The Thai police and officials commenced an operation to cut off telecom signals and dismantle illegal cell sites surrounding the King’s Roman entertainment complex in the Golden Triangle on July 23, 2024. This move aims to combat call centers run by Chinese criminal gangs. The initiative, named “Blasting Bandits’ Bridge,” was launched following an order from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who recently visited Chiang Rai’s Chiang Saen district, adjacent to Myanmar’s Tachileik township.
The operation involves officials from Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Their goal is to terminate all telecom signals crossing into Myanmar and Laos from the border areas to prevent call center scam gangs from defrauding people. This effort is part of a broader strategy to target regions beyond the entertainment complex, extending into ‘no man’s land’ areas in Laos and Myanmar.
Pol Lt-Gen Tatchai Pitanilabutr, Assistant National Police Chief, explained that the NBTC had already canceled over two million cell phone numbers suspected of being used for illegal activities by call center gangs. Additionally, 179 cell sites across nine provinces have been disabled, and 33 individuals have been charged with providing internet and cell phone services to Myanmar illegally.
In a significant discovery, para-military rangers found an 11.5km subterranean internet cable stretching from Chiang Rai’s Mae Chan district into Myanmar. This finding highlights the sophisticated methods employed by criminal gangs to maintain their operations.
The Office of Energy Regulatory Commission had earlier announced potential increases in electricity prices from September through December, reflecting global price rises and currency depreciation. However, to alleviate the financial burden on households and businesses, the Cabinet decided to maintain the electricity price at 4.18 baht per unit and diesel at 33 baht per litre until the end of October.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed the police to arrest Thai nationals willingly working at these call centers and to provide weekly progress reports on the operation. Immigration officials at border checkpoints have also been directed to tighten the screening of Thai nationals traveling to Myanmar.
Authorities remain vigilant, with the NBTC working closely with law enforcement to prevent any further illegal transmission of signals. This collaboration aims to ensure that call center gangs cannot continue their operations unimpeded.
