BANGKOK, Thailand – Border regions between Thailand and Myanmar have become a hotspot for human trafficking, as NGOs report that thousands of victims, predominantly from China, are still trapped in Myanmar. Many of them are being forced to work in illegal online call centers as part of scam operations.
The latest plea for help comes from a network of civil society organizations dedicated to combating human trafficking. They have sent a letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, urging the government to take immediate action to rescue more than 6,500 victims from 24 countries, many of whom are being held in the control of the Buddhist Karen Democratic Army (DKBA) and Border Guard Force (BGF) in Myanmar.
Previously, in October 2023, the network had requested assistance for 110 victims trapped in the same areas, but there has been no progress in their rescue. The situation has only worsened, with the number of victims rising, particularly those of Chinese nationality, now numbering over 4,500.
The victims are primarily lured by social media promises of better opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in forced labor and exploitation. Once in Myanmar, many are coerced into working for online scam operations, with their personal freedoms stripped away. Some have even been forced to abort pregnancies, pay extortionate ransoms, or lure new victims into the same fate.
Despite numerous appeals from the victims’ families, including direct requests to Myanmar authorities and ethnic armed groups, no significant rescue efforts have been made. The NGOs continue to push for the Thai government to take swift action, as many of these individuals suffer from abuse, including electric shocks, physical beatings, and starvation.
