Thai Authorities Cut Power to Myanmar Border Towns Amid Crackdown on Gambling and Crime
Thailand’s electricity authority cut off power to two towns in Myanmar’s Kayin (Karen) State, which is home to the reputed hotbed of new casino developments, illegal online gambling, and scam operations, as well as human trafficking. The area includes Shwe Kokko and Lay Lay Kaw, where Yatai New City, a Chinese-led investment project, is being built. The decision was made by the Thai government at the request of Myanmar’s junta, which has been accused of widespread human rights abuses. The move is part of a crackdown on crime in the border area, which has become a hub for human trafficking, illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and cyber scams.
The Yatai New City Project
The Yatai New City project, worth $15 billion, began construction in 2017 as a joint venture between the Kayin State Border Guard Force and wealthy Chinese businessman She Zhijiang. The former consists of ex-insurgent groups now on the payroll of the military junta, while the latter was revealed in October 2010 to be a fugitive from Chinese justice wanted on illegal gambling charges. Yatai New City was supposed to be a high-tech business hub, a “smart city” of “science and technology, gambling and entertainment, tourism, culture, and agriculture,” according to planning documents. It claimed to be a special economic zone (SEZ) backed by the Chinese government as part of its “Belt and Road” initiative, but the development isn’t an official SEZ and has been denounced by the Chinese government.
Comments
The crackdown on illegal online gambling and crime in the Myanmar border area is a positive move towards ensuring the safety and security of the local communities. However, it is important to note that the development of such illegal activities is often a result of poverty and lack of economic opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial for governments to provide alternative means of livelihood and sustainable economic development to prevent the proliferation of such illegal activities in the future. At the same time, it is important for the online gambling industry to operate within legal frameworks and regulations to ensure fair play and protect consumers.
[Tag: gambling, online gambling, Myanmar, China, Thai government]