STORY: Thailand to continue crackdown on transnational crimes as measures yield results: PM
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 19, 2025/file
DATELINE: Feb. 20, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:56
LOCATION: Bangkok
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivering a speech
2. various of the Thailand-Myanmar border areas

STORYLINE:

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Wednesday that the Thai government's series of measures to combat telecom fraud have achieved significant results, and the country will continue to crack down on transnational crimes.

Addressing an event on Wednesday morning, Paetongtarn noted that the government of Thailand had recently halted fuel supplies and cut off electricity and internet connections for areas along the Thai-Myanmar border that are suspected of hosting scam operations.

As a result, electricity consumption in the relevant areas of Myanmar has decreased by 40 percent. Over 300 individuals involved in fraud parks have been sent to Thailand while some 7,000 more await repatriation.

Paetongtarn added that the Thai cabinet has approved a legal amendment which places partial responsibility on banks, telecom operators, and social media platforms for damages caused by call-center scams. The anti-fraud measure is expected to take effect soon.

Speaking at a meeting with police officers later in the day, the prime minister urged Thai police to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries and international law enforcement agencies. Paetongtarn said that information sharing and joint training would improve officers' ability to fight transnational crime. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bangkok.
(XHTV)