Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Thai government's controversial strategy to halt power, oil, and Internet services in border areas near Myanmar has led to a significant decrease in call scam incidents, cutting losses by over 200 million baht. This drastic move, initiated on February 5, aimed to tackle the pervasive cybercrime threatening these regions.

 

Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong disclosed that since implementing the service disruptions, cybercrime cases have fallen by 20%. In February, 25,487 cases were reported compared to 31,159 in January, indicating a considerable decline in malicious activities.

 

Specifically, call scams have seen a dramatic 67% drop in complaints, previously exceeding 1,000 filings daily. Reports from the Anti-Online Crime Centre highlighted that damage claims via the 1441 Hotline decreased by 30%, translating to monetary losses being 200 million baht lower than in January.

 

 

 

This success marks a pivotal achievement in the government's mission to dismantle call scam operations known for exploiting border areas. While the power cuts have attracted criticism due to their adverse effects on local communities, the substantial reduction in financial damages underscores their effectiveness.

 

The Thai government now faces the challenge of sustaining its cybercrime crackdown while addressing the concerns of those impacted by these sweeping measures in border regions. The need to balance crime prevention with community welfare remains a pressing issue as authorities push forward in their fight against online criminality, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-18

 

 

Is pulling random numbers out of thin air, Thailand's national sport?

I’m sure they did some damage to the scammers. Well done to this government. 
The old junta government wouldn’t have pulled this off

Nice to see them do something useful for once.

15 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

I’m sure they did some damage to the scammers. Well done to this government. 
The old junta government wouldn’t have pulled this off

I think it was contraversial because people THIS side of the border were enjoying commissions.

Well done.  A good start.

16 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

The old junta government wouldn’t have pulled this off

it wasn't such an issue back then was it?