Mae SOT, Thailand (AP) – A new performance against online scam centers has led more than 7,000 people from all over the world to be held in a Myanmar border city awaiting border and leading to delays.
The performance coordinated under Thailand, Myanmar and China follows the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinatra's visit to Beijing this month, where she told Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Thailand would take action against the scam networks that have taken care of hundreds of thousands of people.
They are often lured under false pretenses to work in scam centers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, where they financially exploit people all over the world through false romances, fake -investment fields and illegal gambling arrangements.
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Many are trapped in virtual slavery.
Officials from Thailand, Myanmar and China are expected to meet next week to tackle the logistics of the performance as the fears grow over a possible humanitarian crisis. They want to establish guidelines for repatrations to prevent confusion, spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of Defense Thanathip Sawangsang told The Associated Press.
As part of the performance of Thailand, it has also demolished electricity, internet and gas stocks to various areas in Myanmar that organizes scam centers along the border, with reference to national security.
Amy Miller, director of Southeast Asia of Aid Group Act of Mercy International and based in the Thailand's Mae Sot on the border of Myanmar, said that she has never seen such a large-scale release of potential victims of human trafficking.
She believes that Thai authorities are doing their best, but the task is overwhelming.
“The ability to get them to Thailand and to process and accommodate and feed them would be impossible for most governments,” she said. “It requires the embassies and home governments of these citizens to take responsibility for their citizens. It really requires a kind of global response. “
The Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham WeChahaachaha, acknowledged Tuesday and said that relevant agencies worked on the situation as quickly as possible to coordinate repatrations.
“I am also afraid that if we don't get along, it would be a problem if they can't handle it and let them go,” said Phumham reporters in Bangkok, referring to the authorities of Myanmar.
Logistical issues include verifying identities, which has complicated and delayed country repatriation efforts, according to a diplomatic source with direct knowledge of the situation that spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media about the issue.
More than half of the 7,000 waiting is Chinese, with the rest from a mix of countries.
More than 600 Chinese were repatriated for four days last week. Due to the large number, Thailand Beijing proposes to process most processing on their return to China. China has chartered 16 flights.
Earlier this month, around 260 people from 20 countries, ranging from Ethiopia to Brazil to the Philippines, crossed from Myanmar to Thai detention as part of the performance. More than 100 stay in Thailand awaiting repatriation, said Thai officials.
Many were traded by Mae Sot to Myanmar, now a center of massive repatriation efforts.
On the way to Mae Sot, signs signed in Thai, English and Chinese warning that Thais and foreigners warned of the risk of being traded to work along the border of Myanmar. Soldiers checked vehicles on Wednesday and asked for identification.
