In the bustling border town of Poipet, a pair of imposing buildings loom large over the landscape, attracting attention for all the wrong reasons. On the left, a structure allegedly serves as the headquarters for a call centre scam operation headed by a notorious Chinese crime boss known only as Xiao Ma. To its right stands another ominous building, a place that has become infamous as the residence for the gang’s victims. It was here, from the 14th floor, that a tragic fall claimed the life of a Thai victim, casting a spotlight on the dark operations within.
This heart-wrenching incident has mobilized Thai authorities, who are now collaborating with their Cambodian counterparts to dismantle these nefarious call centre gangs. CCTV footage captured the fateful fall of Alongkorn Deeying, a resident of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province, from the 14th floor of the 18-story building in Poipet, just across from Thailand’s Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province.
Leading the charge in this complex and sensitive investigation is Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). He, along with the immigration police and several other agencies, is diligently cooperating with Cambodian officials to uncover the circumstances that led to Alongkorn’s untimely demise. Although initial checks revealed that Alongkorn was not the subject of any arrest warrant, details about his role within the building remain elusive.
“We must await the official reports from our partners across the border,” stated Pol Lt Gen Trairong. Yet, whispers and gathered intelligence suggest that the real culprits, reputedly linked to call centre fraud and online gambling networks, might operate from another closely situated building.
The complexities deepen with the revelation that these infamous complexes serve as bustling hubs for several illegal enterprises, ranging from online gambling, the drug trade to human trafficking. These allegations find corroboration in the past statements made by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. While campaigning in Chiang Mai, he pinpointed a similar building as the epicenter of scam operations. His assertions have since been validated, and have spurred the CCIB to coordinate efforts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and nations throughout the Mekong River region to combat these criminal enterprises.
“The casino and call centre gangs operate from the 18-storey building,” police sources confirmed. “Many Thai workers, deceitfully lured into these scams, have been victimized here. The building has a dark history, with multiple incidents of individuals falling from its heights.”
In a parallel stride towards justice, Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepchamnong, commander of Provincial Police Region 2, reported the arrest of a human trafficking syndicate responsible for smuggling Thai citizens to Cambodia. More chilling is the involvement of Xiao Ma’s gang in defrauding several individuals, including one high-profile victim, Charlotte Austin, a Miss Grand Thailand 2022 pageant finalist, who lost a staggering four million baht.
For Pinnapha Deeying, the mother of the deceased Alongkorn, the events following her son’s tragic death are both surreal and inexplicable. She has implored his colleagues to shed light on what truly transpired that fateful day. Her son, who had visited her on a Monday night in Nong Prue district, shared plans of working in Ratchaburi Province with friends—a conversation that, unbeknownst to them, would be their last.
“I learned about his fall from the news,” Pinnapha lamented. “But reaching him, knowing was impossible.”
This tragic narrative—a reflection of the immense pressure and potentially despairing conditions within scam operations in Cambodia—has indeed captured public attention. And as the investigation proceeds, Thai and Cambodian authorities remain resolute in their mission to bring justice to the victims and dismantle the malignant networks of deceit that continue to haunt the region.
This is bananas! The story about those tragic falls from buildings makes Poipet sound like a crime drama set. How can such operations go unchecked for so long?
I agree! These buildings are like sinister monuments to crime. It’s shocking that gambling, drugs, and human trafficking run so openly across the border.
Right? It’s like a horror movie, except it’s real life. Maybe the authorities are involved, and that’s why they’ve been untouchable for so long.
Or maybe the authorities are grossly under-resourced and overpowered by these crime syndicates. Corruption is rampant everywhere, not just in Poipet.
Let’s not jump to conclusions. The fact that Thai and Cambodian authorities are working together now is a good sign. Slow, but progress is progress.
True, but how many more tragedies like this will it take before real changes happen?
I’m curious about the role of international cooperation in these operations. Can countries like the US or UK influence this crackdown?
International pressure might help, especially if major nations demand action. But it’s also up to regional cooperation. Like Thaksin mentioned, alliances in the Mekong region are crucial.
Exactly, aid and intelligence sharing could expedite the process. This is more than a regional issue—it’s global.
How involved are these ‘call centre’ people really with the crimes? Seems like scapegoating if you ask me.
Well, Alongkorn’s case shows real dangers. Whether they’re fully involved or coerced somehow doesn’t mean they’re less culpable.
True, but it’s complicated. I just think not everyone was willingly parting with information. Some might have been victims themselves.
That’s a fair point. It’s important for the investigation to differentiate between perpetrators and victims caught in the system.
These situations always highlight systemic failures. Call it conspiracy, but it’s clear the networks have many influential people backing them.
Definitely. Money talks and criminals with a lot of it often find ways to shield their operations. Following the money is crucial and difficult.
Poor Pinnapha. I can’t imagine losing my child like that. Her son’s death better not be in vain.
Do you really think these scams will ever stop? There’s always someone worse out there ready to take over.
Sadly, yes, the wheel keeps turning. But more awareness and mitigating risks can at least reduce the scale of such crimes.
Not stopping entirely doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Each step taken prevents further loss, and societies improve over time.
What about the environmental impact of these shady structures? Aren’t these buildings an eyesore disrupting what’s left of Poipet’s natural beauty?
It’s crazy how crime and prosperity seem intertwined there. Gambling attracts money but also brings chaos.
Poipet’s paradox: Money masquerading as progress but underneath, deception and despair.
The local economy benefits at too great a cost: exploitation and tragedy. Change must come from within those communities too.
It’s crucial to get justice for the victims, but also to provide exit strategies and support for those trapped in these scams.
Having visited that border post, Poipet felt a world apart, it’s surreal to see it in the news like this—no wonder there’s so much room for secrecy.
If Charlotte Austin could lose that much knowingly, imagine the untold fortunes these syndicates have swindled from those less aware.
Thailand and Cambodia should focus on youth education in vulnerable areas to prevent new generations from falling into the same traps.