BANGKOK — Four Japanese tourists had their Thai visas revoked after authorities suspected them of attempting to join a transnational scammer operation through the Myanmar border.
National Police Inspector General Pol. Gen. Tatchai Pitaneelaboot, who heads both the Anti-Human Trafficking Center and Technology Crime Prevention Center, reported the case on February 7.
The suspects arrived in Mae Sot, Tak province by van on January 31, 2025, staying at a hotel on Intarakeeree Road. The following day, they checked out and took a taxi to the Rim Moei Market near the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge around noon. After briefly browsing the market like typical tourists, they disappeared.
Earlier that day, a Myanmar national named Mai arrived from Myawaddy to collect the suspects’ luggage from their hotel and returned to Myanmar without passing through Thai customs.
Investigation revealed the four men have outstanding drug-related arrest warrants in Japan, according to information from the Japanese Embassy in Thailand. Though their Thai visas were valid until March 31, 2025, authorities revoked them due to their status as prohibited persons.
“These individuals are members of a criminal organization posing a threat to society and likely attempting to join call center scam operations,” said Pol. Gen. Tatchai. “We’ve blacklisted them from entering Thailand as part of our ongoing intensive efforts to combat transnational crime and scammer networks.”
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