Thailand mulls border wall at Cambodia’s Poipet amid gambling crackdown
Thailand is considering construction of a border wall along part of its frontier with Cambodia’s Poipet to curb illegal crossings and combat the growing cyber-scam industry. The proposal comes amid an ongoing crackdown on organised crime syndicates operating in neighbouring countries.
Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsab confirmed that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed officials to assess the feasibility of erecting a barrier to prevent the movement of call-centre fraudsters, drug traffickers, and contraband smugglers, reported. Discussions on the proposal will involve Thailand’s Foreign and Defence Ministries in coordination with Cambodian authorities.
The move follows a series of stringent measures by Thai authorities targeting scam centres along its border with Myanmar. Over the past six weeks, Thailand has disrupted these operations by cutting off power, internet, and fuel supplies to known scam hubs.
Pressure intensifies at multiple fronts
Cybercriminal networks, largely controlled by Chinese organised crime groups, have flourished in the Mekong region since the COVID-19 pandemic, luring thousands of victims into fraudulent schemes while also engaging in human trafficking.
Pressure from China intensified following the high-profile abduction of a Chinese actor in January, who was later rescued from a scam centre in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Last week, China’s Vice-Minister of Public Security, Liu Zhongyi, led a delegation to Cambodia’s Poipet International Border Checkpoint, where he held high-level talks with Cambodian officials on 2 March 2025. The discussions aimed to strengthen cross-border security and crack down on online fraud and illegal gambling.
During his visit, Liu met key Cambodian officials, including the Chairman of the Provincial Council, the Provincial Governor, and senior security and administrative officers. Talks focused on tackling online scams and illegal border crossings, with both sides committing to deeper cooperation against transnational crime. Simultaneously, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs met with China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs to reinforce broader security and diplomatic ties.
Poipet: a haven for illicit gambling
Poipet, a border town near Thailand, has long been notorious for its 바카라s, both legal and illegal, due to its proximity to Bangkok and Pattaya. With increasing scrutiny on these operations, Thai authorities have shifted their focus to Poipet. In response, Thailand has already suspended mobile phone signals along the border to disrupt scammers’ communication networks.
Last week, Thai and Cambodian police conducted a joint raid in Poipet, rescuing 215 individuals, including 119 Thai nationals, who were subsequently deported. Reports suggest that cybercriminals have been relocating from Myanmar to Cambodia in a bid to evade crackdowns.
While Thailand considers a border wall, concerns remain over Cambodia’s commitment to eliminating cyber fraud. Analysts warn that entrenched relationships between Cambodian officials and criminal syndicates could pose significant challenges to efforts aimed at dismantling these illicit networks.
