Bangkok Post – Government wants MLC meeting to tackle scam gangs

The government will use this week’s Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) meeting to seek cooperation with neighbouring countries to tackle the problem of call centre scams.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he had instructed Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to discuss the issue with participating countries and explore effective strategies to deal with cross-border crime, including addressing call center fraud. The 9th MLC meeting is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Chiang Mai.

Mr. Maris stressed that regional cooperation is crucial to solving transnational crime, including drug trafficking, human trafficking and fraud. He said that the governments of Laos, China and India attach importance to transnational crime and have agreed to enhance cooperation to address these issues.

He added that Thailand stands ready to propose and promote this agenda through the MLC framework, while expressing gratitude to Laos, which has stepped up its efforts to tackle call centre fraud in its part of the Golden Triangle.

During the 9th MLC meeting on Friday, Mr Srettha will deliver a keynote speech titled “Towards a Safer and Cleaner Mekong Lancang,” a source said.

According to the source, after the MLC foreign ministers’ meeting, a joint press conference will be held by Mr Maris and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

The MLC framework includes six countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and China. It was initiated by Thailand in 2012 and aims to strengthen cooperation in the Mekong region with a focus on sustainable development, reducing inequalities and promoting ASEAN cooperation.