Targeting Cambodian Senator Ly Yong Phat and Prince Group Chairman Chen Zhi
Over 1,000 Flee to Thailand After Myanmar Crime Compound Crackdown
Authorities Investigate Whether They Are Victims
The Thai government has launched a crackdown on major figures linked to Cambodian crime compounds (fraud operations), including associates of Cambodia's power holders, by revoking their Thai citizenship and conducting investigations.
According to Bloomberg News on the 25th (local time), Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order the previous day to strip Ly Yong Phat, a 67-year-old senator from Cambodia's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and a prominent businessman, of his Thai citizenship.
The Thai Ministry of Interior explained that Ly Yong Phat's actions undermine Thailand's national security and public interest, and that his citizenship was revoked to prevent potential harm to Thai citizens. Ly Yong Phat is a close associate of Hun Sen, the President of the Cambodian Senate and de facto leader of Cambodia, and had obtained Thai citizenship under the name Phat Suphaphat.
In September last year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Ly Yong Phat and five companies he owns, citing their involvement in illegal activities such as fraud, human trafficking, and forced labor, including asset freezes and bans on transactions with U.S. companies. The Treasury Department's report stated that large-scale fraud operations were conducted at Ly Yong Phat's resort, where severe human rights abuses such as forced labor and mistreatment occurred. Victims were lured by job offers, brought to the site, then detained and forced to engage in voice phishing scams, subjected to assault and electric shock torture, and in some cases became victims of human trafficking.
According to Thai daily newspapers The Nation and Bangkok Post, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) under the Ministry of Justice has launched an investigation into Prince International, a Thai company allegedly linked to the notorious Cambodian crime compound "Prince Compound" operated by the "Prince Group." On the previous day, DSI questioned two Thai shareholders of Prince International. They claimed that Prince International is a real estate brokerage and is completely separate from Prince Group. They also provided records showing that about 90% of the company's revenue comes from domestic real estate rentals in Thailand.
The Ministry of Justice stated that the DSI, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Bank of Thailand, and other relevant authorities are investigating fraud organizations, including money laundering cases related to Chen Zhi, the 39-year-old chairman and owner of Prince Group. However, suspicions of a connection to Prime Minister Anutin have arisen after it was revealed that the company's office is located in Sino-Thai Tower, a high-rise building in Bangkok owned by Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Group, the Anutin family's business.
In response, Prime Minister Anutin stated that Prince International is merely a tenant, and if any illegal activities by the company are uncovered, legal action will be taken immediately and the office lease will not be renewed. The Ministry of Justice also explained that, so far, there is no evidence that any Thai politician or public official is involved. However, Borapack Tanyawan, Deputy Minister of Finance of Thailand, who was recently embroiled in allegations of involvement with fraud organizations, resigned on the 22nd, stating that he has never participated in any illegal activities but will focus on legal matters.
Meanwhile, the Thai government announced that after the military regime in Myanmar, which is also notorious for fraud compounds alongside Cambodia, recently began cracking down on such operations, more than 1,000 related individuals have crossed from Myanmar into Thailand and are undergoing immigration screening by Thai authorities. On the 20th, the Myanmar military regime raided "KK Park," a crime compound located in the border area of Kayin State in southeastern Myanmar, adjacent to Thailand.
As a result, by the morning of the previous day, 1,049 people had crossed into the Mae Sot area of Tak Province in northwestern Thailand, adjacent to KK Park. According to the Tak Provincial Government, most of them are Chinese men, but there are also individuals from Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, India, and Pakistan. The majority are believed to have come from KK Park, and Thai authorities are investigating whether they are victims of human trafficking. If they are not found to be victims, authorities are considering prosecuting them for illegal entry.
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