Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, had visited the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) headquarters to oversee the electricity cut-off process at five locations connected to Myanmar following the order from the National Security Council (NSC).
On February 4th, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers of Defense, who serves as the NSC Chairman, signed an official directive ordering the PEA to cut off electricity on February 5th.
This move aims to deter scams operating in border areas between Thailand and Myanmar after numerous reports of shady activities at the border, especially when Chinese actor Wang Xing was abducted and later rescued in January. The UN estimated that hundreds of thousands of people are now being forced to work in scam centers like this across Southeast Asia.
To protect the country’s image, tourism, and national security, the NSC decided to cut power in areas suspected of housing scam compounds. The total power cut amounted to 20.37 megawatts across five locations, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of over THB50 million per month or approximately THB600 million per year.
Furthermore, there is now a resolution calling for a review and revision of previous Cabinet decisions permitting electricity sales to neighboring countries, ensuring they can address the current situation. When the original resolution was passed, there was no such thing as call centers or scammers.
As for the alternative power source Myanmar is seeking, that matter is no longer Thailand’s concern.
