Thai Opposition Calls for Crackdown on Border Scam Compounds

An ongoing crackdown on scam compounds along the Thailand-Myanmar border has seen limited success, with only a small number of workers being rescued. Opposition lawmaker Rangsiman Rome calls for more robust measures to dismantle these operations, pointing to government corruption and complicity for their continued existence.

An ongoing crackdown on scam compounds along Thailand's border with Myanmar has seen limited success, with opposition lawmaker Rangsiman Rome urging for tougher measures. Despite efforts supported by China to dismantle these operations in the heavily trafficked Myawaddy area, success remains limited.

Rangsiman, chairman of the national security and border affairs committee, highlighted the magnitude of the issue in an interview. He revealed that out of 300,000 workers in these compounds, fewer than 10,000 have been rescued. He warned that stopping now would allow these illegal businesses to persist.

This urgent crisis gained international attention following the abduction and rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing. Thailand has since cut off essential services to the region but Rangsiman argues authorities have not sufficiently targeted the kingpins and corrupt officials allowing these operations to thrive.