BANGKOK, Feb 5, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Thailand cut cross-border electricity
supplies to five locations in Myanmar on Wednesday, in an effort to stamp out
online scam centres blamed for scaring away Chinese tourists.

Scam compounds have mushroomed in Myanmar's lawless borderlands, run by
criminal gangs and staffed by foreigners trafficked and forced to work
swindling their compatriots in an industry analysts say is worth billions of
dollars.

Beijing has grown increasingly concerned about the centres as many of those
involved -- both victims and perpetrators -- are Chinese.

"Thailand has stopped the electricity supply to Myanmar in five locations
based on the decision of the National Security Council," Interior Minister
Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters.

Transmission was cut at two points in Mae Sai in the north, two in Mae Sot in
the west and one at Three Pagodas Pass, also in the west.

Anutin said electricity sales to Myanmar at these five locations earned
Thailand around 50 million baht ($1.5 million) a month.

"The electricity supply is not being stopped because the companies violated
the contract, but because the electricity is being misused for scams, drugs
and call centres," Anutin said.

"No one can accuse Thailand now of being part of supporting illegal
businesses."

The move came as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra travelled to Beijing
for talks with President Xi Jinping, with the scam centres likely to be on
the agenda.

Fears among Chinese tourists of being kidnapped and forced to work in scam
centres was blamed for a sharp drop in visitor numbers over the Lunar New
Year holiday last week.

China is a hugely important market for Thailand as it seeks to rebuild its
crucial tourism sector after the devastating impact of travel shutdowns
during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the scam centres were a
"national security issue".