Ekasit Urges Government to Form ASEAN Cyber Taskforce – Cut Power, Cut Internet to Crush Transnational Scamming Rings

On October 23, 2025, at 10:32 a.m., Ekasit Kunanantakul, leader of the Thai’s People Party and former secretary to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, urged the Thai government to take decisive action to suppress transnational scam syndicates and call-center operations that continue to inflict financial and social harm on the public. He warned that scams ranging from investment fraud and money transfer cons to fraudulent overseas job offers have become increasingly destructive and often cross-national borders.

Ekasit said the problem cannot be solved by domestic measures alone and called for the establishment of an ASEAN Cyber Taskforce to facilitate regional data sharing, track illicit financial flows, and push for multilateral agreements on cybercrime. He named Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam as key bases for these criminal networks and urged cooperation with major cyber powers to strengthen enforcement and intelligence-sharing.

On operational tactics, Ekasit advocated a proactive approach he described as “cut power-cut internet”, combined with advanced network monitoring to permanently disrupt criminals’ communication channels. He cited his prior experience working with Cambodia’s anti-cybercrime unit (PCT) while serving in the digital ministry, saying the collaboration led to successful raids on call centers in Phnom Penh and the rescue of more than 100 Thai women who had been deceived into forced labour.

Beyond technical measures, he stressed the need for public education to build digital resilience, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, youth and online workers. He recommended sustained awareness campaigns via television, social media and schools, tougher legal penalties to deter offenders, and the creation of a permanent Anti-Scammer Operations Center under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society staffed by cyber experts.

Responding to rumours that seven Thai politicians may be linked to scam operations, Ekasit urged a transparent investigation and immediate punishment for any confirmed wrongdoing. He emphasized that elected officials, as public representatives, must not be implicated in criminal enterprises that reap vast illicit profits. “Suppressing scammers and call centers is not impossible,” he said. “If the government is sincere, sets clear policy and works with neighboring countries, we can eliminate these networks entirely.”

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Source of material: official media /online news