Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Leaders of the Karen Border Guard Army (BGF), a major armed force in Myanmar's Myawaddy region, held a meeting and resolved to arrest and deport a group of Chinese businessmen and related personnel engaged in telecom fraud in Myawaddy, affecting an estimated 10,000 people. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phuttha stated that they had received reports that Myanmar had released approximately 261 innocent people and victims of telecom fraud, and that the entire group that previously defrauded Chinese actor Wang Xing of a job in Myawaddy had been arrested.
According to a report by Thai Channel 7, cited by the Sing Sian Daily, the BGF General Secretary, Soe Kyi Thu, and senior commanders Maung Win, Soe Tin Win, and Soe Mu Tong held a meeting and resolved to arrest and deport a group of Chinese businessmen and related personnel engaged in telecom fraud in Myawaddy. The plan is to transfer 500 people daily to Thailand via the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, and if Thailand does not object, the operation will begin on February 13th.
The report states that it was Sokchdu, along with Maung Win, Sotin Win, and Sok Mutong, who had previously approved Chinese businessmen to engage in telecom fraud in the country, who now hope to demonstrate to the Thai side through the "handover" of these individuals that they genuinely want to cooperate with Thailand to completely resolve the telecom fraud problem.
Thailand is prepared to accept 10,000 Chinese nationals transferred by the Karen Border Guard, but prior communication with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and other institutions is required.
Previous reports indicate that Chinese actor Wang Xing was lured to Thailand under the guise of work by a fraud ring in early January, then abducted to a fraud operation in Myanmar. After the news broke, Wang Xing was successfully released through joint efforts by China and Thailand, but the incident severely damaged Thailand's image and impacted its tourism market.
To revive tourism, Thailand implemented power, oil, and internet restrictions on Myanmar starting February 5th. There are also reports that local law enforcement is applying for arrest warrants based on evidence of human trafficking, attempting to detain Sokchdu, Sotin Win, and other leaders of the Karen Border Guard.
This move has impacted local telecom fraud gangs. Smaller companies have relocated, while larger ones have reduced their operations.
According to The Reporters, Putan stated on the 12th that he had received notification from Myanmar that approximately 261 innocent people and victims of telecom fraud had been released, and that about 7,000 more would be released subsequently. Thai authorities will contact the relevant countries of nationality to repatriate those received as soon as possible.
He stated that Thailand has no intention of establishing asylum centers for these individuals; they must return to their own countries. Before repatriation, Thai authorities will verify that they are genuine victims and have no connection to the fraud rings.
Putan also stated that he had received reports that the entire gang that previously defrauded Chinese actor Wang Xing of a job in Myawaddy had been arrested and will be dealt with according to the law.
Regarding the Thai police's plan to arrest Sokchul and others, Putan said that while arrest warrants exist, Thai law enforcement officers cannot cross the border into Myanmar to arrest them. However, if they enter Thailand, they will be arrested.
