Karen Fighters Drive Chinese Out of Key Myanmar Scam Operation Base
The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) on Sunday told Chinese nationals engaged in online scam operations, casinos, and food manufacturing to leave the Myanmar-Thai border town of Payathonzu by the end of February.
The DKBA’s Operational Command No. 2 said it wants to prevent scam operators from settling there and warned of harsh punishment for failure to comply.
The warning comes amid Chinese government pressure on the Myanmar regime and the Thai government to crack down on scam syndicates on their border that target Chinese citizens.
A signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, the DKBA primarily operates in Karen State with headquarters in Sone See Myaing village tract in Myawaddy Township. Some splinter groups have been fighting the regime since the 2021 coup.
The latest move aims to win back the Thai government’s trust and regain access to electricity and fuel supply from Kanchanaburi on the other side of the border, the DKBA said.
The DKBA has provided most of the administration and security for Payathonzu since mid-2023, with junta forces largely confined to their base.
The town nestles in a verdant valley at the Three Pagodas Pass and is about five hours’ drive south of Myawaddy.
Since July last year, online fraud gangs have been moving operations from their crowded Shwe Kokko hub in Myawaddy to Payathonzu, Falu, Kyauk Khet, Min Let Pan, and Waw Lay.
The Thai government on Feb. 5 cut off electricity, fuel, and internet supply to five border areas including Myawaddy, Tachileik, and Payathonzu that teem with online scam operations.
Fuel prices have since soared in border towns, resulting in long queues at filling stations.
In another statement Sunday, the DKBA informed its people it would take action to help them regain power and internet access and fuel supplies.
It stressed the importance of creating trust with the Thai government by showing that there are no scam operations in Payathonzu. The DKBA is a member of the 7 EAO Alliance.
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