Thailand is contemplating a border wall with Cambodia to combat illegal crossings and human trafficking associated with scam networks. The decision follows a recent crackdown on scam centers and rising scrutiny over trafficking issues. A Thai government spokesperson mentioned that the proposal is still under study, with no details provided on its specific implementation.
The government of Thailand is contemplating the construction of a border wall along sections of its frontier with Cambodia in response to increasing incidents of illegal crossings. This initiative aligns with a broader, multinational effort to dismantle illicit scam networks that have proliferated in Southeast Asia, particularly near the porous borders with Myanmar and Cambodia. Recent reports indicate that these networks have resulted in the trafficking of hundreds of thousands of individuals by organized crime groups, as highlighted by United Nations data.
In a recent operation, Thai police successfully recovered 119 nationals who were returned from Cambodia following a raid in Poipet. This raid led to the extraction of over 215 individuals from a scam compound. Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub remarked, “If it is done, how will it be done? What results and how will it solve problems? This is a study,” underscoring the proposal’s preliminary status without detailing the specific dimensions or design of the wall.
The Thailand-Cambodia border extends for 817 kilometers (508 miles). Historically, the Thai defense ministry has suggested erecting a wall to restrict access to a specific 55-kilometer crossing between Sa Kaeo province and Poipet, which is currently secured only by razor wire. These telecom fraud operations have been active in Southeast Asia for years, affecting individuals globally, even as far as West Africa.
The scrutiny of these operations intensified following the high-profile rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was deceived into traveling to Thailand under the pretense of employment and subsequently kidnapped to a scam center in Myanmar. In Myawaddy, Myanmar, over 7,000 foreign nationals, predominantly from China, are in limbo, awaiting to transit to Thailand as part of coordinated repatriation efforts involving various embassies.
In conclusion, Thailand’s consideration of a border wall with Cambodia is a significant response to an escalating crisis involving human trafficking and financial scams. The proposed wall is part of a larger crackdown on the scam centers that operate along its porous borders. The ongoing humanitarian issues and trafficking concerns highlight the need for cohesive regional strategies to combat these threats effectively. The government’s commitment to addressing these issues reflects a serious acknowledgment of the challenges posed by organized crime within Southeast Asia.
Original Source: stratnewsglobal.com
