A special commission has been created in Thailand to investigate possible ties between police officers and criminal organizations operating in Myanmar. The investigation, which was launched after a series of disappearances of Chinese citizens lured to work in Myanmar through border regions of Thailand, aims to study the role of law enforcement officers in criminal activities on the border.
Five high-ranking police officers, including one known for their impressive financial resources, have been temporarily suspended from office and transferred to Bangkok for further proceedings. Among those suspended is an officer who oversaw several provinces, including the border region where large fraud centers are concentrated.
Local media reports suggest that one of the officers under investigation owns a mansion on a plot of land with a waterfall and a golf course, but prefers to live in official housing intended for the chief of police in one of the border cities.
The Minister of Defense of Thailand emphasized that the suspension of the officers does not automatically imply their involvement in crimes. The focus, he said, should be on understanding the reasons behind the high activity of transnational criminal groups in the region.
In response to the investigation, authorities have intensified efforts to combat fraudulent syndicates operating from Myanmar. Sanctions such as power supply disconnections in regions with high criminal activity have been implemented. These measures were prompted by the recent discovery of a famous Chinese actor who fell victim to human trafficking in one of these centers.
The power outage led to the return of 261 foreign citizens from Myanmar to Thailand on February 12. The disruption of electricity and communication services significantly hampered the operations of fraudulent centers, prompting them to quickly reveal their locations.
As the investigation progresses, Thai authorities have made it clear that there will be no concessions. The pursuit of justice continues, and the outcome of this case remains to be seen in the near future.