Crack down on call scam gangs creates serious consequences for locals

February 19, 2025

HURFOM: In order to crack down on call scam gangs and human trafficking along the Thai – Burma border, the Thai government has cut off the distribution of electricity. The cut affects five locations along the border and authorities have, without exceptions, banned the transportation of gasoline beginning at 9 am on February 5^th, 2025.

The electricity blackout and gasoline ban has created serious consequences in Three Pagoda Pass Town, Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State all of which are on the Thai – Burma border.

Shortage of drinking water

The lack of electricity has forced drinking water factories to cease operations leading to a shortage and a dramatic rise in the cost of drinking water throughout the towns.

Mya Pan – a local drinking water factory stopped their production and their prices rose significantly. A bottle of drinking water was priced at 10 Thai Baht before the blackout but now, local people must pay up to 25 Baht for a bottle of drinking water. The cessation of the company’s operations has also led to a shortage.

“We have no electricity so we can’t operate our water pump. We have to buy water for our daily use,” said a Three Pagoda Pass resident.

High price and scarcity of gasoline

After experiencing a blackout for ten days in Three Pagoda Pass, the price of gasoline began to rise.

One liter of gasoline was priced at 35 Baht before the blackout but now, the price of the same amount of gasoline has risen to 60 Baht. Shortages are also now commonplace.

“At the moment, most of the gas stations in Three Pagoda Pass have put up a notice saying “no more gasoline to sell” and closed their operations,” said another resident.

Mon national schools alongside the border

The students from the Mon national schools in Japanese Well and Kyan Taw villages which are under the control of the New Mon State Party and which are located on the Thai – Burma border have also suffered from a serious consequence of blackout by the Thai government.

“Now, we have no electricity so we have to go to the well to get water. The well is very far from our school. Instead of doing their studies, students have to spend all their time collecting water,” said a national school teacher.

The blackout has also created problems for students who are about to take their final exam.

“The final exam is about to come. But we don’t have electricity to print out the question papers. The children have to do their studies by candle light. They have to buy the candle with their pocket money,” said a schoolteacher from Japanese Well village.

The Mon national school in Japanese Well village has 150 students and the Mon national school in Kyan Taw village has 47 students.

The DKBA – Democratic Karen Benevolent Army which controls Three Pagoda Pass released a statement on February 9^th, 2025 claiming they would try their best to get back electricity and gasoline from the Thai government.

Armed groups have also promised to crack down on call scam gangs and unlawful gambling centers, which are dominated by Chinese peoples in Three Pagoda Pass. The group issued an order urging Chinese citizens in Three Pagoda Pass Town to leave town no later than February 28^th, 2025.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under Feature, News