The scam buildings along the Thai border have been used as gathering points for Cambodian military forces after border clashes, with hopes that Thailand will use this opportunity to dismantle the bases and help over a thousand victims.
Thailand has destroyed more than six Cambodian scam buildings, two of which have been sanctioned by the U.S. for long-term fraud targeting Americans. Notably, at least two main buildings—a resort and a casino hotel—were financially sanctioned and had their owners' assets seized due to involvement in scams defrauding Americans. This raised questions about why these scam group headquarters buildings became military gathering points, possibly linked to financial channels for weapons purchases.
Thairath Online's special reporting team consulted Charuwat Chinmaka, Vice President of the Immanuel Foundation and coordinator for helping Thais abroad, who analyzed the use of scam buildings as military gathering points. He noted that the latest Thai military strikes targeted an old scam building that had been vacated after clashes. The building’s proximity to Thai territory, its solid construction, and its infrastructure—including paved roads important for transporting personnel and military equipment—make it strategically significant.
Along the border, there are several scam centers on the Cambodian side believed to serve as military gathering points, especially in Pailin city and O Bei Choan, located in Poipet city, just 4 to 5 kilometers from Sa Kaeo province in Thailand.
The Poipet area is a scam hub with significant military forces and weapons stockpiled, and its close proximity to Thailand adds to its strategic importance.
One root cause of the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia is Thailand's aggressive crackdown on scammers. Thus, Thailand can legitimately use this opportunity to destroy scam bases located along the border, as scammers have caused harm to innocent people worldwide.
"Thailand can seize this chance to assist victims still trapped and detained in multiple scam centers, including both Thai and foreign nationals. If successful, this would also justify Thailand's actions. Currently, it is estimated that about 3,000 to 4,000 Thais remain detained across Cambodia," he said.
Part of the money used by Cambodian leaders to buy weapons comes from illicit funds linked to scammers. Cambodia's overall economy is weak, so expensive weapons purchases rely on such gray money. This has led to many Chinese 'bosses' establishing bases in Cambodia.
Therefore, if Cambodia is to be destabilized, destroying the scam foundations is essential. If these are completely dismantled, Cambodia would lose the illicit funds needed to purchase weapons.
Currently, Chinese scam bosses have moved their bases deeper inside Cambodia as temporary headquarters. The Thai government should clearly announce this and use it as a justification for cracking down on scammers.