Watch New Scam Centers Emerging Along Tak Province Border: Shift from New Cities to Dispersed Hubs - Thairath English
Watch new scam centers emerging densely along the Tak Province border, just 5 km from Thailand. A popular Myanmar-related Facebook page revealed a shift from the "new city" model toward "dispersed centers combined with gray-area businesses," continuing to grow until there is a shortage of workers.
Today (6 Nov 2026), the Facebook pageNatty Loves Myanmarof Natty Arwhee Taengmeesang who has closely followed Thai-Myanmar border issues for a long time, raised the topic of a "suspicious area" that might be a new scam center near the border of Mae Ramat District, Tak Province, only 5 kilometers from Thailand. Satellite images show large building constructions along with a solar farm, stating that
"High-resolution satellite images reveal ongoing land development, multiple buildings under construction, and a large solar farm system, indicating preparations of infrastructure for long-term use.
At the same time, the detection of large numbers of fuel tanks in the Mae Ramat area raises further questions about these activities. The fuel may be used for heavy machinery such as excavators and trucks for land preparation, as well as power generators within the project."
The key questions are: What kind of operations are being prepared here? And is this area connected to transnational scam networks active along the border?
Although there is not yet enough information to confirm this as a new scam base, the size of the area, multiple buildings, energy systems, and fuel activity are all issues that require close monitoring."
Thairath Online special team discussed details of this issue with Natty Arwhee who revealed she received reports from human trafficking victim support groups about a new scam center near Mae Ramat District. She verified this through satellite images and field visits, noting that most buildings are newly constructed within the past year and do not yet appear on digital maps like Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Upon investigation, multiple large buildings suspected to be scam centers were found across the border opposite Mae Ramat, only 5 km from the Thai border. Besides this site, there is growth of scam centers in various border areas, such as in Kamamae District, Myanmar, opposite Phop Phra District, with large centers housing thousands of workers visible from Thailand, and others scattered deeper from the border.
"Currently, from Tha Song Yang, Mae Ramat, Mae Sot, Phop Phra down to the valley, there is widespread dispersion of many scam sites. Information from insiders in one scam center reveals constant transfers of people between locations and a shortage of workers due to ongoing expansion, forcing those who want to leave to pay a ransom to free themselves."
These movements include relocating workers to new sites and escaping authorities. During raids, Chinese leaders are reportedly warned in advance to relocate workers in time.
Natty Arwhee describes the current situation as a new era of scam centers, which emerged after crackdowns on KK Park and parts of Shwe Kokko. Instead of hiding within new cities or special economic zones with other businesses and residents, the current centers focus solely on scamming, combined with gray-area businesses such as KTV, casinos, and prostitution.
The current status of "KK Park" can be said to be nonexistent, as most buildings were destroyed by explosives. However, scam gangs have not disappeared but moved deeper toward mountainous areas. Meanwhile, parts of "Shwe Kokko" were partially destroyed by explosives, so some scam gangs remain active inside, while others moved up the hills after building demolitions.
Most new scam centers, especially opposite Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, and Tha Song Yang districts, primarily target Western foreign victims, which might explain why many people have yet to notice the return of these scams.
Thai victims are mostly involved in service work, but many Thai workers have been moved from Cambodia to Myanmar, mainly in Myawaddy District, working in casinos, online gambling, and some suspected of scamming, frequently crossing between Thailand and Myanmar.
The Myanmar government has also intermittently cracked down, including last week in Tachileik District, but this is considered more ceremonial as advance warnings are given.
Border scams have been a longstanding problem. Despite periods of government crackdowns, these operations persist. Natty Arwhee believes related agencies may claim they lack authority to intervene in Myanmar territory, but Thailand acts as an enabler by supplying essential resources such as construction equipment, communication devices, food, and daily necessities transported daily across the border due to convenience and proximity.
"From conversations with former scam center insiders, nearly all supplies come from Thailand and China, with almost none from Myanmar. Currently, Mae Sot is very active with constant cross-border trade."
It is believed many involved parties are aware the problem is resurging but have not taken action, partly due to less pressure than before and greater focus on Cambodian border issues. However, the current situation is very concerning. The immediate step Thai authorities can take is to crack down on "Thai facilitators" who are involved in or support these scam centers seriously.
"Although the Prime Minister has declared serious intentions to solve the issue, without visible enforcement on the ground, this problem will never end."
