Malaysian internet becomes lifeline for border scam hubs after Thai shutdown
76
Hsu/Thant Zin (NP News) - March 19
Because Thailand has cut off internet access, online scam operations along the Myanmar–Thailand border have started switching to Malaysian internet services, a source familiar with the situation told The Statesman.
Malaysian internet services were first used around 2019 in the Myanmar–Thailand border town of Payathonzu Pass, and they are now widely used by online scam operations that have relocated to the area.
"When the NUG office was first established, they relied on Malaysian internet. Back then, in Payathonzu Pass, both Thai and Malaysian networks were available. The Malaysian connection came from servers in Malaysia, transmitted via satellite dishes. They used small, Chinese-made devices that cost around 18,000 kyat each. At the time, even domestic telecom companies provided the necessary training. Along the border, both Thai and Malaysian internet lines were secretly tapped, but the Malaysian network was the primary one. Myanmar's domestic internet couldn't be used at all. Back then, people used to call it 'Eagle Internet'.", one source explained.
Installing Malaysian internet can cost up to about 35,000 baht, and currently, many online scam operations in that area are using it to resume their activities.
"When they first set up those scam centers, it took time to get reliable internet. They relied mostly on Malaysian lines since Thai connections weren't dependable. Thai lines used to be the obvious choice as Myanmar's internet was just too poor. Even when Starlink came along, the Chinese operators didn't use it much at first. One dish could handle dozens of phones, though—at one compound, they had at least 16 of them. In the past, only big operators could afford Malaysian internet; a single dish ran 35,000 baht and supported just 40–50 phones, with installation costs hitting 20–30 million kyat," the source said.
The same source added that online scam operations slowly shifting along the Myanmar–Thailand border, particularly in Tanintharyi Region near Hteekhee have also begun using Malaysian internet lines.
"If the Thai lines fail, in Payathonzu Pass, they can connect via Malaysian internet broadcast through dishes. Right now, Malaysian internet dishes are being installed from Hteekhee all the way to Mawtaung–Meitta, extending coverage up to the Payathonzu Pass, with servers already in place," he said.
For online scam operations, the main requirements are internet access and electricity. To secure these resources, operators along the Myanmar–Thailand border have relied on supplies from neighboring countries. –