Thailand announces measures to crack down on Cambodia-based cybercrime as border tensions soar

In a significant escalation of efforts to combat rampant cybercrime, Thailand today announced a series of stringent measures targeting Cambodia-based scam operations, a move that comes amidst increasingly strained relations between the two Southeast Asian nations. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a multi-pronged offensive, including severe border restrictions and cuts to internet services, signaling a hardened stance against what a recent UN report described as one of the world’s largest cybercrime hubs.

The announcement follows a period of heightened tensions, ignited by a deadly armed confrontation in May within a contested border territory. Compounding the diplomatic unease, a leaked phone call between Prime Minister Shinawawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen further fueled public criticism in Thailand over perceived leniency towards its neighbor on border issues.

Under the new directives, Thailand will drastically tighten border controls across seven provinces, limiting crossings primarily to students, medical patients, and those with essential needs. Notably, tourists intending to visit Cambodian casinos will be barred from crossing, and air travel to Siem Reap for gambling purposes will face stricter screening. Furthermore, Thailand plans to sever internet connectivity to Cambodian military and security organizations and halt cross-border supplies of oil, electricity, and other goods that could inadvertently aid transnational crime syndicates.

Thai authorities have long grappled with online scam centers, including notorious “call centers” and “pig butchering” operations, which have defrauded countless victims, both domestically and internationally. These criminal networks, often run by foreign fugitives, are believed to have relocated and expanded into Cambodia following crackdowns in other parts of the region.

While Thailand claims its campaign has already inflicted a significant financial blow on these illicit networks, with an estimated 30 billion baht in lost income for Cambodian scam centers, the measures are likely to have economic implications for both nations. Cambodia has already responded by suspending imports of Thai fuel and gas, intensifying the tit-for-tat exchanges.

Cambodia, for its part, has dismissed Thailand’s accusations of harboring large-scale cybercrime networks as “baseless, irresponsible, and deeply misleading,” asserting its commitment to combating such activities. However, international reports, including from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), continue to point to Cambodia as a major center for cyber-enabled fraud.

This latest development underscores the complex and often fraught relationship between Thailand and Cambodia, where historical border disputes now intertwine with the contemporary challenge of transnational cybercrime. As Thailand seeks to dismantle these illicit operations, the effectiveness of its unilateral measures and the potential for further diplomatic fallout remain to be seen.