HK victim flies home as Thai leader threatens power move on Myanmar

Henry Siu and agencies

One more Hong Kong woman trapped in a cyber-scam center in Myanmar has been rescued and left Thailand for Hong Kong accompanied by the Security Bureau's dedicated task force.

The bureau said the task force met the woman, 31, in Bangkok yesterday morning and found her in good mental and physical condition - but tired.

In a news briefing last night, Assistant Secretary for Security Paddy Yuen Pak-kei said: "Police will arrange meetings with her later to further investigate the case. Her family did not pay ransom for her release.

"She was scammed into traveling to Thailand in the first half of last year and was eventually taken to Myanmar."

Yuen said a list of the remaining nine missing Hongkongers was submitted to Thai authorities and "we will find suitable solutions based on their circumstances."

At least 12 Hongkongers were trapped in scam centers when the task force departed for Thailand last month. Three of them have been released so far.

Thailand, at the same time, said it is looking to cut power to Myanmar towns linked to the scam operations, escalating actions after the high-profile trafficking of Chinese actor Wang Xing.

The National Security Council said evidence showed transnational crime syndicates operating in Myanmar's Tachileik, Myawaddy and Payathonzu as it outlined areas that the power cuts will likely target.

"There is no hesitation on this," Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said. "This has had a significant impact on Thais and the country's image."

Paetongtarn's comment came before she flies to China today when she is expected to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss trade cooperation as well as cyberfraud scams in Thailand's neighboring countries.

Paetongtarn will also ask Xi to help reassure Chinese tourists that it is safe to travel to Thailand, amid concerns some visitors have canceled trips after last month's viral trafficking of Wang.

Across Southeast Asia, cyber scam operations have been expanding, particularly in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Often run by Chinese fugitives who fled their home nation in 2020 following a domestic crackdown, they have taken cover in areas of Myanmar where the military regime is losing control to rebels.

Earlier yesterday, defense minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the government can order the Provincial Electricity Authority, which supplies power to Myanmar, to stop doing so as an urgent matter of national security.

Last week, Thailand approved new legal measures to require banks, telecom operators and social media platforms to be proactive in preventing online scams and be jointly responsible for financial losses suffered by victims.