Thailand, South Korea vow to tackle scam networks in Cambodia

Thailand has confirmed to South Korea its readiness to cooperate in tackling transnational online scam networks in Cambodia, said Traisuree Traisoranakul, secretary general to the Thai prime minister.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had a telephone conversation with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung while visiting Laos on Thursday, she said.

In their conversation, Anutin expressed Thailand’s readiness to help South Korea in dealing with the networks in Cambodia.

South Korea sent a joint response team to Phnom Penh following the death of a college student who had travelled to the country after being lured by job scammers.

In his post on X on Thursday, President Lee said that he had spoken with Prime Minister Anutin for the first time, adding that he hopes to meet him on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, to be held in Kuala Lumpur between October 26 and 28.

President Lee referred to Thailand as an important historical ally and one of the countries that sent troops to fight in the Korean War, adding that Thailand is also a strategic partner at regional and multilateral levels, such as in ASEAN, APEC and other international fora.

Thailand is also one of the most popular destinations for South Korean tourists, and numerous Thai artists have joined K-pop bands, according to the president.

He disclosed that they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, particularly under the framework of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Spokesman for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nikorndej Balankura said that the Kingdom is ready to support all countries in helping their citizens who are forced to work for scam call centres in Cambodia.

He noted that Thailand has been helping these victims for quite some time, as Thailand has also been affected by these scam networks.

He added that South Korea’s action in sending a team to Cambodia to help its citizens presents a good opportunity for closer cooperation between Thailand and South Korea in dealing with this menace.

Nikorndej also reconfirmed that Thailand will not reopen its border with Cambodia unless Phnom Penh accepts the four preconditions already specified — the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas, cooperation in mine clearance, cracking down on online scam networks in Cambodia, and managing Cambodian encroachment into Thai territory.