Thailand and China Strengthen Efforts Against Illegal Gambling
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, pledging to boost cooperation against illegal online gambling and telecom fraud.
Joint Efforts to Combat Transnational Crime
Both countries see illegal gambling and telecom fraud as growing threats. Lin emphasized that China’s crackdown aims to protect individuals from financial harm and strengthen regional security.
Illegal gambling hubs along the Thai-Myanmar border mirror offshore gambling networks banned in the Philippines. A BBC report highlighted cases of forced labor, abuse, and torture, with workers from China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent trapped in these operations.
ASEAN’s Role in Regional Security
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has increased efforts to fight cybercrime, human trafficking, and online fraud. Thailand, as a member, is reinforcing its commitment to dismantling illicit gambling networks that expanded during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This Thailand-China partnership strengthens regional cooperation in tackling transnational crime and protecting citizens across Southeast Asia.