By The Straits Times | Created at 2025-01-26 07:57:33 | Updated at 2025-01-27 06:19:14
23 hours ago
BANGKOK - The Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau launched an artificial-intelligence-generated video clip in Mandarin on Jan 25, featuring three recommendations to enable tourists to evade scammers’ tricks.
“Currently, scammers often set up their bases on the Thai border. If you receive a message or advertisement about working in Thailand, please check the information with extreme caution,” said the bureau chief, Police Lt Gen Trairong Piwpan.
He also advised three checks to avoid the risk of becoming a victim upon arrival in Thailand:
- Check up: Keep documents like passports on your person, ensure that your mobile phone is accessible at all times, and switch on a phone tracking system. If your phone does not have a tracking system, you should have a tracking device with yourself and your belongings.
- Check maps: Study routes before travelling and always check your Global Positioning System (GPS). You might reach a border accidentally, as it may not take long while travelling in Thailand.
- Check calls: In case of any abnormalities, immediately call Thai authorities at 1178, 1155 or 1441.
“Thailand is ready to protect all tourists, so please do not believe suspicious offers,” Lt Gen Trairong said, “If you need help, Thai police officers are always ready to offer a helping hand.”
On Jan 24, Thai police announced that a coordination centre would be set up at the national police headquarters in Bangkok.
This was part of an effort between Thailand and China to combat fast-growing networks of illegal call centres along the Thai border with Myanmar and Cambodia, often staffed by trafficked workers, that aim to defraud people in phone and online scams.
South-east Asia - especially border areas between Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia - has become a hub for telecom and other online fraud since the pandemic, according to the United Nations, which says hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked to work in scam centres.THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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