Crime Secret Tunnel at Thai-Cambodian Border Exposed in Crackdown on Call Centre Gangs

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thaii Rath

 

SA KAEO - In a startling revelation, PEOPLE’s Party leaders discovered a now-blocked tunnel used for illicit crossings into Cambodia. Found at the back of a department store in Sa Kaeo's Aryanyathet district, this notorious hole was a pathway for those seeking illegal work with call centre scammers and gamblers, according to Col. Methee Khamtem of the Burapha Task Force.

 

Despite the closure of this crossing, multiple illegal routes still exist along the Thai-Cambodian border. The military faces challenges patrolling private properties, but efforts have intensified with reduced internet signals on the Thai side and the installation of barbed wire and checkpoints.

 

Round-the-clock CCTV surveillance and joint patrols with Cambodian soldiers add to the crackdown, with villagers actively reporting suspicious activities.

 

Deputy leader Rangsiman Rome, also chairing a national security committee, highlighted ongoing actions against call centre gangs thriving in Cambodia.

 

While some progress has been achieved, the operations across the border remain alarming, with reports of violence complicating efforts. Rome suggested potential international legal avenues to curb these criminal networks and emphasised a comprehensive strategy to dismantle their operations.

 

Meanwhile, the Thai government continues dialogues and cooperation with Cambodian authorities to further mitigate this cross-border crime.

 

These operations have shown mixed results as gangs quickly adapt to authorities’ methods, persisting in their illegal activities. This complex situation underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and collaboration between nations to effectively address and resolve the issue.

 

Despite these challenges, the commitment of local and international authorities reflects a broader attempt to disrupt and dismantle these deeply entrenched criminal activities. The focus remains on securing borders and ensuring the safety of communities affected by these illicit operations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-07

 

 

[Luka77]

do they provide border run stamps lol

[AAArdvark]

Seems like it would be easier to close down the scamming facilities. 

[TheFishman1]

If they really wanted to shut down the call scam centers they could do it very easily somebody up there is getting some brown envelopes on a weekly basis TIT

[MadAtMatrix]

2 minutes ago, AAArdvark said:

Seems like it would be easier to close down the scamming facilities. 

You think the Cambodian government is going to close down their source of income?

[factual monk]

Bulls...

[Peterphuket]

It seems we are close to Gaza.

[newbee2022]

Who digged the tunnel?

Thai army?

[Jimjim1]

8 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

digged

Really!

[Homburg]

Did they find anyone in the tunnel? Tony? Hun Sen? Bob?

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, Homburg said:

Did they find anyone in the tunnel? Tony? Hun Sen? Bob?

 

I heard Tom, Dick and Harry were caught down there.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

this notorious hole was a pathway for those seeking illegal work with call centre scammers and gamblers, according to Col. Methee Khamtem of the Burapha Task Force.

If it was notorious, why wasn't it dealt with before ?

Or shouldn't i ask?

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Who digged the tunnel?

Thai army?

Dug ?

[NanLaew]

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

Dug ?

 

Yeah, the buy with the shovel was called Doug.

 

The other guy? The one without the shovel?

 

That's Douglas.

[newbee2022]

50 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Dug ?

Duck ?

 

[radiochaser]

So, tunnel diggers are not just the North Korean military digging tunnels under the Korean border, drug/human smugglers digging under Mexican and American borders,  and hamas digging tunnels, but now Cambodian and Thai borders.

[bristolgeoff]

I knew thais before from issan went over freely at certain pts.Come back home same day.A Tunnel found looks good for the tv,I Imagine many more tunnels exist too

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, radiochaser said:

So, tunnel diggers are not just the North Korean military digging tunnels under the Korean border, drug/human smugglers digging under Mexican and American borders,  and hamas digging tunnels, but now Cambodian and Thai borders.

They come for the Som Tam, Mango and sticky rice... such a draw

[radiochaser]

On 7/7/2025 at 5:26 PM, hotchilli said:

They come for the Som Tam, Mango and sticky rice... such a draw

One reason I go to Thailand is for the mango and sticky rice!   It's a minor reason to go but still ...

 

The sticky rice I can eat in the U.S. of A. is just as good as Thailand but the mango is OK to barely edible.