Thai police state up to 100,000 cyber scam workers still in Myanmar
Thailand’s Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot said that cyber scam centers along the Thai-Burma border are still operating with up to 100,000 workers despite a crackdown, including China, which began in February. He added that hundreds of the reported human trafficking victims rescued in Myawaddy Township of Karen State went there voluntarily.
“Many people use Thailand as a pathway to sneak themselves into Myawaddy to find work,” Thatchai Pitaneelaboot told Reuters. “Many did go in willingly, only discovering that they had been trafficked later,” he added. Myawaddy is located 140 miles (225 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An and is across the border from Mae Sot, Tak Province of Thailand.
The Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) stated on March 12 that over 5,000 foreign nationals from 28 countries were released from cyber scams in Myawaddy since it launched a crackdown on Feb. 14. Regime media reported on Wednesday that 169 Indonesian, 19 Bangladeshi and one Japanese – all cyber scam suspects – had been deported via the No. 2 Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge since Jan. 30.
Rohingya militant leader arrested in Bangladesh
Bangladesh media reported that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the commander-in-chief of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), along with 10 others in Narayanganj and Mymensingh on Tuesday. Narayanganj is located 18 miles (30 km) south of the capital Dhaka and Mymensingh is 70 miles (113 km) north of Dhaka.
Ataullah is accused of launching attacks on police outposts in northern Arakan State on Aug. 25, 2017, which triggered a military crackdown and led to an exodus of 750,000 Rohingya. “Bangladesh should cooperate with the [International Criminal Court] and hand Ataullah over to the court to be investigated and held accountable for international crimes,” John Quinley, the Fortify Rights director, told The Daily Star newspaper.
Fortify Rights released a report on Tuesday stating that Rohingya militant groups have been responsible for 22 killings in Bangladesh’s refugee camps in 2021, 42 in 2022, 90 in 2023, and at least 65 in 2024. It alleged that ARSA and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) fought with regime forces against the Arakan Army (AA) last year. Over one million Rohingya are confined to refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, according to Bangladesh.
Crisis Group report warns about threats facing Chinland
The International Crisis Group (ICG) released a report on Wednesday recommending ways to reduce tensions and promote unity between the Chin National Front (CNF) and the Chin Brotherhood, the two factions of the Chin resistance which agreed to merge into a single governing body called the Chin National Council, after a meeting in India’s Mizoram State capital Aizawl on Feb. 26.
“Achieving [unity] will require farsightedness from leaders as well as practical de-escalation measures,” stated Richard Horsey, the ICG Senior Advisor on Burma. He added that more assistance is needed in this “neglected” part of the country, and that India should facilitate increased informal border trade to ease shortages of essential goods. India has restricted access to the No. 2 India-Burma Friendship Bridge since Jan. 2.
The report warned of a potential conflict between Chin resistance forces and the Arakan Army (AA) over Paletwa Township, in southern Chinland, which came under AA control in January 2024. Fighting between Chin resistance and regime forces has displaced 160,000 residents from their homes. The Chin resistance controls 15 out of 20 townships in Chinland, including the Burma-India border town of Rikhawdar.
News by Region
CHINLAND—The CNF announced that it pardoned a total of 72 prisoners to commemorate the Chin Revolution Day on Thursday. It claimed that 30 military personnel have been killed, 20 have been arrested, and 80 weapons have been seized, during fighting against regime forces in January and February.
The CNF added that it will continue to fight alongside allied ethnic armed groups and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) in order to build a federal democratic union. It called on the international community and non-governmental organizations to help the people of Burma who suffer under the regime.
MANDALAY—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) ordered all businesses, including mining operations, in Mogok Township to apply for business licenses by the end of March. Mogok is located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of the region’s capital Mandalay and is famous for its rubies and sapphires. Mogok came under TNLA control on July 24.
“Currently, we’re only permitting small-scale operations for resource extraction businesses to maintain [residents’] livelihoods. For large-scale operations, policies are still being drafted and have not yet been approved,” Lway Yay Oo, the TNLA spokesperson, told DVB. Mogok residents have accused the TNLA of forced recruitment.
YANGON—Regime media reported on Wednesday that it seized over three tons of methamphetamine and 200 kilograms of ketamine worth over 96 billion MMK ($21.9 million USD) this month. It has arrested at least 14 people it accuses of being a part of a drug trafficking ring allegedly run by a member of the AA.
Another suspected ringleader is a resident of Pangsang Township, located in the Wa Self-Administered Division of Shan State. Vehicles and boats allegedly used in drug trafficking were seized by police. The regime stated that it will take legal action under anti-money laundering laws to confiscate all assets belonging to the drug trafficking ring.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,390 MMK)
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