Thai authorities are intensifying their investigation into allegations connecting Saw Chit Thu, the leader of the Karen National Army, to transnational crimes linked to illicit scam operations.
Thai officials are poised to make a significant decision on Monday regarding the potential arrest of **Saw Chit Thu**, who has emerged as a key figure in illegal business activities along the **Myanmar** border in **Myawaddy**. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is actively pursuing this high-profile warlord, meeting with the Department of Trafficking in Persons Litigation at the Office of the Attorney-General to discuss the case.
On Monday, these agencies are expected to determine the next steps for requesting an arrest warrant based on gathered evidence, according to sources with knowledge of the proceedings.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong has briefed the National Security Council (NSC) on intelligence related to Saw Chit Thu and the Karen National Army (KNA), previously known as the Border Guard Force (BGF), highlighting their alleged involvement in various illegal activities. The briefing included several prosecutors, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Concerns were raised by **Rangsiman Rome**, a member of the People’s Party, who questioned the delays from the Attorney-General’s Office in approving the DSI’s request for an arrest warrant, especially given Saw Chit Thu’s notoriety and existing sanctions from multiple countries.
Saw Chit Thu is reportedly linked to the scam center operations in Shwe Kokko, established in partnership with Yatai International, owned by notorious Chinese gambling figure **She Zhijiang**. She was arrested in Bangkok in 2022 on an international warrant and is currently appealing an extradition order to China.
As of Tuesday, the DSI has sought arrest warrants for Saw Chit Thu and fellow BGF leaders Lt Col Mote Thone and Maj Tin Win, related to allegations of human trafficking involving Indian nationals coerced into working in fraudulent call centers.
Contrary to these allegations, Saw Chit Thu contended that his group has actively fought against human trafficking, claiming to have rescued and repatriated many victims.
The rights organization Justice for Myanmar has previously reported on the BGF’s connections to Chinese-run online scams and illegal gambling operations in Myawaddy, indicating deep-rooted issues within the region.
In December 2023, the UK imposed sanctions on Saw Chit Thu due to allegations of human trafficking and human rights violations, a stance echoed by the EU against both Saw Chit Thu, Mote Thone, and Tin Win.
The anticipated arrest warrant would signal the Thai government’s commitment to addressing the call center scam epidemic at its source, as emphasized by Rangsiman’s commentary in his role as chairman of the House standing committee on state security.
In a related action, the Immigration Bureau has reassigned the Tak immigration police chief to an inactive role pending an investigation into the influx of individuals lured into scam operations in **Myanmar** via the Tak region. This reassignment follows the earlier transfers of five other senior police officials in Tak for similar reasons.
