BANGKOK — Beginning Thursday, an airlift operation commenced to evacuate over 1,000 Chinese citizens previously employed at online scam centers located in eastern Myanmar. These workers were transported across the border into Thailand before boarding chartered flights back to China.
In the past month, Thailand, China, and Myanmar have collaborated to dismantle scam operations that have defrauded individuals worldwide of billions through deceptive romantic schemes, fraudulent investment opportunities, and illegal gambling activities. Reports suggest that hundreds of thousands from Southeast Asia and other regions have worked at similar centers in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, often lured with false job offers, leading many into situations akin to virtual slavery.
Recent statements from Thai officials indicated that as many as 10,000 individuals could be safely brought back from Myanmar, having escaped from these scam centers. To date, authorities have organized 16 flight operations—approximately four daily—specifically for the repatriated Chinese workers, who are being escorted by law enforcement. Due to the significant number of Chinese nationals involved, which currently stands at 1,041, Thailand has permitted Beijing to oversee the majority of their processing and investigative measures upon their return.
On Thursday, it was reported that the workers were crossing a bridge in groups of 50 from Myanmar’s Myawaddy into Thailand’s Mae Sot. There, processing protocols were implemented, including biometric scanning, before they were transported by bus to Mae Sot Airport. The flights, operated by China Southern Airlines, were tracked as heading towards Jinghong in Yunnan Province, southwest China.
Thai authorities are also managing the evacuation and facilitation of scam center workers from other countries. Last week, around 260 individuals from 20 different nations, many from Africa, were brought into Thai custody after escaping similar conditions.
Reports indicate that organized repatriation efforts for non-Chinese scam workers will commence on Sunday, as stated by Thai PBS. During a recent trip to Beijing, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured Chinese President Xi Jinping that Thailand would intensify its efforts against these scam networks. In a proactive measure ahead of her visit, Thailand had cut off electricity, internet, and gas supplies to various regions in Myanmar that host these scam centers, citing national security concerns and adverse impacts on Thailand’s reputation.
Thailand is eager to maintain good relations with China, especially due to widespread reports on Chinese social media concerning trafficking involving scam workers through Thailand. There are concerns that this situation may negatively influence the tourism sector, which is significantly profitable for Thailand.
The Border Guard Force in Myawaddy, comprised of the local Karen ethnic militia, has been facilitating the repatriation of foreign workers. However, this group has faced criticism, with allegations of providing protection to scam centers; they have denied the claims.
An initial crackdown on these scam operations occurred in late 2023, prompted by Chinese concerns regarding illegal activities along its border with Myanmar in the Shan State. Various ethnic guerrilla groups allied with Beijing intervened to shut down numerous operations, leading to the repatriation of approximately 45,000 Chinese individuals suspected of involvement in the scams.
