The newly appointed prime minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, recently met in Beijing and promised to strengthen bilateral cooperation with China to tackle the growing issue of illegal gaming and telecom fraud. It is a significant step in the ongoing efforts of the two countries to combat transnational crime.
When Paetongtarn met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, he was told that China had increased its efforts to fight illegal internet gambling. Spokesman for the government Lin Jian said the two leaders discussed how to “enhance the fight” against cybercrime, which has been increasing in the region. Lin added that China is working with neighboring countries like Thailand and Myanmar to put an end to these illegal activities.
In the fight against the “scourge of online gambling and telecom fraud,” Lin emphasized that these efforts aim to protect the safety of individuals’ lives and assets, ensuring that regional cooperation and exchange remain uninterrupted. This collaboration builds on ongoing regional partnerships, with a shared focus on addressing transnational crimes.
The Growing Threat of Illegal Gambling
A BBC report highlights the increasing presence of illegal gambling operations along the Thai-Myanmar border, mirroring the situation seen in the Philippines, where similar offshore gambling businesses were banned last year. These operations involve workers from China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent, with some being forced into labor under harrowing conditions. Stories of abuse, including torture and beatings, have been shared by those who managed to escape these operations.
In response, regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are stepping up their efforts. At a recent meeting, ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to combatting transnational crime, including people smuggling, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and, notably, online scams. Thailand, an ASEAN member, is now part of this broader effort to tackle the online gambling epidemic that flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic.
China’s assault on online gambling intensified in 2024, when 4,500 gaming sites were shut down. Chinese investigators investigated 73,000 cases of cross-border gaming and arrested more than 11,000 people. Macau, China’s only legal casino region, has employed state-of-the-art surveillance systems and digital forensic techniques to detect and halt illegal transactions in real time.
According to Inside Bitcoins, these efforts are helping to break up the networks that facilitate illegal gambling, ensuring that illicit financial flows are quickly halted.
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