Thailand’s action comes amid growing concerns over the impact of transnational crime networks in Myanmar’s border areas, including Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Payathonzu. These compounds have been accuse

Thailand has cut electricity, internet and fuel supplies to five border areas in Myanmar, a senior Thai minister said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation steps up efforts to choke scam centres that have become a growing security concern.

BANGKOK -- The Thai government on Tuesday ordered the Provincial Electricity Authority to cut supply to Shwe Kokko, a Myanmar town where Thai and Chinese authorities say thousands of people, including their nationals, have been trafficked and forced to run online scams targeting victims around the world.

Thailand cut cross-border electricity supplies to five locations in Myanmar on Wednesday, in an effort to stamp out online scam centres blamed for scaring away Chinese tourists. Fears among Chinese tourists of being kidnapped and forced to work in scam centres was blamed for a sharp drop in visitor numbers over the Lunar New Year holiday last week.

Thailand will suspend electricity supply to some border areas with Myanmar in an effort to curb scam centres, its government said on Tuesday, amid growing pressure on the illegal compounds that have ensnared vast numbers of people of multiple nationalities.