Thailand has launched 'SHIELD,' the world's first technology designed to dismantle call center gangs and transnational human trafficking networks, cutting off Thailand's use as a transit route and money laundering hub. Ten countries and global organizations have already adopted it as users.
Today (3 July 2026) at 10:00 a.m., Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Center (Deputy Commissioner/Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Center), hosted the closing ceremony of the second discussion on preventing and combating human trafficking related to cybercrime. This involved the Royal Thai Police, law enforcement officials from foreign countries, and representatives from international organizations. The event was a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Police. The ceremony was chaired by Mr. Nikorn Somklang, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, and attended by Ms. Pinthuda Chainam, Director-General of the Department of International Organizations; Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomchit, Assistant Commissioner and Acting Commander of Region 8/Deputy Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Center; Police Lieutenant General Krisda Kanchanalongkorn, Assistant Commissioner/Deputy Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Center; representatives from various agencies; and law enforcement officials from 11 countries. The event took place at the Foreign Affairs Club Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Thai government is decisively cracking down on transnational crime, recently advancing a proactive approach by launching 'SHIELD,' a cutting-edge technology developed by the Royal Thai Police. It is intended to suppress call center gangs and human trafficking networks, aiming to break the cycle of using Thailand as a transit route and money laundering center. Currently, 10 countries and global organizations have joined in using the technology.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the crackdown on call center gangs and human trafficking has been declared a "national priority," with directives for all agencies to integrate efforts for firm prevention and suppression.
Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the International Conference on the Global Partnership Against Internet Fraud Crimes from 17-18 December 2025 at the InterContinental Bangkok Hotel. The event involved 67 countries, international organizations, private sector, and civil society participants. Today, the achievements from those discussions have been elevated with the launch of the advanced technology developed by the Royal Thai Police called 'SHIELD,' recognized as the "world's first system" specifically designed to combat call center gangs and human trafficking networks. The system encompasses data exchange including locating call center bases, tracing criminals' financial routes, compiling offender network databases, and crucially, identifying victims to expedite assistance for human trafficking victims.
Currently, SHIELD technology has gained international trust and includes a network of partner countries: Australia, China, India, the United States, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam. It also involves key international organizations and cooperation centers, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Police General Dr. Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Center, who has been appointed by UNODC as the head of the task force against call center crime and human trafficking, added that the Royal Thai Police, under Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner of Police, is committed to ensuring SHIELD fosters international cooperation and enables rapid response to call center and human trafficking crimes. The Royal Thai Police will work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advance efforts in law enforcement and international diplomacy to ensure Thailand and countries worldwide are protected from crimes causing significant harm to humanity in the 21st century, in line with the strict and serious policies of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand.