From the kidnapping of a Chinese actor to revelations about how Thai authorities may be complicit with scam centers, to the alleged choice words from a Chinese official, January has been a dramatic month for the Kingdom of Thailand.
On January 3, Chinese actor Wang Xing (Xingxing) arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport and then went missing. Unable to contact him, his girlfriend flew to Thailand on January 6 and informed the police. Both Thai and Chinese social media erupted in speculation, with many suggesting he had been kidnapped. On January 7, Thai police crossed the border to pick up the Chinese actor. Thai and Chinese social media were baffled—how did the Thai police manage to retrieve him so quickly?
What happened?
Wang Xing was tricked by a fake Chinese agent in Thailand who invited him to work on a project with a lucrative payment. Upon arriving, a car drove him toward the Myanmar border. The actor later said that he knew it was a kidnapping as soon as the car drove off, but he couldn’t do anything about it. After Wang Xing went missing, Chinese netizens began announcing their cancellations of trips to Thailand for the Chinese New Year (January 29 – February 15), fearing they too would become victims. Reports stated that over 12,000 hotel bookings were canceled in just one day. Tourism and foreign investment are the Thai government’s main economic drivers, so something must be done quickly.
Thai authorities contacted Colonel Saw Chit Tu, the Karen warlord who runs the Apollo Park scam center in the Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone in Shan State. Colonel Saw Chit Tu then reached out to General Ko Sai, another Karen warlord who operates the Tai Chang scam center near Myawaddy Township, just across the border from Thailand’s Mae Sot District.
Recognizing that, while he could get away with kidnapping regular Chinese tourists, as well as Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, Russians, and others, abducting a famous Chinese actor is crossing the line with the Thai authorities as it would damage Thailand’s national image and tourism. Therefore, he quickly returned Wang Xing.
Two other warlords worth mentioning are Lieutenant Colonel Saw Mo Tong and Major Saw Teng Win. The former runs the Dongmei City scam center at Jinsien Park, while the latter operates KK Park in Myawaddy Town. All four scam centers are also involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking, casinos, and online gambling.
Grey Matter
A Thai police general, nicknamed Ta, is a partner in Myawaddy Town. A well-connected Thai businessman named Tue also has significant interests in the scam centers. Other powerful and influential Thais are involved, but these are the two most frequently mentioned by the Thai media. However, they are never named in full, as the media knows doing so could harm their health. After all, these aren’t just criminals—some are criminals in uniform with deep political connections.
When international headlines report on scam centers, ‘Chinese syndicates’ are always highlighted, which is true—but it’s not the whole story. The Chinese syndicates cannot function without the Karen warlords and Myanmar generals, just as the scam centers cannot operate without Thai partners, many of whom are in positions of authority.
As prominent Thai journalist Danai Ekmahasawat stated, ‘The grey people cannot exist without the grey authorities.’ In Thailand, ‘grey’ is the term used to describe illegal business activities.
Following the saga of Wang Xing, scam centers once again gripped headlines in Thailand. Professor Dr. Pinkaew Luengaramsri of Chiang Mai University published an article in Matichon Newspaper, citing that Thailand feeds these scam centers with water, electricity, and internet signals. Thailand is where they launder money, obtain citizens’ private information, and own condos and office buildings.
Tear Down the Bridge
Subsequent media investigation found that the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand sells electricity to scam centers from five locations.
From The Three Pagoda Border Pass to Myanmar’s Mon State through Mya Pan Investment and Manufacturing. From the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to Myawaddy, Karen State, through Nyi Naung Oo and Enova Grid Enterprise. From Baan Huay Muang to Myawaddy through Shwe Myint Thaung Yinn Industry & Manufacturing.
From Banmuangdaeng and the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to Shan State through Allure Group (P&E), which in 2022 was indicted by Thai prosecutors on charges of ‘transforming money gained from drug-related offenses into commodities, such as electricity, that were exported to Myanmar.’ However, in February 2024, the Thai court dismissed the charges.
In response, there has been widespread public outcry in Thailand, with calls for the authorities to ‘destroy the bridge’—a metaphor for the flow of resources, including water, energy, internet signals, and the money trail, that feeds these scam centers.
On January 16, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, held a talk with 10 ASEAN diplomats in Beijing, requesting their cooperation in eradicating the criminal syndicates.
On January 28, China’s assistant minister of public security, Liu Zhongyi, arrived in Thailand to hold talks with Thai authorities. Echoing the sentiment of the Thai public, he urged Thailand to “destroy the bridge.”
In response to public discontent and pressure from China, three high-ranking Mae Sot border precinct officers were transferred. In Thailand, this usually means: let things die down, and we’ll bring you back.
He Said What?
When reporters questioned the Thai Provincial Electricity Authority about shutting down its feed to the scam centers, the reply was they would if they were ordered to. Meaning the order has to come from the Interior Ministry.
Reporters then asked the interior minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, if he would issue the order. He replied that he would if he was ordered to. Meaning the order has to come from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Reporters also inquired the national police chief, General Kitrat Phanphet, whose reply was that there was no evidence suggesting Thailand sold energy to scam centers.
In fact, the media uncovered an order from the previous prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, issued in May of last year, instructing the Provincial Electricity Authority to coordinate with relevant agencies to stop selling energy to scam centers. The Provincial Electricity Authority then issued memos to 25 agencies, including the police and the army—but no one took action.
When reporters asked Prime Minister Paetongtarn for her comments, she stated that she is working closely with the relevant agencies and closely monitoring the situation. She also plans to work with Liu Zhongyi.
Meanwhile, on January 30, well-known citizen journalist Sa-nguan Khumrungroj posted a translation of what he claimed were the words of Liu Zhongyi to the Thai authorities: “Why don’t you have some interest in taking care of your own home?”
The post led Thai netizens to call for the government to act decisively, describing it as a national embarrassment.
The next day, prime minister’s advisor Natthawut Saikua stated that this must be fake news, as a diplomat would never say such a thing.
Nonetheless, while there’s a question regarding what was said, there is no question that Thailand must clean its own house.
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