Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling in Tachileik Leads to Multiple Arrests
PUBLISHED: 16 Feb 2025 at 07:00
In a significant operation in Tachileik, Myanmar, authorities have arrested 29 individuals, including seven Thai nationals and 22 Myanmar nationals, on accusations of involvement in illegal online gambling and fraudulent activities. The crackdown was executed by Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC) between Wednesday and Friday.
The first 16 individuals arrested, all Myanmar nationals, were apprehended during a raid on a facility rented by a Thai national, where authorities confiscated a substantial amount of illegal equipment, including 61 laptops, 329 computer screens, and various mobile devices.
On Thursday, an additional 13 suspects, among them seven Thai citizens, were detained at another location in Tachileik. Authorities recovered 50 computers, approximately 300 mobile phones, one liter of opium juice, and 30 bottles of cough syrup during this raid.
Reports suggest that these online gambling operations were allegedly managed by a Thai couple residing in Chiang Mai, attracting numerous workers, primarily Thais and Chinese, to the facilities.
This crackdown follows Thailand’s strategic decision to sever electricity, oil, and internet services in regions of Myanmar determined to be connected to online gambling and scams.
During a meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra conferred with security personnel, military leaders, and Royal Thai Police officials to discuss ongoing efforts against call center scams, human trafficking, and drug trafficking in border areas. The summit included a review of the armed forces’ proposals to enhance security efforts, focused on maintaining the government’s initiative to cut off essential services in areas known for hosting gambling and scamming operations.
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai was also present at the meeting, where officials acknowledged that cutting off energy and internet services has proven to be an effective strategy. Myanmar authorities are exploring options to facilitate the return of workers who have been trapped in scam facilities across the border.
The Prime Minister has tasked the border policy committee with accelerating these initiatives and delivering a progress report within a month.
