Thailand is considering constructing a wall along its border with Cambodia to discourage illegal crossings and enhance a multi-national crackdown on scam centres, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced on Monday. The proposed wall is part of an extensive attempt to dismantle a complex network of scam operations which operate across Thailand’s borders with Cambodia and Myanmar.

This initiative comes amid rising concerns about human trafficking, as hundreds of thousands of people have fallen victim to these criminal gangs, according to reports from the United Nations. Over the weekend, Thai police successfully received 119 Thai nationals from Cambodian authorities after a significant raid in Poipet that rescued more than 215 individuals trapped within a scam compound.

During the briefing, Jirayu stated, "If it is done, how will it be done? What results and how will it solve problems? This is a study,” yet he did not provide specifics regarding the wall's length or construction timeline. Cambodia’s government has yet to comment on the wall's prospective implications.

The common border between Thailand and Cambodia stretches approximately 817 kilometres. Previous proposals from the Thai defence ministry suggested building a wall along a 55-kilometre stretch in the Sa Kaeo province, an area currently only secured by razor wire.

For years, telecom fraud centres have proliferated in Southeast Asia, impacting victims from various regions, including countries as distant as West Africa. The recent attention to these centres has intensified following the dramatic rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was lured to Thailand under false pretenses before being taken to a scam centre in Myanmar.

In Myanmar’s Myawaddy, more than 7,000 foreigners, primarily from China, are awaiting repatriation to Thailand. The Thai government is working closely with embassies to facilitate their return. However, many individuals freed from these compounds remain stranded in substandard conditions at militia camps, where they continue to seek routes back home. A senior Thai lawmaker noted the severity of the situation, estimating that approximately 300,000 individuals are currently involved in scam operations in Myawaddy alone.

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