India is preparing to bring home approximately 500 of its citizens from Thailand. This repatriation follows a recent operation against a significant online scam hub in Myanmar, which prompted many workers to flee across the border into Thailand. The announcement came from the Thai Prime Minister on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
These sprawling digital fraud compounds, often employing individuals to execute romance and business scams, have proliferated along Myanmar’s loosely controlled border regions. Their growth has been particularly pronounced amidst the country’s civil conflict, which began with a military coup in 2021.
Over the past week, one of the most infamous centers, known as KK Park, reportedly faced raids. This action caused hundreds of individuals to escape across the Moei River into the Thai border town of Mae Sot.
This recent disruption occurred after an investigation earlier this month highlighted the ongoing and rapid construction of new scam centers in the border areas, despite a previously announced crackdown in February.
According to authorities in Thailand’s Tak province, more than 1,500 people from 28 different nations have crossed into Thailand since the start of the KK Park operation up to Tuesday evening.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the presence of nearly 500 Indian nationals in Mae Sot and stated, “The Indian government will send a plane to take them back directly.”
While many individuals working in these scam factories claim they were trafficked, experts suggest that some workers are also drawn by appealing salary offers, knowingly entering these operations.
Prime Minister Anutin did not specify whether the Indian citizens were considered victims or perpetrators. The Indian embassy has yet to comment on the matter.
Analysts note that Myanmar’s military has often overlooked these scam centers, which benefit their allied militias – groups vital to their ongoing struggle against rebel forces.
However, the ruling junta has faced increasing pressure to dismantle these fraud operations, particularly from China, a key military backer, which is frustrated by its own citizens being both involved in and targeted by these scams.
A previous crackdown in February resulted in the repatriation of about 7,000 workers and saw Thailand implement an internet blockade across the border to disrupt the scam factories’ communications.