China and Thailand join forces to combat illegal gambling
Illegal gambling and telecom fraud aren’t just small-time crimes. They are billion-dollar industries fuelled by cross-border networks that exploit weak enforcement and digital loopholes. China and Thailand have had enough.
Criminal networks are on notice. Thailand and China are teaming up to take down underground gambling rings and fraud operations across Southeast Asia. With law enforcement ramping up the pressure, this crackdown is about to hit harder than ever.
It all comes down to teamwork, tougher laws, and high-tech surveillance designed to cut off illicit cash at the source.
Strengthening cooperation
In February 2025, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both leaders agreed to enhance law enforcement collaboration. They decided that illegal gambling and telecom fraud were growing cross-border threats and pledged to take coordinated action.
China is also working with neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, to combat these crimes. Discussions within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have focused on reinforcing regional cooperation against online gambling, with China offering support to strengthen law enforcement capabilities.
While Thailand considers legalising 바카라s to regulate and tax the industry, China remains wary. Officials worry that even well-regulated gambling could fuel underground networks. Some argue that established platforms like demonstrate how a structured, legal market can offer players safer alternatives while keeping illicit operations in check.
Coordinated efforts to tackle crime
Thailand and China are implementing measures to disrupt illegal gambling networks and prevent cross-border scams. These include:
- Strengthened law enforcement collaboration: Thailand and China are teaming up with Myanmar and Laos to share intelligence and launch joint crackdowns. ASEAN forums are also pushing for stronger legal action against cross-border crime.
- Targeting cross-border scams: Authorities are tightening border controls, particularly along the Thai-Myanmar border, where they have identified scam centres linked to organised crime. Recent measures include cutting power supplies to known scam operation hubs to disrupt their activities.
- Legal and Judicial Cooperation: Thailand and China are sharpening their legal tools and training officers to take on cybercrime and illegal gambling. Extradition pacts will make sure fugitives don’t slip away.
- Technological Surveillance: China is tracking illegal money flows with high-tech surveillance, cutting off criminal cash before it fuels more gambling scams.
ASEAN’s role in the crackdown
The fight against illegal gambling is gaining momentum, and ASEAN is right at the centre of it:
- Enhanced regional cooperation – ASEAN members are ramping up action against online gambling-related crimes, including human trafficking and money laundering.
- Specialised working groups – Focused task forces have been created to study illicit financial flows, while a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Singapore is working to neutralise cyber threats.
- Raising awareness – New campaigns aim to educate the public on the risks of online gambling scams.
Challenges at the Thai-Myanmar border
The Thai-Myanmar border has become a hotbed for illegal gambling, where crime syndicates and scam rings operate with ease because of weak enforcement. Crime syndicates and militias are thriving in the chaos, but Thailand is hitting back by cutting power to known scam hubs to shut them down.
Deeper economic ties with China have advantages, but Thailand must tread carefully to avoid overdependence. At the same time, the debate over 바카라 legalisation continues, with officials weighing financial gains against regulatory risks.
Government crackdowns are only part of the bigger gambling regulation debate. While illicit gambling networks are being targeted, regulated gaming platforms highlight how legalised markets can offer players safer and more secure alternatives. As Thailand considers potential reforms, models from other jurisdictions could guide balancing regulation and consumer protection.
Thailand and China are tightening the screws on illegal gambling, tackling crime head-on while juggling the political and economic stakes.
