Thailand has cut off electricity supplies to five areas of Myanmar, which are known as hubs for the call centre scam industry, but has this had any real effect?

“We have to take care of our people first. What has happened has a great impact on the Thai people and a great impact on the country’s image. If we have sympathy but prioritise incorrectly, it will lead to prolonged and continuous problems,” said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday (4 February) after the government was called to cut off power to the towns of Tachileik, Payathonzu, and Myawaddy in Myanmar

The affected areas are reportedly centres of online gambling and notorious scam centres. It was reported that over 500,000 people have fallen victim to these scam gangs, causing damage of over 80 billion baht.

The Thai government on Wednesday (5 February) decided to cut electric power to Myanmar in five locations. The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) revealed that electricity sold to these five locations was worth around 800 million baht.

1. Ban Mueang Daeng – Tachileik, Shan State (operated by Allure Group)
2. Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge – Tachileik, Shan State (operated by Allure Group)
3. The second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge – Myawaddy, Karen State (operated by Nyi Naung Oo Co Ltd and Enova Grid Enterprise (Myanmar) Co Ltd)
4. Ban Huai Muang – Myawaddy, Karen State (operated by Shwe Myint Thaung Yinn Industry and Manufacturing Co Ltd)
5. Ban Chedi Sam Ong – Payathonzu, Mon State (operated by Mya Pan Investment and Manufacturing Co Ltd)

The government and National Security Council also agreed to cut internet services and fuel supplies. The Mae Sot Customs Office temporarily suspended fuel exports. No fuel is being weighed for shipment, and tank trucks remain parked at the border crossing. Residents in Myawaddy crowded gas stations to stock up on fuel.

What do Myanmar residents think about the action?

Before the power cut took effect, Karen people residing in Myawaddy told Prachatai that only certain areas would be affected, while people in the other parts would continue to access electricity as usual.

People in Myawaddy were not systematically prepared for the power outrage. Some users, such as restaurants, religious sites, gas stations and wealthy households used generators or solar panels. Most residents rely on portable solar cells or even candles. However, these s were not prepared specifically in response to the power cut.

In terms of healthcare, people in Myawaddy normally cross the border to seek medical treatment in Thailand.

It is estimated that the power cut will primarily affect businesses and is not likely to cause an influx of people fleeing to Thailand. Most people who flee to Thailand do so because of war rather than power cuts.

A source mentioned that most people in the area use the Thai internet providers AIS and Dtac, and some businesses may rely on the Myanmar military-owned Mytel. The source also pointed out that most scammers use Starlink, making internet cuts less impactful.

Use of Starlink not solely limited to scammers

Since the 2021 coup in Myanmar, when the military blocked internet access, people have turned to alternatives like SpaceX’s Starlink.

Initially, Starlink was reported to be used by humanitarian organisations. David Eubank, Director of the Free Burma Rangers, said this was one of few ways to enable displaced people in Karen State to send messages out. The Karenni Hope group also used this technology to establish an internet café, allowing people in the state to stay in touch with their families living abroad.

According to a Voice of America report, Starlink was also used by volunteer medical personnel in order to communicate, which saved people’s lives. In addition, 20 news outlets used it to report on the situation in Myanmar.

Starlink devices have been brought into Myanmar through networks of Myanmar expats, passing through Thailand before being distributed along the border.

Power cut: a short term solution

Lalita Hanwong from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Kasetsart University, said Myawaddy has multiple users, such as temples, schools, and hospitals, and not all power lines supply only scammer compounds. She said Myanmar has long struggled with power stability, so several large buildings that consume significant amounts of electricity have power generators. Cutting electricity supplies, therefore, is merely one way to intercept scammers’ activities, but it does not completely eliminate them.

However, she sees power cuts as a part of the government's response to public pressure, showing that at least some action has been taken.

Lalita also raised concerns about the government’s plan to discuss the issue with China, questioning whether China genuinely wishes to collaborate or if it seeks to compromise Thailand’s security.

She mentioned the case of Laukkaing, Shan State, which is under Chinese influence, where Chinese police raided scammer compounds, arrested scammers, and then took them back to China. This situation raised a critical question: Would Thailand be willing to allow Chinese police to operate along its border?

In the long term, she suggested that Thailand should strengthen border surveillance, and those who cross the border must be notified of how dangerous the other side is.

The most urgent priority that should be taken is to rescue people who were lured and forced to work as scammers. The professor observed that the recent successful rescue of Chinese nationals could lead to diplomatic concerns from other embassies: Why were only individuals from Hong Kong or China rescued, while others—such as Bangladeshis and Pakistanis—also fell victim to scam gangs?

This is not the first power cut

The PEA previously terminated contracts and cut illegally installed communication cables that were routed into Myanmar. Three power purchase agreements were terminated last year:

1. Ban Wang Pha, Mae Ramat District, Tak Province – Ban Kokko, Myawaddy, Karen State (Shwe Kokko)
2. Ban Mae Ku Mai Tha Sung, Mae Sot District, Tak Province – Myawaddy, Karen State (KK Park)
3. ChiangSaen, Chiang Rai Province – Pong City, Tachileik

The PEA stated that the first two terminations were carried out upon coordination with the Myanmar government, while the last one was due to non-payment.

In addition, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Digital Economy and Society Ministry, and National Security Council removed illegally installed cables in eight areas along the border.

However, despite these actions, the NBTC has still detected unusual internet traffic from SIM boxes. In response, it instructed service providers to reduce signal coverage near the border to prevent oversupply.

The Central Investigation Bureau reported in September 2024 that the authorities seized 86 smuggled Starlink devices before they could be sent to scam gangs.

According to Isara News, in 2024, the PEA submitted letters to relevant agencies, urging them to review companies that bought electricity from the PEA due to concerns over illicit activities and national security. Although the letters did not disclose company names, they did specify the locations where these companies operated

1. Ban Wang Pha, Mae Ramat District, Tak Province – Ban Kokko, Myawaddy, Karen State (Shwe Kokko)
2. Friendship Bridge and Ban Mueang Daeng, Chiang Rai Province – Tachileik, Shan state

One of the companies operating in these areas was Allure Group, which was involved in a drug smuggling case. The Thai court dismissed the charge in January 2024. Allure Group was founded in 1999 by a former Thai Senator Upakit Pachariyangkun, along with Myanmar tycoon Tun Min Latt, who is close to Myanmar’s coup-maker. The company initially ran hotel and casino businesses in Tachileik. However, Upakit transferred ownership to his son-in-law in 2019.