Thailand Cuts Electricity and Oil Supply to Myawaddy Town Amid Rising Cross-Border Tensions and Alleged High-Level Corruption

The city is caught in the crossfire as restrictions on power and fuel lead to shortages and hardships. PHOTO SOUCE: THE NATION

In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Thai authorities have abruptly cut off electricity and oil supplies to Myawaddy town—a decision that has ignited protests among local residents. The controversial measure, according to officials, is part of a broader initiative to dismantle cross-border criminal networks involved in human trafficking and other illicit activities. At the center of these developments is the arrest warrant issued for Col. Saw Chit Thu, a high-ranking officer accused of serious crimes that have destabilized the region.

Protests at the Bridge

Source： The Nation

Residents of Myawaddy , who depend on a steady flow of electricity and oil for daily life, converged on the town’s central bridge this week. Their chants and demonstrations call for an immediate restoration of essential services and a clear explanation from the authorities. “Our community cannot survive without these basic necessities,” one protester declared. “We deserve to know why our livelihoods are being sacrificed for a political agenda.”

While security forces have been deployed to maintain order, the protest remains largely peaceful, highlighting the growing public unrest in response to government policies that many view as heavy-handed.

International Coordination Against Transnational Crime

The supply cut coincides with Thailand’s announcement of a groundbreaking initiative to establish an international coordination center. Thai government spokesperson Thatchai Pitaneelaboot stated that the center will serve as a hub for exchanging intelligence on cross-border human trafficking and online criminal activities. “Enhanced collaboration with foreign embassies and international law enforcement is crucial,” Pitaneelaboot said. “This center will help us identify both potential victims and perpetrators, fortifying our defenses against a wide range of transnational crimes.”

Officials emphasize that this move is part of an aggressive effort to counteract networks that not only facilitate human trafficking but also engage in a series of illicit activities spanning multiple borders. The high-profile abduction of a Chinese actor from Thailand is now being linked to these broader criminal operations.

The Abduction of a Chinese Celebrity: The Spark That Ignited a Crisis

The crisis may have been set in motion by the high-profile abduction of a well-known Chinese actor during his visit to Thailand. Although details surrounding his disappearance remain under wraps, insiders suggest that this incident is symptomatic of a larger, more insidious network of criminal enterprises operating across the region. International pressure has mounted on Thai authorities to deliver swift and decisive action, further complicating an already volatile situation.

Thailand Issue Warrant Against Col. Saw Chit Thu

Border Guard Force chief Colonel Saw Chit Thu attends a celebration to mark the BGF’s 9th anniversary in Shwe Kokko on Aug. 20, 2019. / Source: The Irrawaddy

In a further twist to the unfolding crisis, Thai law enforcement has issued a warrant for the arrest of Col. Saw Chit Thu, a senior officer whose alleged misconduct has now come under intense scrutiny. Sources familiar with the investigation claim that Col. Saw Chit Thu played a pivotal role in facilitating the criminal networks and related cross-border crimes. Col. Saw Chit Thu has emerged as a controversial figure amid sweeping investigations into corruption and criminal collusion within state institutions.

Accused of using his high-ranking position to facilitate cross-border crimes—ranging from human trafficking to arms smuggling—Saw’s alleged involvement highlights a disturbing nexus between security forces and transnational criminal networks. His arrest warrant has become a symbol of the government’s broader crackdown on corruption, exposing deep-seated challenges in maintaining integrity and accountability within the ranks. As the investigation progresses, the case of Col. Saw Chit Thu is being closely watched as a critical test of the state’s resolve to reform its security apparatus and restore public trust.

Infamous Scam Centers Fueling the Underground Economy

Among the most notorious of these networks are three scam centers that have earned infamy for their audacious operations: Taichung, KK Park, and Dongmei. These centers orchestrate a wide array of fraudulent schemes—from online scams and money laundering to elaborate confidence tricks targeting vulnerable individuals and funding broader criminal activities. Their pervasive influence not only undermines the rule of law but also deepens local communities’ dependency on illicit networks amid state neglect and economic hardships.

Recent investigations have further revealed that some of these centers have deep ties with influential figures. For instance, KK Park is partly owned by Mr. Duan Zheng Li (段正礼), as noted on his Chinese Wikipedia page, linking the center to powerful business interests. Similarly, Dongmei’s investors include former Malaysia deputy minister Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim and her husband, Datuk Abdul Shakor bin Abu Bakar, along with Wan Kuok-koi (Broken Tooth). These connections underscore the entangled nexus between high-profile figures, political power, and transnational cyber scam operations in the region.

Adding to the evidence of their bold operations, this article will feature exclusive video footage of the Taichung Scam Center. Prosecutor Erin West, while in Maesot months ago, captured striking footage of fireworks being set off as the Taichung facility expanded its base. West has granted permission for the use of this video, underscoring the scale and audacity of these criminal endeavors.

Victim Testimonies and the Human Cost of Taichung's Expansion

Recent reports from victims have shed further light on the brutal reality behind the operations at the Taichung Scam Center. A Taiwanese victim mother confirmed that she transferred close to US15,000 ransom—verified by our internal team of expert tracers—to the center in exchange for her son’s release. Despite repeated promises, her son remains uncontactable, leaving her family in despair. Her case is not isolated; several families have paid exorbitant ransom fees only to have their loved ones remain missing, while others have been left stranded when ransom demands soared beyond their means. In one particularly chilling case, another Taiwanese victim resorted to having a local media article removed to protect her daughter, fearing that the scam center would retaliate lethally. Insider reports have even indicated that citizens from Malaysia, Vietnam, and China have died within the compound. As Taichung continues to expand its base, the grim prospect of forced labor and further exploitation looms large, marking it as one of the darkest scam centers to date.

A Call for Unity and Action

As investigations continue and the stark reality of these criminal enterprises unfolds, it becomes clear that the battle against these transnational syndicates cannot be fought by one nation alone. Chinese authorities, Thai law enforcement, and governments across all affected countries must come together and break the long-held belief among these criminals that borders and rivers offer them sanctuary from justice. For too long, these syndicates have thrived on the assumption that no law enforcement agency will dare cross into their territory to make an arrest.

Every day, countless families await rescue—a rescue that promises to return their stolen futures and restore the hope that has been drained by heartless financial scams and human exploitation. Lives have already been lost to these criminal networks, and many more risk losing everything—their savings, their dignity, and their dreams—if we continue to stand divided. There are mothers who cry out for the return of their children, victims whose hard-earned money has vanished into a labyrinth of deceit, and communities that have been forced into silence by fear and despair.

This is a call to action for all nations: let us unite, cast aside our differences, and bring an end to these syndicates once and for all. Thailand, China, and every country touched by this scourge must forge a unified front to dismantle the criminal infrastructures that have allowed such atrocities to flourish. The time has come to cross every river and break every barrier in the name of justice and humanity. We owe it to those who have suffered and continue to suffer—this must end now.