartered flights. Earlier this month, around 260 individuals from 20 countries, including Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines, crossed into Thailand for processing. Over 100 remain in Thai custody.  Mae Sot, a key transit point for trafficking victims, is now at the center of repatriation efforts. Checkpoints along the route warn travelers in Thai, English, and Chinese about trafficking risks, while security forces conduct vehicle checks and verify identifications.

Around 260 foreign nationals, who were trafficked and forced to work in online scam centers in Myanmar, are set to be repatriated following a rescue operation, Thailand's army announced Thursday. The individuals, from 20 different countries, were brought to Thailand’s Tak province from Myanmar’s Myawaddy district on Wednesday. The victims include people from Ethiopia, Kenya, the Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and several other nations, AP reports. According to Thai authorities, these individuals were coerced into working in online scam centers that operated across Southeast Asia. These scams, including fake romantic schemes, fraudulent investment offers, and illegal gambling, have defrauded victims worldwide of billions of dollars. Many workers were lured with false job promises and later held against their will. Erdogan holds talks with Pakistani premier to discuss Gaza and bilateral issues The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, a Myanmar ethnic militia, reportedly facilitated the workers' release and escorted them to the Thai border. Myanmar's military government has limited control over many frontier areas, where ethnic militias often engage in criminal activities like drug trafficking and protecting scam operations. The rescued individuals will undergo questioning to confirm if they were victims of human trafficking. Verified victims will be placed under protection while awaiting repatriation. Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, stated that the country would only accept those who can be immediately repatriated by their home countries, emphasizing that Thailand has no plans to establish additional shelters. The operation follows earlier crackdowns on scam centers in Myanmar, particularly in Shan state, where China exerted pressure to curb these illegal activities. In late 2023, ethnic militias with close ties to Beijing shut down many such operations, resulting in the repatriation of approximately 45,000 Chinese nationals. China’s new coal power plant projects hit highest level in 10yrs, report says Thailand has intensified efforts to combat these scams in collaboration with China. In February, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged joint action to dismantle scam networks in the region. Additionally, Thai authorities recently cut off utilities, including internet, to certain border areas notorious for scam centers. The Thai army assured that investigations will continue, using the rescued individuals' accounts to track and prosecute the traffickers behind these operations.