Bangkok: Pheu Thai Party proposes seven measures, urging the government to use international pressure on Cambodia to crack down on scammers.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Prasert Chantarawongthong, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, alongside members of the Pheu Thai Party, presented a proposal at the Parliament building to expedite resolving the scammer problem. The proposal aims to benefit the nation, its people, and address border issues. The party emphasized the need for action due to increased global pressure from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea to eliminate scammers.
The proposed measures include utilizing water, electricity, and transportation to prevent cybercrime along the Thai-Cambodian border. The national cooperation model from the previous government could be revisited. Another measure suggests closing natural channels to prevent Thai citizens from being deceived into crossing into Cambodia and restricting illegal re-entry into Thailand. The party also recommends accelerating negotiations with neighboring countries to establish a joint management center to combat call center gangs and international human trafficking, with assistance from international organizations.
Additionally, the Pheu Thai Party requests negotiations to pressure Cambodia to accept four conditions, with a focus on jointly suppressing scammer crimes. This aligns with a previous resolution proposed by the Paethongtarn government and aims for a Peace Agreement at the upcoming ASEAN Summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The party also advises reinstating measures to suspend mule accounts and SIM cards linked to mobile banking involved in fraudulent activities, as well as cracking down on illegal gambling and fraudulent websites.
A meeting of the Cybercrime Prevention and Suppression Committee should be convened under the Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Act of 2023. Furthermore, the government should expedite secondary legislation to align with the Cybercrime Prevention and Suppression Act and the Digital Asset Act. The Pheu Thai Party suggests utilizing the AOC 1441 Center as a one-stop service to aid citizens affected by online fraud, ensuring effective complaint handling and coordination with banks and cyber police.
Mr. Prasert emphasized that the crackdown on call center gangs should be a strategic approach to pressure the Cambodian government into cooperating on border issues, rather than following trends or seeking political popularity. The Pheu Thai Party noted that many countries, including the United States and South Korea, have taken firm actions to press the Cambodian government, presenting an opportunity for Thailand to collaborate systematically with the international community.
The party also calls for expedited investigations and immediate legal action against offenders using border areas as bases for call center gangs. They questioned the appropriateness of decisive measures such as power cuts or internet service interruptions in suspected areas, provided these measures adhere to the law and are properly considered by the Cabinet. The Pheu Thai Party expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s repeated evasion of direct answers on this issue and stressed the need for clear public explanations and sincerity in addressing both cybercrime and national security.