Karen state’s Border Guard Force (BGF) has reached out to Thai officials, requesting assistance in repatriating victims of human trafficking from Myanmar.
Following Thailand’s cessation of electricity and internet to cyber scam operations in Myawaddy Township, the BGF initiated a targeted effort against human trafficking.
On Thursday, BGF chief Maj General Saw Chit Thu dispatched two identical letters seeking aid, one to Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and the other to Col Natthakorn Ruentip, head of the Ratchamanu Taskforce that oversees border security in Tak province.
These letters assert that the BGF has successfully identified, arrested, and suppressed human traffickers and fraudsters involved in illegal activities under the guise of “investment projects” in their area.
Maj General Saw Chit Thu, a stakeholder in the $15-billion Shwe Kokko new city project in Myawaddy, is known for its rampant illegal activities including gambling, human trafficking, and cyber fraud.
The leader of the BGF stated that starting on Saturday, February 15, a significant group of individuals would be moved across the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge from Myawaddy to the neighboring Thai town of Mae Sot.
He further emphasized that the BGF would enhance its collaboration with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand and sought support from Thai officials.
It is believed that the BGF is facing pressure from its allies in the Myanmar junta and China following prominent reports that Chinese celebrities were trafficked to scam centers in Myawaddy earlier this year.
A source disclosed that the BGF has detained around 500 foreign nationals during its operations against call center syndicates operating along the border.
This action by the BGF follows Thailand’s February 5th shutdown of utilities to five border regions in Myanmar, including Myawaddy, Tachileik, and Phaya Thonsu, as a measure to tackle call center fraud.
