Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has accused Cambodia of serving as a centre for transnational crime operations that, she claims, cost the Thai economy more than 600 billion baht each year. In response, the Thai government is launching a three-month campaign to tighten border controls in line with United Nations guidelines aimed at dismantling online scam networks.
Speaking publicly, Prime Minister Paetongtarn said Thailand will intensify checks at border crossings shared with Cambodia. Flights to Siem Reap for gambling purposes will face additional scrutiny, and gambling in border areas will be strictly prohibited.
The campaign also targets cybercrime. Authorities will track financial accounts and digital networks linked to cross-border criminal groups. Internet services and links suspected of facilitating these operations, particularly in cooperation with Cambodian security forces, may be shut down.
Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office has been tasked with freezing or seizing assets connected to criminal syndicates. This includes funds that have already been transferred abroad.
The Thai leader stated that her government will also work closely with regional governments and international partners to break up internet-based criminal networks. Thailand, she said, will act as a regional coordination centre for these efforts.
The three-month initiative is expected to result in a drop in criminal activity, fewer victims, reduced financial losses, and increased asset recovery, according to the Prime Minister.
The Bangkok Post reports that in early March 2025, the United Nations sent a formal letter to the Thai government raising concerns about its handling of human trafficking, particularly involving women and children exploited in online scams.
The UN highlighted Thailand’s role as a transit point for trafficking victims being moved to scam centres in neighbouring countries, particularly along the border with Myanmar’s Karen State.
The Bangkok Post further notes that UN Special Rapporteurs expressed concern over Thailand’s failure to identify trafficking victims. Some individuals have faced prosecution or penalties for crimes committed while under coercion, including illegal immigration and criminal acts carried out while forced to work in scam centres.
Addressing these allegations, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet spoke during the closing of Cambodia’s National Assembly extraordinary session on June 17. He criticised Thailand for, in his words, portraying Cambodia in a negative light while claiming moral superiority.
Prime Minister Hun Manet asserted that the issues Thailand blames on Cambodia are also present within Thailand itself. He accused the Thai government of covering up its own problems while projecting blame onto its neighbour.
