Thaksin Pressed to Tackle Cambodian Call-Centre Scams

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Thaksin Shinawatra. File photo/Creative Commons License

 

In an intriguing turn of events involving Thailand's political heavyweights, Thaksin Shinawatra, now a dominant figure within the Pheu Thai party, has been urged to leverage his long-standing connections with Cambodia to curtail notorious call-centre scams. These scams, operating from Cambodian cities Poipet and Sihanoukville, have been preying on unsuspecting victims across the border in Thailand.

 

Thaksin, who shares a robust rapport with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, could discreetly persuade Cambodian authorities to dismantle these transnational operations. According to Paradorn Pattanathabut, a former National Security Council secretary-general in Thailand, Thaksin's intervention is expected to be quiet yet impactful, drawing on his ties with the Cambodian leadership.

 

The intensified focus on Cambodian scams arises amid concerns that the crackdown on similar activities in Myanmar could lead perpetrators to shift base. Thaksin's personal involvement is perceived as pivotal, considering his strategic influence and past dealings in the region. Paradorn suggests that Thaksin's actions against these scams in Cambodia follow a recent Thai government directive to cut electricity to Myanmar's scam hotspots, heavily reliant on Thai power.

 

While Myanmar's cities like Tachileik and Myawaddy have begun feeling the pinch from cut power supplies and halted internet signals aimed at destabilising scam infrastructures, the Cambodian locales remain unaffected by such measures due to their independent supply systems. Poipet, in particular, sits right across from Thailand's Aranyaprathet district, adding a layer of complexity to bilateral crime-fighting efforts.

Police Inspector-General Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut has voiced concerns that if unchecked, these scammers might shift operations to Cambodian provinces bordering Thailand, such as Battambang and Pailin. Thus, Paradorn's call for Thaksin to act is not just about utilising his influence but prioritising public interest over potential personal or commercial gains.

 

Amid this backdrop, critics have scrutinised Thaksin's involvement, suspecting his motivations could include safeguarding financial interests tied to Thai-Cambodian ventures. Notably, a memorandum of understanding, signed during his time as Prime Minister, concerns joint developments of natural resources in contentious Gulf areas. This has sparked speculation about his willingness to maintain these ventures at the public's cost.

 

In urging Thaksin to aid in the dismantling of these scams, the spotlight remains on how effectively political clout can be wielded against transnational crime. Without concrete action, the integrity of Thai-Cambodian cooperation remains at stake, and the pressure mounts for Thaksin to demonstrate that public interest is paramount.

 

As the situation evolves, the ramifications for Thailand-Cambodia relations and regional security could be significant, transforming this political manoeuvring into a decisive moment in regional crime prevention, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2025-02-08