As the sleepy waters of the Moei River drift lazily between Thailand and Myanmar, an unassuming yet sinister landscape of buildings stands tall in Myawaddy Township. Seen clearly from Thailand’s Tak province, these structures form what has been dubbed the “scam city” of Shwe Kokko—a nefarious hub that’s causing more than just ripples across Southeast Asian borders.
In a bold and decisive move, Thailand and China are joining forces to tackle the rapidly expanding web of illegal call centers nestled along the Thai border with Myanmar and Cambodia. These centers, often staffed by trafficked workers, operate with the sole intention of extorting unsuspecting victims through phone and online scams. On a mission to root out this criminal activity, Thai police announced on Friday the establishment of a coordination center at their national police headquarters in Bangkok. Simultaneously, Chinese authorities are gearing up for their own operation in Mae Sot district of Tak, directly across from the notorious Myawaddy.
“This Bangkok-based center will collaborate closely with Chinese counterparts to zero in on call center gangs entrenched in Myawaddy, Myanmar, and along the Cambodian border. These operations deeply involve both Chinese and Thai nationals,” stated the Royal Thai Police. Fervor filled the air with the announcement that this coordination center is slated to kickstart its operations in February, an assertion made following strategic talks between Thai and Chinese security officials in Bangkok.
Fulfilling the role of a burgeoning marketplace for telecom and online fraud, Southeast Asia—especially the regions bridging Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia—has seen a significant rise in such illicit activities since the Covid-19 pandemic’s onset. According to the United Nations, this boom has tragically trafficked hundreds of thousands of individuals into fraud centers that feed off desperation and existing vulnerabilities.
With public outcry escalating in Thailand, there’s mounting pressure on authorities to dismantle these scam compounds, which magnetically draw in workers from across the globe only to subject them to harsh, inhumane conditions. Over in China, similar concerns are peaking, especially following the dramatic abduction and eventual cross-border rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing from the clutches of one such compound in Myanmar.
In a unified front, Chinese state media reported on Tuesday that officials from China, Myanmar, and Thailand reached an understanding during a meeting in Kunming to obliterate telecom fraud centers in Myanmar. This spike in cooperative activity also witnessed a closed-door meeting this week between a Thai military delegation and Soe Win, the Myanmar junta’s second-in-command, in Nay Pyi Taw. The discussions, according to Myanmar state media, revolved around cracking down on human trafficking and online scams.
The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that the junta authorities, between October 2023 and January 2025, repatriated 55,000 foreign nationals from scam compounds back to their home countries, with the lion’s share being approximately 53,000 Chinese nationals. Uncomfortably, the report hinted at potential support for scam operations from neighboring countries, a notion firmly rebuked by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. “This issue extends beyond Thailand,” insisted Mr. Phumtham. “Myanmar and China need to play an active part too.”
As the intricate dance of diplomacy and security continues across Southeast Asia’s lush landscapes, the hope is that such combined efforts will finally untangle the intricate web of deceit spun by these scam cities. The road ahead is challenging, but with cooperation and determination, it’s a promising leap towards a safer future for countless vulnerable individuals whose voices are too often muted by the shadows of exploitation.
Finally, some action! These scam centers, like Shwe Kokko, are an absolute disgrace and have been ignored for too long.
Totally agree. But I wonder how effective this coordination will be. Corruption is rampant…
Good point, Anna. It’s an uphill battle for sure. I guess time will tell if this partnership is genuine.
Isn’t it a bit naive to think that a single operation can dismantle such deeply rooted crimes? Scams are a global issue.
True, but there has to be a starting point. Kudos to Thailand and China for attempting it.
Joe, you have a good point. Let’s hope it sparks more global efforts.
Sure, but I remain skeptical until I see real results.
Still, we should acknowledge any efforts to collaborate internationally on this issue.
No matter what, these call centers shouldn’t have ever been allowed to grow this much. Where were the authorities before?
Emma, I think the authorities were just overwhelmed or bribed. It’s really sad how long this took.
You’re probably right, Larry. It’s just frustrating to see people suffering due to these delays.
It’s so cool to see China and Thailand working together like this! Can’t wait to see the results.
But what about the people who were forced to work there? Do they get any compensation or help from the government?
Good question, Helen. I think support for workers will be crucial in ensuring their future safety.
Typically, these situations are so chaotic that individuals often fall through the cracks, which is unfair.
Working with Myanmar’s junta? Sounds like efforts might get wasted in political red tape.
Something tells me this effort is more about appeasing public outcry than actually changing anything.
Well, at least it’s a step in the right direction. Having both countries acknowledge and act against this issue is better than nothing.
I agree with Kim. Raising awareness often leads to change.
I hope this joint operation helps in reducing the number of scams affecting ordinary folks globally. It’s about time.
Exactly, Joe. While scams hurt victims, they also damage trust across borders.
I wonder how this operation will actually work? Coordinating between so many governments seems like a logistical nightmare.
I think they’ll manage, Nicolas. With tech, anything’s possible these days.
I’m worried those profiting from these scams will just move their operations elsewhere. This needs a more permanent solution.
You’re right. They always seem to find a way to adapt.
Scams are everywhere, online and offline. Countries need to keep up with new fraud tactics.
Would’ve been nice if other nations also joined in this mission. A broader coalition could exert more pressure.
Are there any plans on how to help the victims of these scams? It’s not enough just to arrest the criminals.
True, victim support has to be a part of the equation, Lynda.
Also, what happens to those caught up in these operations who aren’t criminals but were just trapped? A humanitarian perspective is needed.
Hopefully, they get proper aid and aren’t wrongfully punished.