Thai crackdown on Myanmar scam centers blights cross-border trade

Cutting power and fuel exports hits economy in western Thailand

20250221 Mae Sai in Chiang Rai

The economy in Mae Sai, as well as in other Thai border towns, has suffered as a result of the crackdown on scam centers in Myanmar. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT

BANGKOK -- The Thai government's crackdown on the online scam industry in neighboring Myanmar has brought cross-border land trade to a virtual standstill in many areas.

After being pressured by China, Thailand on Feb. 5 started cutting off electricity and curtailing fuel sold across the Myanmar border, often illicitly, forcing many people in the area to live without power or use diesel generators.

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