Thai Police Post Scam Warnings in Four Languages at Myanmar Border Checkpoints
Police in Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand, on October 25 installed warning signs at three checkpoints on the Thai-Myanmar border to help stop foreign travelers being tricked into crossing into Myanmar for scam-center work. Ordered by Sangkhlaburi police chief Pol Col Santi Phitaksakun, the signs are written in Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese, and put seven questions to travelers designed to identify whether they may be being recruited or trafficked by criminal groups.
The move follows reports of scam operations in Phaya Tong Su town, in Myanmar's Kyainseikgyi district, Karen State, opposite the Three Pagodas Pass. Chinese and Japanese nationals have reportedly been offered high-paying jobs and persuaded to cross the border, only to be forced into working for scam networks after arrival. Security officials have previously helped several people deceived in this way, most recently two Japanese university students, aged 20 and 21, who had used Thailand as a transit route before travelling towards a neighbouring country. Despite increased patrols, the networks are said to exploit night-time conditions to take people across into Myanmar, where vehicles are arranged to collect them.
The signs stand at the Chong Ua joint checkpoint in Prang Phle, the Rantee Bridge checkpoint in Nong Lu, and the Nam Khek joint security checkpoint in Nong Lu, all in Sangkhlaburi district. The questions ask, among other things, whether travelers know they are in a Thai border area and that continuing could mean entering another country illegally; whether a high-paying job has been offered without experience requirements or clear details; whether anyone is forcing or threatening them, or asking to hold their passport and belongings; and whether anyone is paying their travel, food or accommodation costs. Police also advise against handing passports or important documents to untrusted people, and give a contact number for the Sangkhlaburi Police Station, 034-595-300, or the 191 emergency hotline.
Source: GSM·USA
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：泰国北碧府桑卡布里县的孟桥（Mon Bridge），该县与缅甸克伦邦隔三佛塔山口相望。图片：Wikimedia Commons，CC0
