Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

The Immigration Bureau has rejected allegations in a Reuters investigation that claimed Thai officials were complicit in trafficking foreign nationals into Myanmar to work in cyber scam centres. At a press conference on 20 September 2025, Police Major General Cherngron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, described the report as “essentially fictional” and urged the media to verify information before publishing.

 

The Reuters multimedia report, “They traveled to Thailand. They wound up cyber scam slaves in Myanmar,” was based on interviews with nine individuals from Africa and Asia who said they were trafficked through Thailand into Myanmar. One of the central accounts came from “Oly,” an East African IT consultant who claimed he arrived in Thailand in November 2024 and was handed over by an immigration officer to hotel staff at the baggage carousel before being taken to Myanmar. Thai media outlets republished the story, raising concerns over damage to the country’s reputation.

 

Pol Maj Gen Cherngron said a review of immigration records for November 2024 found 62 names similar to “Oly,” with only two from East Africa: a Ugandan man who travelled via Phuket and a Kenyan woman via Dubai. No Ethiopian nationals were recorded. He also pointed out that baggage areas at airports are restricted and even senior immigration officers cannot access them without clearance, challenging the plausibility of the account.

 

The official further noted that the alleged eight-hour journey from Bangkok to Mae Sot raised doubts, as the individual claimed to have slept throughout but also reported knowing the vehicle had gone off course. He stressed that Thailand has tightened checks since January 2025, targeting two groups: foreign nationals suspected of involvement in call centre scams and potential trafficking victims. To date, 16,538 people have been denied entry, including 303 from South Asia and Africa, while 5,278 interviews have been conducted to identify possible victims.

 

Pol Maj Gen Cherngron suggested the Reuters report followed a pattern of negative portrayals of Thailand in international media, citing the BBC documentary Dark Side of Paradise. He highlighted Thailand’s cooperation with foreign governments in dismantling trafficking networks and the repatriation of victims from Myanmar. He also said some individuals falsely claim victim status to avoid prosecution for scam involvement and these names are now flagged in immigration databases.

 

Kenya’s ambassador to Thailand, Lindsay Kiptiness, told Reuters he had supported hundreds of rescues of his citizens and said victims consistently reported being escorted through Thai airports by officials. However, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it had not received any direct reports of such allegations but would investigate any credible evidence.

 

“Reuters’ allegations are unfounded,” Pol Maj Gen Cherngron concluded, calling on Thai media to exercise caution in repeating unverified claims. The dispute underscores tensions between Thailand’s anti-trafficking efforts and international scrutiny of its role in regional cybercrime.

 

An illustration from the Reuters multimedia report

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Immigration dismissed Reuters’ trafficking claims as “fictional” after reviewing records.

• Authorities say strict screening since January 2025 has denied 16,538 high-risk entries.

• Kenya’s ambassador confirmed victims’ accounts but Thailand says no credible evidence was submitted.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-09-21

 

 

 

 

It's a shame that both, Reuters, and the Kenyan ambassador believe such nonsense stories. More likely that those people went to Myanmar voluntarily following some 'job offers', but then came back broke and had to make up a story to get consular assistance.

Well, they're hardly going to admit it, are they?

In another report they said Reuters had 'distorted facts.' It would be interesting to know which 'facts' are distorted.

Smoke and Fire ?

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police Major General Cherngron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, described the report as “essentially fictional” and urged the media to verify information before publishing.

Nope, it´s that man´s job to provide proof that the claim is untrue.

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Nope, it´s that man´s job to provide proof that the claim is untrue.

 

That's a new and innovative take on justice.

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Kenya’s ambassador to Thailand, Lindsay Kiptiness, told Reuters he had supported hundreds of rescues of his citizens and said victims consistently reported being escorted through Thai airports by officials.

It's hard to know what to believe but that's pretty damning. 

When all fingers are pointing your way, it becomes essential to try to divert those eyes by making any excuse possible. Rather than looking into the possibility the stories are true coming from a reliable news outlet. Tehy immediately make excuses like they are not permitted in the baggage area. Haha... The baggage area is directly after you pass immigration. Just a short path on the steps and you are in the luggage area. So this immigration reply does not seem feasible. 

21 hours ago, 2long said:

Well, they're hardly going to admit it, are they?

In another report they said Reuters had 'distorted facts.' It would be interesting to know which 'facts' are distorted.

That's how I see it, distorted facts are facts that exist

date, 16,538 people have been denied entry, including 303 from South Asia and Africa, while 5,278 interviews have been conducted to identify possible victims.

 

Where were the other 16,200 odd people from?

18 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Nope, it´s that man´s job to provide proof that the claim is untrue

Good luck proving a negative.  I wonder whether the Reuters reporter is Thai, or even speaks fluent Thai.  Not saying they are wrong, but not convinced they are correct. 

 

On 9/21/2025 at 10:24 AM, Georgealbert said:

Kenya’s ambassador to Thailand, Lindsay Kiptiness, told Reuters he had supported hundreds of rescues of his citizens and said victims consistently reported being escorted through Thai airports by officials.

Who are you going to believe? Given Thailands reputation for corruption among govt employees, not a difficult choice

7 hours ago, chawbdurian said:

On 9/21/2025 at 9:54 AM, Georgealbert said:

Kenya’s ambassador to Thailand, Lindsay Kiptiness, told Reuters he had supported hundreds of rescues of his citizens and said victims consistently reported being escorted through Thai airports by officials.

It's hard to know what to believe but that's pretty damning. 

 

Been to baggage claim numerous times, but never saw anything like that. Besides, how would those people be smuggled not only past Immigration, but also across the border?

11 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Been to baggage claim numerous times, but never saw anything like that. Besides, how would those people be smuggled not only past Immigration, but also across the border?

Just the VIP arrival packages I used a few times offer exactly this, maybe they confused that with being actual complicit to scammers. AKA the scammers arrange the flight arrival package and get them to their driver. I use the same service in Vietnam as well.

42 minutes ago, biggles45 said:

Who are you going to believe? Given Thailands reputation for corruption among govt employees, not a difficult choice

Exactly!!

1 hour ago, Kat Hao said:

Good luck proving a negative.  I wonder whether the Reuters reporter is Thai, or even speaks fluent Thai.  Not saying they are wrong, but not convinced they are correct. 

 

True, I have no clue either. I was just talking in general. For once it would be nice if authorities could just be able to back up what they refute.

Off topic post removed @Burma Bill this has nothing to do with the Cambodia conflict.

On 9/21/2025 at 10:24 AM, Georgealbert said:

described the report as “essentially fictional” and urged the media to verify information before publishing.

"Weasel words" are vague or ambiguous terms used to create the impression of a clear statement while actually being inconclusive or misleading, often allowing the speaker to avoid responsibility or commitment. They are a form of equivocation, where the speaker wants to sound meaningful but delivers only a vague or unsubstantiated claim. This tactic is used in advertising, politics, and other rhetoric to disguise biases or to hedge against negative feedback without being specific. 

Examples of weasel words and phrases 

• "Some people say..." (one of Twitler's favorites)
• "It is thought..."
• "It is believed..."
• "Most people claim..."
• "In most respects..."
• "Somewhat..."

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