Thailand repatriates 200 Chinese nationals trafficked to Myanmar scam centres

THAILAND: Thailand has begun repatriating 200 Chinese nationals who were allegedly trafficked to Myawaddy, Myanmar, a city notorious for online scam operations.

The individuals are being flown back to China via commercial charter flights operated by China Southern Airlines from Mae Sot Airport.

According to Thai media outlet The Reporter, the second commercial plane arrived at Mae Sot Airport on 20 February to transport 50 Chinese nationals.

The total group of 200 individuals had been under the control of a scam syndicate in Myawaddy, which is overseen by the Border Guard Force (BGF).

China Southern Airlines is operating 16 flights between 20 and 22 February to repatriate Chinese nationals.

The flights arrive at Mae Sot Airport in Thailand before departing for Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport in China.

Regional effort to relocate trafficking victims

The repatriation effort is part of a larger operation to relocate over 1,200 victims of human trafficking from various nationalities.

The returnees, totaling 1,219, are currently under the custody of the BGF in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar, where their details are being registered before transfer.

Thailand’s Rachamanu Task Force of the Royal Thai Army, in collaboration with administrative and police units, has established a repatriation site at the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge 2 in Tha Sai Luad, Mae Sot, Tak Province.

Chinese nationals are being repatriated first, with other nationalities scheduled to follow from 23 February onwards.

The timeline for these transfers is being coordinated with Myanmar authorities.

The United Nations has reported that hundreds of thousands of individuals have been trafficked by criminal gangs and forced to work in scam compounds across Southeast Asia, including the Thailand-Myanmar border region.

Myanmar authorities recently detained 273 foreigners in scam centres around Myawaddy.

Chinese official visits border amid crackdown on scam operations

This action coincided with the visit of a senior Chinese official, Assistant Public Security Minister Liu Zhongyi, to frontier towns on both sides of the border.

Officials from China, Myanmar, and Thailand convened in Myawaddy earlier this week to discuss cooperative measures against telecom fraud.

According to Global New Light of Myanmar, their discussions focused on strengthening preventive mechanisms against transnational fraud networks.

Since late January, Myanmar authorities have identified 1,303 foreigners who illegally entered the country and worked in scam compounds in the Myawaddy region.

These individuals include the 273 people detained on 18 February.

Myanmar has been experiencing escalating conflict since its military overthrew an elected government in 2021, leading to a widespread rebellion.

Large portions of the country are controlled by armed groups, including the Karen National Army, which operates in parts of Myawaddy.

Colonel Saw Chit Thu, a militia leader, has pledged to combat scam operations and human trafficking in the region.

Thailand tightens border controls to combat human trafficking

In an effort to curb criminal activities, Thailand has imposed restrictions on electricity, fuel, and internet access in border areas, a measure that China has encouraged.

Last week, 260 victims of human trafficking from Myawaddy entered Thailand, with most identified as victims of scam operations, according to Tak Province Governor Choocheap Pongchai.

Two members of the group have been transferred to Thai police for further investigation.

The ongoing repatriation and crackdown on scam networks reflect growing regional cooperation against transnational crime.

Thailand, China, and Myanmar continue to work together to dismantle these illegal operations and ensure the safe return of trafficking victims to their respective home countries.