India to fly home 500 from Thailand after scam hub raid: Thai PM

India will repatriate 500 of its citizens in Thailand after a crackdown on a fraud center in Myanmar led to workers fleeing across the border, the Prime Minister of Thailand said on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Sprawling settlements have developed along Myanmar’s loosely governed border, where internet scammers target people desperate for love and business during the civil war triggered by a 2021 coup.

Since last week, KK Park, one of the most notorious centres, has been rocked by apparent raids, with hundreds of people fleeing across the border river to the Thai town of Mae Sot.

The uprising followed AFP This month’s investigation found rapid construction of border fraud centers despite a highly publicized crackdown in February.

According to the Tak administration of the border region, more than 1,500 people from 28 countries crossed into Thailand from the beginning of the crackdown on KK Park until Tuesday evening.

“About 500 Indians are in Mae Sot,” Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters. “The Indian government will send a plane to take them back directly.”

Many people working in fraudulent factories say they are trafficked, but analysts say workers also go willingly to receive attractive salary offers.

Mr. Anutin did not say whether Indian citizens were treated as criminals or victims, and the Indian embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Experts say Myanmar’s military has long turned a blind eye to fraud centers that benefit militia allies who are key collaborators in the fight against insurgents.

However, the junta also faced pressure from its military backer China, which was disturbed by the fact that its citizens were both participating in and being targeted by these frauds, to stop the fraud operations.

Nearly 7,000 workers were repatriated in February’s crackdown, and Thailand imposed a cross-border internet blockade in a bid to stop fraudulent factories.