18-2-2025 (BANGKOK) High-level discussions are underway between Myanmar, Chinese, and Thai officials regarding the fate of more than 1,000 foreign nationals detained during recent crackdowns on cybercrime operations in Myanmar’s border townships.
The talks, which commenced yesterday morning in Myawady, bring together Myanmar’s Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Major General Aung Kyaw Kyaw, Chinese Assistant Minister Liu Zhong Yi from the Ministry of Public Security, and General Daisa Insomlas representing Thailand’s Ministry of National Defence.
The joint delegation is conducting thorough inspections of detention facilities across Myawady, Shwe Kokko, and KK Park, where authorities have detained 1,030 foreign nationals between 30 January and 16 February following raids on suspected online gambling and fraud operations.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that many detainees entered Myanmar through unofficial border crossings after travelling through neighbouring countries, particularly Thailand. The trilateral task force is now working to verify the identities of those held and assess detention conditions before proceeding with repatriation efforts.
Major General Aung Kyaw Kyaw, speaking on behalf of the Central Committee for the Supervision of the Repatriation of Illegal Foreign Nationals, emphasised the Myanmar government’s commitment to dismantling illegal online operations in border regions. “We are taking decisive action against these criminal networks whilst ensuring proper legal procedures are followed for repatriation,” he stated.
