BANGKOK (AP) – Approximately 260 individuals believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued from Myanmar and are set to be repatriated to their home countries, as announced by Thailand's army on Thursday. This operation is part of a broader crackdown on online scam centers operating across Southeast Asia.
The Thai army has indicated that they are working on repatriating these victims after they were sent from Myanmar to Thailand. These centers in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos have gained notoriety as hubs for criminal syndicates that are estimated to have coerced hundreds of thousands into running various online scams. These scams include deceptive romantic schemes, fraudulent investment pitches, and illegal gambling operations, which have collectively siphoned tens of billions of dollars from victims worldwide, according to experts from the United Nations.
The recent operation, which saw the victims moved across the border from Myanmar's Myawaddy district to Thailand's Tak province, involved a militia known as the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, which reportedly liberated the individuals from captivity. The Thai army’s statement disclosed that those rescued represent 20 different nationalities, with notable representations from Ethiopia, Kenya, the Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, and China. Other nationalities involved included those from Indonesia, Nepal, Taiwan, Uganda, as well as several countries in Africa and South Asia.
Authorities in Thailand revealed that the rescued individuals will undergo questioning to establish whether they are genuine victims of human trafficking. Once this determination is made, they will be processed for protection while awaiting repatriation. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, asserted that the country would only accept individuals ready to return to their home nations and would not establish a shelter for those still in need of assistance.
Phumtham elaborated on the necessity of thorough questioning to ensure the safety of the victims and to facilitate police investigations into the broader trafficking networks and scams. This operation follows a significant crackdown initiated in late 2023, triggered by China's concerns over illegal casinos and scam activities in Myanmar's northern Shan state. This resulted in the closure of many operations and the repatriation of approximately 45,000 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in these criminal activities.
The Thai government has taken additional measures to combat scam operations, including cutting off electricity and internet services to certain areas in Myanmar that are known for hosting these centers. This was part of a national security initiative intended to mitigate the damage caused by scams emanating from border areas.
Increasingly, troubling accounts have emerged of individuals, particularly from China, being lured to work in Thailand, only to find themselves trapped in scam centers in Myanmar. High-profile cases, such as that of Chinese actor Wang Xing, highlight the dangers faced by those caught in these networks. His situation garnered significant attention on social media, leading to a rapid rescue.
In response to the crisis of human trafficking and scams, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has committed to collaborating with Chinese leadership to dismantle these networks. China's Vice Minister of Public Security recently visited Thailand, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issues at the border.
As the situation continues to develop, Thai authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to combat human trafficking and dismantle the criminal networks that exploit vulnerable populations across the region.
