Bangkok: Suradej Yasawat, deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has expressed serious concerns about the rising issue of scammers and high-tech crimes that are impacting the nation. He has urged the government to elevate this issue to a "national agenda" level, akin to the ongoing fight against drugs in the country.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suradej highlighted the importance of a coordinated effort involving all sectors, including the military, police, and the general public, to tackle this problem effectively within a four-month timeframe. He suggested that collaboration with the Chinese government, which possesses advanced technological capabilities, could be instrumental in suppressing these crimes. Furthermore, he proposed rewarding citizens who provide valuable information leading to arrests.
Addressing the government's current measures, Mr. Suradej emphasized that the scammer problem transcends national boundaries, affecting people in Thailand and abroad. He acknowledged that while Thailand is a modern country, there are nations with more advanced technology, such as China, and stressed that the issue of scammers should not be attributed to any specific country.
Mr. Suradej expressed concern over the potential for high-tech crimes to become more severe than drug-related issues, noting that many individuals may fall victim to these sophisticated scams without realizing it. He advocated for the declaration of a national policy to combat this threat and underscored the necessity for international cooperation, particularly with China, given the significant Chinese presence in Thailand.
He also called for involvement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand for joint efforts in tackling scammers. The potential for discussions between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese President Xi Jinping was highlighted as a strategic opportunity.
Mr. Suradej stressed the importance of mobilizing the public to provide timely information to authorities. He pointed out that while Thai police and military possess advanced technology, a collective effort from all police units is crucial. He advocated for comprehensive action beyond just the technology crime suppression unit and emphasized the need to equip officers adequately.
He further stated the necessity of sending a strong message to scammers, indicating that serious consequences, including severe penalties up to life imprisonment or the death penalty, along with asset confiscation, await those caught engaging in such activities.
In response to concerns about potential involvement by Thai officials in these crimes, Mr. Suradej acknowledged the possibility and argued for doubly severe punishments for any Thai nationals implicated, equating it to acts of treason. He reiterated the urgency of the situation and the need for swift action to meet the government's four-month deadline, suggesting that incentives for citizen reports could play a crucial role in resolving the issue.