BANGKOK, September 20, 2025 – The Thai Immigration Bureau has firmly rejected allegations made in a recent Reuters investigation that claimed Thai officials were complicit in trafficking foreign nationals into Myanmar to work in cyber scam centres. At a press conference today, Police Major General Cherngron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, described the report as “essentially fictional” and urged media outlets to verify information rigorously before publication, Khaosod reported.

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The Reuters multimedia report, titled “They traveled to Thailand. They wound up cyber scam slaves in Myanmar,” was published earlier this week. It was based on interviews with nine individuals from Africa and Asia who alleged they were trafficked through Thailand into Myanmar. A central account came from an East African IT consultant identified as “Oly,” who claimed he arrived in Thailand in November 2024 and was allegedly handed over by an immigration officer to hotel staff at the baggage carousel before being transported to a scam compound in Myanmar. The story was republished by several Thai media outlets, sparking concerns over potential damage to the nation’s reputation.

Addressing these claims directly, Pol Maj Gen Cherngron stated that a thorough review of immigration records for November 2024 found 62 names similar to “Oly.” However, only two were from East Africa: a Ugandan man who entered via Phuket and a Kenyan woman who transited through Dubai. The review found no record of any Ethiopian nationals entering during that period, casting doubt on the specific origin of the source. The official also challenged the plausibility of the account’s details, noting that baggage claim areas at airports are highly restricted zones where even senior immigration officers cannot enter without specific clearance.

Pol Maj Gen Cherngron further questioned the logistics described in the report, pointing to the alleged eight-hour journey from Bangkok to Mae Sot. He noted the individual’s claim of having slept throughout the trip while simultaneously reporting knowledge that the vehicle had gone off course was inconsistent. Emphasizing Thailand’s proactive measures, he highlighted that since January 2025, the kingdom has significantly tightened checks at its borders. These measures specifically target two groups: foreign nationals suspected of involvement in call centre scams and individuals identified as potential trafficking victims. To date, these efforts have resulted in 16,538 people being denied entry, including 303 from South Asia and Africa, while 5,278 interviews have been conducted to identify possible victims.

Thai Commander of Immigration Division 2 also highlighted several logistical impossibilities in the Reuters account. #thailand #immigration #reuters https://t.co/sHqyJFw3kK

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) September 21, 2025

The Immigration Bureau Commander suggested the Reuters report follows a pattern of negative portrayals of Thailand in international media, citing the recent BBC documentary “The Dark Side of Paradise” as another example. He underscored Thailand’s active cooperation with foreign governments to dismantle trafficking networks and facilitate the repatriation of victims from Myanmar. He also cautioned that some individuals falsely claim victim status to avoid prosecution for their own involvement in scam operations, adding that such names are now flagged within immigration databases to prevent abuse of the system.

The rebuttal comes amid conflicting international perspectives. Kenya’s ambassador to Thailand, Lindsay Kiptiness, told Reuters that he had supported hundreds of rescues of his citizens and stated that victims consistently reported being escorted through Thai airports by officials. In response, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that while it had not received any direct reports containing such specific allegations, it remains committed to investigating any credible evidence presented to it.

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Concluding the press conference, Pol Maj Gen Cherngron stood by his position, stating unequivocally that “Reuters’ allegations are unfounded.” He called on Thai media to exercise caution and journalistic responsibility by not repeating unverified claims. The dispute underscores the ongoing tensions between Thailand’s publicized anti-trafficking efforts and the persistent international scrutiny regarding its role in the regional cybercrime epidemic.

-Thailand News (TN)