A general view of Myanmar's Myawaddy town is seen from across the Thai side in Mae Sot district on April 11, 2024.
Thailand will cut electricity, fuel supply, and Internet services to five areas in Myanmar along the Thai-Myanmar border starting on Wednesday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced on Tuesday.
Phumtham, who also serves as the defense minister, made the announcement after chairing a meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters, he said that online fraud has caused serious harm to Thai citizens and become a national security issue. The Thai government's investigation found that these five connection points are linked to online scam activities.
"Starting from 9am on Wednesday, electricity, fuel supply, and Internet services will be cut off to Myanmar-based power distributors at all five connection points," he said, adding that Thai authorities have notified their Myanmar counterparts of the decision.
According to Thai media reports, the five affected supply points are located within Myanmar's border regions, including Myawaddy in Shan State.
Thailand first approved electricity exports to Myanmar in 1992 and 1994, with power supplied by the Provincial Electricity Authority. Under the agreements, Thailand reserves the right to unilaterally terminate electricity supply if the recipient violates regulations, without bearing liability for compensation.
Source: Xinhua
