SA KAEO, Thailand -Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra chaired a meeting at the R.12 Infantry Regiment in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo Province, to discuss efforts against call center gangs and online crimes, on February 28. Key officials such as Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chandraruangthong, and key ministers from the Ministry of Digital Economy, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Defense, and national security agencies participated.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn highlighted the significance of tackling call center gangs, a persistent issue in Thailand. She thanked security forces and the police for their efforts and emphasized continued collaboration with the private sector. The meeting aimed to assess the progress of previous directives and ensure the full implementation of solutions, particularly on border control, criminal activities, and communication strategies to the public.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the situation in Sa Kaeo, where measures have been implemented to curb cross-border illegal activities, including the suspension of phone signal towers near the border and the closure of illegal accommodations. On March 1, the Thai Consulate in Siem Reap will assist in returning 119 Thai citizens residing in Poipet back to Thailand.
The ‘Seal Stop Safe’ border sealing policy has shown a 40% reduction in illegal crossings over the past three years. In February 2025, 13 arrests related to call center gangs were made, involving 25 Thai nationals, 3 Chinese nationals, and 1 Indonesian.
The Prime Minister further instructed security agencies to enhance monitoring at border areas, tighten border entry and exit controls, and ensure careful screening of individuals who may be victims of these criminal networks. She also emphasized the importance of international cooperation to ensure that returned individuals are properly processed and protected from re-offending.
At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister visited the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Screening Center in Sa Kaeo to observe the process of identifying and protecting victims of call center gangs, ensuring that victims receive proper care and are safely returned to their home countries.
