Thai Prime Minister Petonthan stated on the 19th that the series of anti-fraud measures taken by the Thai government have achieved significant success, and Thailand will continue to crack down on transnational crime.
Petonthan said that the Thai government recently cut off power and internet connections in the suspected fraud hotspots along the Thai-Myanmar border and stopped fuel supplies. Power consumption in the relevant areas of Myanmar has decreased by 40%, more than 300 people involved in the fraud zones have been sent to Thailand, and about 7,000 people are awaiting repatriation. The related actions have achieved significant results.
Petonthan mentioned that the Thai cabinet approved an emergency decree amendment to intensify the fight against cybercrime and fraud. This amendment requires financial institutions, telecom operators, and social media platforms to bear part of the responsibility for telecom and online fraud victims and is expected to take effect soon.
● Border Myanmar Residents Affected
The Thai government's cut of electricity, internet, and water resources has affected Myanmar people living in the border towns.
Driver Meng Ou from Myawaddy said, "We residents of Myawaddy recently have to spend more money to buy cooking oil and daily necessities. Because Thailand cut off the water supply, we in Myawaddy have to share water resources with other families to survive. Items like water, cooking oil, and gasoline have become more expensive. Previously, 20 liters of water was 1,300 kyats (about 2.75 ringgit), now it costs 2,500 kyats (about 5.28 ringgit)."
Meng Ou lamented, "I'm just an ordinary citizen, not very familiar with politics, and I don't know what to say. Anyway, everyone's life has become more difficult recently."