Myanmar military demolishes nearly 150 buildings at scam hub near Thailand

Guwahati: Myanmar’s military announced on Sunday, November 9, that it was demolishing nearly 150 buildings at a notorious internet scam compound near the Thailand border, including a gym, a spa, and a karaoke parlour.

Fraud operations have thrived in Myanmar’s poorly governed border regions, where workers run scams targeting internet users with romance and business schemes that generate tens of billions of dollars each year.

Some workers are trafficked into these operations, while others join voluntarily, attracted by the luxury amenities provided for staff and criminal leaders.

Last month, the military carried out a raid on the infamous KK Park scam centre, finding over 2,000 scammers and causing 1,500 people to flee across the border into Thailand.

According to state media The Global New Light of Myanmar, the military located 148 buildings, including dormitories, a four-story hospital, and a two-story karaoke facility. “101 buildings have been demolished, and the remaining 47 buildings are in progress,” the report said.

AFP was unable to independently verify the claims, but residents on both sides of the border reported hearing explosions since the raids began.

Analysts suggest that the military’s actions are likely selective and carefully staged to ease international pressure without severely impacting the profits of the scam networks.

China, a major backer of Myanmar’s military, has expressed growing frustration over scams targeting its citizens.

However, a strict crackdown could reduce revenue for militias allied with the junta, which remain critical in the country’s ongoing civil war following the 2021 coup.

Earlier this year, a campaign led by China resulted in the repatriation of about 7,000 scam workers, while Thailand introduced a cross-border internet blockade to limit these operations.

The military initially raided KK Park on October 19 after an AFP investigation revealed that the centres were expanding despite earlier crackdowns, with Starlink satellite internet receivers being used to bypass Thailand’s web restrictions.

Following the investigation, SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, disabled more than 2,500 satellite terminals near suspected scam operations in Myanmar.