Myanmar Junta Demolishes 150 Buildings at Scam Compound

Saw Tar Too

Myanmar’s military says it is tearing down nearly 150 buildings at KK Park, a sprawling scam compound on the Thai border, in what it claims is a major crackdown on cross-border cybercrime.

The announcement, made via state media on Sunday, follows last month’s raid on the notorious KK Park complex in Myawaddy township, where over 2,000 alleged scammers were discovered and 1,500 reportedly fled into Thailand. The junta now says 101 buildings have been demolished, with 47 more slated for destruction. Among them: dormitories, a four-storey hospital, and a two-floor karaoke parlour.

These compounds, often equipped with gyms, spas and luxury amenities, have become infamous for housing internet fraud operations targeting victims across Asia. While some workers are trafficked into these “cyber sweatshops,” others join willingly, lured by high earnings and lavish perks.

The demolition comes amid growing international pressure, particularly from China, whose citizens are frequently targeted by the scams.

Analysts suggest the junta is attempting to appease Beijing without undermining the lucrative networks that fund allied militias in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict.

Locals on both sides of the border have reported hearing explosions since the raids began, though independent verification remains elusive. Observers caution that the crackdown may be more performative than comprehensive, designed to signal action while preserving key revenue streams.

Earlier this year, China’s diplomatic push led to the repatriation of 7,000 scam workers, and Thailand responded with a cross-border internet blockade. Yet reports indicate KK Park and similar centres continued to expand, installing Starlink satellite receivers to bypass the Thai cut-off.

Following an AFP exposé, SpaceX confirmed it had disabled over 2,500 terminals linked to suspected scam operations in the region.

As Myanmar’s junta walks a tightrope between international scrutiny and domestic survival, the fate of KK Park may prove emblematic of a broader struggle: one between profit, power, and accountability.

-2025-11-09