ABC News Thailand cuts electricity supplies to Myanmar border villages in an effort to combat scam rings. Thailand on Wednesday cut off power supplies to areas in Myanmar where fraud networks operate, following a public uproar demanding government action to address the problem. By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI, Associated Press February 5, 2025, 11:17 AM At 1:10, ABC News presents international headlines.Catch up on the latest headline-making stories from around the world. The Associated Press Bangkok — Thailand cut off power supplies to areas in Myanmar where scam networks operate on Wednesday, responding to a public uproar calling for government action to address the issue. Parts of Myanmar that border Thailand, especially Myawaddy and Tachilek, are regarded as havens for criminal syndicates that have enslaved hundreds of thousands of people throughout Southeast Asia and elsewhere into helping run online scams including false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes.

Such scams have stolen tens of billions of dollars from victims around the world, while those recruited to carry them out are frequently duped into accepting jobs under false pretenses and imprisoned in virtual servitude. Thailand’s National Security Council and other government agencies met on Tuesday and agreed to cut off electricity, internet, and gas supplies to five Myanmar towns near Thailand’s northern border, citing national security concerns and the severe damage caused by scam operations. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who oversaw the procedure at the Provincial Electricity Authority’s Bangkok headquarters, estimated that the annual revenue from electricity sales in these districts was around 600 million baht ($17.8 million). Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated Tuesday that scams have caused an estimated damage of 80 million baht ($2.3 million) to Thailand a day.