Thailand and the United States have agreed to deepen cooperation against transnational call centre gangs, human trafficking and forced labour networks operating across Southeast Asia. Thai police also revealed new evidence linked to the “O'Smach” network, including detention rooms, operating theatres and medical equipment, raising suspicions of possible organ trafficking.
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On 8 May 2026 at 10.30am, Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Deputy National Police Chief and director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre at the Royal Thai Police, joined Hataya Kussakul, Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the Ministry of Labour to announce the outcome of talks with the US government. The delegation visited the United States between 21 and 25 April to strengthen cooperation against transnational call centre gangs, human trafficking and forced labour.
Hataya said Thailand had met US agencies responsible for monitoring and assessing global human trafficking. Thailand has remained on the Tier 2 watchlist for four consecutive years and presented its progress on tackling trafficking, protecting labour rights and addressing forced labour issues.
She said the US praised Thailand’s integrated approach involving prevention, enforcement and policymaking. The US was particularly focused on arrest statistics, new laws, improved victim protection mechanisms and efforts to train officials in line with international standards.
US authorities also expressed concern over online trafficking and scam operations in Southeast Asia after American victims suffered losses exceeding US$10 billion. The US confirmed its commitment to working with Thailand on investigations, arrests and asset seizures linked to the networks.
Pol Gen Thatchai said the US had shown strong interest in call centre gangs operating in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, which target victims in more than 40 countries worldwide. Thailand also received praise for establishing a centre to monitor and assist victims of call centre scams, with the US considering a similar model.
Thai authorities shared intelligence on the “O'Smach” network, described as one of the region’s largest scam compounds involving more than 10,000 people. Investigators found detention facilities, forced labour sites and torture rooms, alongside operating theatres, X-ray machines and gynaecological equipment, leading to suspicions of links to organ trafficking.
Authorities said foreign nationals were still being lured into Thailand before being transferred to neighbouring countries to work for scam gangs. Many initially travelled voluntarily but were later subjected to forced labour and abuse.
Brazil’s embassy previously reported that at least 30 Brazilians had been deceived into working in Cambodia. Victims from Taiwan and Japan were also identified in similar cases, prompting Thailand to intensify efforts to prevent the country from being used as a transit point for organised crime.
The Thaitabloid reported that the Royal Thai Police is now preparing to expand cybercrime suppression through the SHIELD system, which will connect data-sharing networks across 18 countries and three major international organisations, including the FBI and Interpol.
Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 9 May 2026
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