Thailand’s Mae Sot – New crackdown on online scam centers has led to more than 7,000 people from around the world in Myanmar’s border towns, and those waiting for repatriation say an unprecedented number is urging Thailand’s resources across the border and causing delays.
Thailand, Myanmar and China have coordinated the crackdown this month after Thai Prime Minister Paetontarn Shinawatra’s visit to Beijing, where she told Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Thailand will take action against scam networks attracted by thousands of people.
They often use false excuses to lure them into scam centers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, where they exploit people around the world through false romance, false investment publicity and illegal gambling programs.
Many find themselves trapped in virtual slavery.
With fear of a possible humanitarian crisis, officials from Thailand, Myanmar and China are expected to meet next week to address the repressed logistics. Thanathip Sawangsang, spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Defense, told the Associated Press that they aim to establish repatriation guidelines to avoid confusion.
As part of Thailand’s crackdown, it also custodies scam centers in multiple regions in Myanmar, citing national security as a reason to create electricity, internet and gas supplies.
Southeast Asia Amy Miller, Amy Miller, the AIDS International Aid Group Act, headquartered in Thailand on the Myanmar border, told the Associated Press that she had never seen such a large-scale victim of human trafficking.
She believes the Thai authorities are doing their best, but the mission is overwhelming.
“For most governments, the ability to bring them to Thailand and deal with them and feed them and feed them is impossible,” she said. “It does require the embassy and the family governments of these citizens to be held accountable to their citizens. It does indeed require a global response.”
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai admitted concerns on Tuesday and said the agencies were dealing with the situation as quickly as possible to coordinate repatriation.
“I’m also worried that if we don’t hurry up the process, if they can’t cope and let them relax, that will become a problem,” Fumutum’s reporter in Bangkok said, referring to the Myanmar authorities.
Logistical issues include verification of identity, which complicates and slows down the national repatriation efforts.
Of the 7,000 waiting, more than half were Chinese, while the rest came from various countries.
More than 600 Chinese were repatriated in four days last week. Due to the large number, Thailand allows Beijing to handle most of the processing when returning to China. China rented 16 flights.
Earlier this month, about 260 people from Ethiopia to Brazil to the Philippines crossed the Thais from Myanmar as part of the crackdown. Thai officials say more than 100 remaining in Thailand are still waiting for repatriation.
Many people have been trafficked to Myanmar through Mae Sot, which is now the center of mass repatriation efforts.
On the road to Mae Sot, checkpoints show signs that Thailand, Britain and China warn Thais that foreigners are at risk of being trafficked to work on the Myanmar border. Soldiers inspected the vehicle Wednesday and asked for identification.
