Border agencies told to watch out for smuggling of electricity materials

Kanchanaburi agencies have been instructed to strictly screen for smuggling of electricity generating equipment to scam call-centre gangs on the Myanmar border.

This move follows the government’s order to cut power supply to five Myanmar border areas to disrupt the operation of call-centre gangs there.

The electricity supply was cut off in Kanchanaburi (Three Pagodas-Payathongzu), Tak (Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge amd Ban Huay Muang to Myawaddy), and Chiang Rai (Ban Mueang Daeng and First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to Tachileik)

Amid reports that such call-centre gangs were prepared to move their bases to the border near Kanchanaburi, provincial agencies held discussions at the Sangkhlaburi district office on Wednesday. 

Relevant agencies have been instructed to strictly screen vehicles passing through border checkpoints to prevent smuggling of fuels, solar cells and batteries, Sangkhlaburi district chief Suriyasak Mueanuam said.Somkiat Tesachabut, manager of the Provincial Electricity Authority's Sangkhlaburi branch, confirmed that he had overseen the stopping of power supply as per the government’s policy.

The authority officials have been ordered to watch out for electricity smuggling to border areas, so that it could be investigated immediately, he said.

Sangkhlaburi Customs House has informed this issue to exporters of fuels, solar cells and batteries, agency chief Kritsana Setthakorn said.

(2025/02/05-00:00)