Thailand will suspend electricity supply to some border areas with Myanmar in an effort to curb scam centres, its government said on Tuesday, amid growing pressure on the illegal compounds that have ensnared vast numbers of people of multiple nationalities.

Thailand cut cross-border electricity supplies to five locations in Myanmar on Wednesday, in an effort to stamp out online scam centres blamed for scaring away Chinese tourists. Fears among Chinese tourists of being kidnapped and forced to work in scam centres was blamed for a sharp drop in visitor numbers over the Lunar New Year holiday last week.

Thailand will cut the power to some border areas with Myanmar in an effort to curb "scam centres" where human trafficking victims are forced to work in cyber fraud operations.

BANGKOK – After chairing a National Security Council (NSC) meeting on cutting electricity to Myanmar border areas to curb transnational crime and call-centre scams, Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced that the meeting had resolved to cut electricity, internet, and fuel supplies starting at 9am on February 5.

Thailand will cut off electricity, internet access and oil supplies to some areas in Myanmar suspected to house cyber scam operations, widening a crackdown after a high-profile trafficking of a Chinese actor put a spotlight on criminal activities across the Thai borders.

BANGKOK -- The Thai government on Tuesday ordered the Provincial Electricity Authority to cut supply to Shwe Kokko, a Myanmar town where Thai and Chinese authorities say thousands of people, including their nationals, have been trafficked and forced to run online scams targeting victims around the world.

The Provincial Electricity Authority on Wednesday morning cut off the power it was supplying to border regions in Myanmar, a move targeting the large number of scam centres based there.

Thailand will cut electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five locations along its border with Myanmar starting February 5, marking an unprecedented move to combat transnational crime operations,