Thailand must act before the world loses faith

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul can no longer act innocently over the widespread scam centers in neighboring countries. He must give clear directions, not fumble when questioned by the press.

The US, the UK, and South Korea have already imposed sanctions on Cambodian tycoons and business groups running scam centers that exploit and harm foreign workers.

Seoul has even sent officials to investigate and help Korean citizens trapped in this dark web of online crime.

Thailand shares a long border with Cambodia. Dozens of scam centers are located along the volatile 789-kilometer frontier.

Although the common border has been sealed in recent months, the illegal activities have continued. That has raised troubling questions about who is supporting and protecting these scammers.

In response, Thailand has severed some internet links, restricted energy supplies, and limited electricity in certain areas to disrupt their daily operations.

But so far it has had little impact on their operations. They have alternative tools such as Starlink, electric generators, and dubious banking transactions.

Yet, despite these moves, the Anutin government has not seized the moment to work with the international community to combat this serious transnational crime.

Bangkok should have welcomed the Western sanctions against Cambodian entities and shown readiness to do the same. There is no reason.

Thailand cannot impose similar measures against those who enable such crimes. Thai banks must cooperate closely with authorities, as some may have provided services—knowingly or not—to these syndicates. Thailand has frequently been used as a money-laundering hub.

Thailand must be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Anutin will have a small window, until the end of March 2026, to make a difference. He can order a nationwide effort against these scammers. No more empty talk with a half-smile.

At the upcoming ASEAN Summit, the issue of online scams will surely be on the leaders’ agenda, as well as in their discussions with dialogue partners. It will likely be raised again at the East Asia Summit as an urgent matter.

The scale of this criminal industry is staggering. Victims come from all continents—from China to Malaysia, from India to the US and beyond.

Many of the workers inside these centers are victims themselves, lured by promises of high salaries and comfortable jobs. Once inside, they are under the scammers’ control.

Some manage to escape, while others simply disappear. Indeed, Thailand cannot pretend this is someone else’s problem.

The ongoing Thailand-Cambodia issue has already stirred strong emotions. Some nationalist groups and online influencers have fanned anti-Cambodian sentiment, even resorting to childish acts such as loudspeaker harassment along the border.

Such behavior only damages Thailand’s image and undermines its diplomatic standing.

Anutin must act, not talk. He should not let a handful of online influencers or self-proclaimed nationalists dominate the narrative. Every time Thailand cooperates with foreign police or intelligence, these people scream about “foreign interference.”

This nonsense must stop. No country can fight transnational crime alone, especially Thailand. Cooperation is not surrender—it is responsibility.

For instance, early this year, Thailand, China, and Myanmar carried out successful joint operations against the scammers, rescuing 9,000 victims from Myawaddy. Anutin should pursue similar joint cooperation on the eastern flank.

Thailand has strong institutions, but they lack direction. The Anti-Money Laundering Office can trace suspicious financial flows. The police can raid illegal compounds.

The Ministry of Digital Economy can shut down fake online platforms. But these agencies need coordination under one command. Only the prime minister can provide that leadership.

Truth be told, with the Thai banking system these days, scammers can move money through local accounts faster than authorities can trace it.

Stringent enforcement must be pursued for cross-border financial transactions. That is why Thailand needs tougher financial oversight and closer international cooperation.

The US, UK, and South Korea already have advanced cybercrime units. Thailand should welcome their assistance and show the country’s transparency.

This is the opportunity for Thailand to show leadership in ASEAN. Besides serving as chair of the ASEAN Working Group on Anti-Online Scams, the country has to do more as the frontline state concerning data sharing, prevention, investigation, and prosecution.

Indeed, Anutin must prove that Thailand is not a banana republic. He must act now and join hands with the international community to end the scam empire thriving in the country’s backyard.