BANGKOK — 3 May 2026, Thailand is expanding cooperation with the United States to crack down on call-centre scam networks and human trafficking, as it seeks to upgrade its global ranking on trafficking prevention and boost investor and tourism confidence, a government spokesperson said.
Ratchada Thanadirek, deputy government spokesperson, said Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared the suppression of transnational crime and scam operations a national agenda.
She said authorities have made major progress, including asset seizures and legal action against Ben Smith and Yim Liak and associates, with assets worth more than 20 billion baht confiscated or frozen. Investigations have also expanded to other groups using Thailand as a base for money laundering.
Authorities have also dismantled large call-centre scam networks along the Thai-Cambodian border, where more than 10,000 people of various nationalities were found to have been trafficked and forced into labour, including romance scams and fraudulent investment schemes.
Ratchada said the prime minister has instructed all sectors to eradicate call-centre gangs and trafficking networks along border areas, both inside and outside the country, and vowed Thailand would not allow itself to be used as a transit point for such crimes.
She said Thai and US officials held talks in Washington, D.C., from 21–25 April to strengthen practical cooperation in tackling transnational call-centre scams, human trafficking and online crime. The Thai delegation was led by Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, with representatives from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Social Development and Human Security Ministry and the Labour Ministry.
The two sides agreed to deepen intelligence-sharing and operational coordination. Ratchada noted that in the past year, American victims lost more than $6 billion (about 190 billion baht) to such crimes.
She said Thailand aims to move from Tier 2 to Tier 1 in global human trafficking assessments after remaining at Tier 2 for four consecutive years, in order to enhance the country’s image and strengthen confidence in the economy, investment and tourism.
The Royal Thai Police plans to launch the “SHIELD” system in June 2026 as a data-sharing hub among more than 10 countries to improve the prevention and suppression of call-centre scams and trafficking networks in the region.
Thailand has also received praise from the United States for establishing the IAC War Room, which integrates data with financial institutions and mobile network operators, enabling faster account freezes and asset recovery for victims, Ratchada said. Close cooperation with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has also led to multiple arrests and asset seizures.
“The tangible results, including expanded international cooperation, enhanced investigative systems and continued suppression of transnational criminal networks, reflect the government’s commitment to protecting the public and safeguarding national security, while advancing Thailand towards sustainable international standards,” she said.
