The government is taking action to combat call center scam gangs by seeking cooperation from neighboring countries through the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) meeting. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to address the issue with participating countries and develop effective strategies to tackle cross-border crimes, including call center scams. The 9th MLC meeting is set to take place in Chiang Mai on Thursday and Friday.
Maris emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in combating transnational crimes such as the narcotics trade, human trafficking, and fraud. Countries like Laos, China, and India have already shown commitment to enhancing cooperation to address these issues. Thailand is prepared to propose and advance this agenda through the MLC framework and has expressed gratitude to Laos for intensifying crackdowns on call center scams in the Golden Triangle area.
During the upcoming 9th MLC meeting, Prime Minister Srettha will deliver a keynote speech titled “Towards Safer and Cleaner Mekong Lancang.” A joint press conference will follow the meeting with Foreign Minister Maris and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The MLC framework consists of six countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and China. Initially launched by Thailand in 2012, the MLC aims to strengthen cooperation in the Mekong region, focusing on sustainable development, reducing disparities, and advancing ASEAN collaboration.
In recent years, call center scams have become a prevalent issue in the region, targeting unsuspecting individuals and causing financial losses. These scams often involve fraudulent calls made by criminal syndicates seeking to deceive people into providing personal information or transferring money under false pretenses. The collaboration between countries in the MLC framework is a crucial step towards addressing this growing problem and protecting citizens from falling victim to such scams.
By working together to share information, resources, and expertise, countries can better equip themselves to combat cross-border crimes effectively. The MLC meeting serves as a platform for discussions, agreements, and actions that will strengthen regional cooperation and lead to a safer and more secure Mekong-Lancang region. The collective efforts of participating countries demonstrate a shared commitment to combating transnational crimes and creating a more resilient and sustainable future for the region.