Bangkok: "Prasert" remains unfazed by "Hun Sen's" prediction that Thailand will have a new Prime Minister in three months. Mr. Prasert Chanthavongthong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, dismissed the Cambodian Senate President's forecast as an untrue attempt to discredit the Thai government. He expressed confidence in the government's stability and indicated that any potential intervention in Thai politics by Samdech Hun Sen would be evaluated by the appropriate agencies.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Prasert responded to Cambodian Telecommunications Minister Chea Vandeth's defense against Thailand's accusations that Cambodia is a hub for transnational crime and call center gangs. Security reports from both foreign and Thai sources have confirmed that these criminal operations are based in Cambodia, particularly in Poipet.
When questioned about the impact of these accusations on Chinese tourism, Mr. Prasert refuted claims that Thailand's statements were responsible for a decline in Chinese visitors. He attributed the decrease to internal discussions among Chinese tourists rather than any actions by Thailand, emphasizing Thailand's role as chair of ASEAN's cybercrime suppression efforts.
Mr. Prasert stated that Thailand intends to seek international cooperation to counter Cambodia's allegations, given the clear evidence of criminal activities in Poipet and other Cambodian cities. He noted that heightened border security measures have already led to a reduction in crime statistics, with fewer people crossing checkpoints and decreased use of social platforms.
Regarding the planned opening of the border checkpoint on June 24-25, Mr. Prasert withheld comment, citing the security sector's jurisdiction over the matter. He mentioned ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to monitor financial activities linked to call center gangs, particularly at the Sa Kaeo border checkpoint, where unusual cash withdrawals have been observed. Officials are tracking accounts and investigating the continued use of old methods by these gangs to deceive individuals into withdrawing cash.