Myanmar Border Crisis Intensifies: Thai Media Calls for Overthrow of BGF Leader Saw Chit Thu
Bangkok, Thailand — Thai media outlets are increasingly vocal in their calls to overthrow Major General Saw Chit Thu, leader of Myanmar’s Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), amid escalating concerns over cross-border crime, human trafficking, and cyber fraud syndicates in the border region of Myawaddy.
A powerful commentary published by The Bangkok Post, penned by the newspaper's founder Pasakorn Chumlongkolrat, urges the Thai government to take decisive action, mirroring China’s crackdown on criminal enclaves along its borders. The piece calls for severing power and internet connections to regions under Saw Chit Thu’s control and advocates arming rebel factions to dismantle his “gray economy empire.”
The article points out that increasing pressure from both Bangkok and Beijing is making it more difficult for the BGF leader to maintain control over his business operations along the Moei River. This follows the highly publicized “Wang Xing Effect,” referring to the Chinese victim of cross-border fraud whose case exposed the vast network of transnational criminal syndicates in the region. The incident has prompted widespread protests in China and beyond, leading to increased scrutiny on the area.
As Chinese citizens become more aware of the fate shared by many like Wang Xing, public demand for action against criminal groups has surged. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has responded by urging countries in the region to collaborate in dismantling these networks. China has committed to cracking down on scam call centers and rescuing tens of thousands of Chinese nationals lured into illegal operations.
The Bangkok Post report details how vast swathes of Myanmar's Karen State, stretching from Myawaddy across the Moei River from Thailand's Tak Province to notorious hotspots like KK Park and "Valley of Ditches," have become havens for crime. Some areas across the Chong Kaeb border are controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) under leader Saw Kyaw La, who is also accused of colluding with criminal enterprises.
Over the past few years, Thailand has inadvertently become a gateway for these operations. Terrain controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), which fights alongside the People's Defense Forces (PDF) against Myanmar’s military, has also seen intensifying conflict as the junta attempts to reclaim strategic points, particularly the AH1 highway.
The Thai side of the border now serves as a corridor for various militias, including the BGF, DKBA, and KNU, while also providing a staging ground for criminal syndicates, particularly in regions under BGF and DKBA control. These groups, the article states, collect protection money and rent from illegal operations and are widely seen as accomplices of Chinese crime syndicates.
The report criticizes the Thai government's muted response, noting that while provincial authorities and the Royal Thai Police have been instructed to act, there is still no clear national strategy. Allegations of Thai officials receiving kickbacks from scammers have further complicated enforcement efforts.
The article draws parallels to China’s 2023 crackdown in Kokang, where authorities supported the Kokang Alliance Army in reclaiming territory from junta-aligned leader Bai Suocheng, who was ultimately extradited to China for prosecution. China’s influence has also extended to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), part of the "Three Brotherhood Alliance," and historically, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which previously dominated areas along the Thai-Myanmar border.
While many Karen factions have been accused of cooperating with criminals, the KNU remains an exception. The KNU leadership, described in the article as “true fighters,” has maintained its distance from human trafficking and cybercrime.
The Bangkok Post suggests that Thailand could consider supporting the KNU in an effort to rid Myawaddy of scam syndicates. Such a move, the piece argues, would be preferable to waiting for Myanmar's military regime — or China through diplomatic channels — to intervene. However, it warns that any escalation could destabilize Thailand’s control over its border areas, referencing the current situation in Mae Hong Son province, now heavily influenced by the UWSA and other armed groups involved in the narcotics trade.
The editorial concludes with a call to action: “It’s time the Thai government extends a hand of friendship to the resistance forces. We can no longer turn a blind eye while drug lords and criminals operate at our doorstep, pretending it’s ‘not our problem.’”
Recent photos show the BGF conducting military drills, suggesting that Saw Chit Thu is increasingly nervous about losing control. But with China cracking down on the crime syndicates financing his operations, the BGF leader — like Thailand — may soon find himself out of options.
