BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered an intensified crackdown on transnational crime syndicates, with particular focus on scam gangs operating along the Thai-Cambodian border. The directive follows a United Nations report naming Cambodia as one of the world’s largest cybercrime hubs.
Chairing a high-level security meeting at Government House, the Prime Minister emphasized that ongoing operations have already shown results — with a notable decrease in reported call-center scam cases. She urged all agencies to maintain pressure, especially at border areas where criminals often exploit weak entry points.
“Cross-border crime not only threatens public safety, but also harms the country’s economy and international reputation,” Paetongtarn told officials from the ministries of defense, digital economy, interior, foreign affairs, and national security agencies.
The Prime Minister cited a report estimating Cambodia’s cybercrime operations have suffered losses of over 30 billion baht due to recent enforcement actions. “The more revenue they lose, the safer our people are,” she said, calling the development a sign that enforcement is working — but insisting it must go further.
Paetongtarn vowed that Thailand would continue disrupting networks, stopping recruitment operations, and cutting supply routes. “Wherever there’s a possibility of these networks regrouping, we must block them immediately,” she stressed.
Officials also discussed strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries, ensuring real-time intelligence sharing, and continuing public awareness campaigns to prevent Thai citizens from falling victim to online fraud schemes.
The crackdown has targeted illegal operations in and around border provinces like Sa Kaeo, Surin, and Buriram, often used as transit points for traffickers and scam syndicates moving people into large scam compounds in Cambodia.
Paetongtarn concluded the meeting with a call for national unity in fighting these crimes, thanking security and digital economy officials for their work and urging all agencies to “remain the eyes and ears of the public.”
“Our goal is a Thailand where people feel safe in their homes, in their communities, and on the internet,” she said. “We will not rest until every citizen can live without fear.”
