16-2-2025 (BANGKOK) Thai authorities have successfully rescued a second Japanese teenager from the clutches of a human trafficking ring operating along the Myanmar-Thai border, marking a concerning trend in the exploitation of young Japanese nationals.
The 16-year-old boy was safely extracted from a scam syndicate in Myanmar on Wednesday, with Thai officials confirming his subsequent departure from Mae Sot in the company of Japanese Embassy personnel. This rescue follows closely on the heels of another case involving a Japanese high-school student who was similarly liberated and repatriated just weeks prior.
In a related development, Thai immigration police have apprehended a 29-year-old Japanese national believed to be responsible for enticing the first student into a fraudulent call centre operation in Myawaddy. The suspect’s arrest on Thursday underscores the sophisticated nature of these criminal networks.
Commander Nattakorn Reantip of the Thai army’s Ratchamanu Task Force expressed grave concerns about additional Japanese nationals potentially trapped in these illegal operations. His assessment gains credence from the recent arrest of four Japanese citizens who allegedly participated willingly in these schemes.
Thai authorities have adopted an innovative approach to combating these criminal enterprises, implementing a power supply embargo to Myanmar since 5 February. This strategic move has yielded significant results, with Commander Reantip noting increased pressure on the predominantly Chinese-run syndicates.
The effectiveness of this tactic is evidenced by the liberation of more than 260 foreign nationals from various scam operations since the power suspension began. These individuals have been handed over to Thai authorities in the northwest region by local ethnic rebel forces.
