By Ra Wai / MPA
Justice For Myanmar (JFM), an activist group advocating for justice and accountability in Myanmar, called on the Thai government Tuesday to seek arrest warrants for leaders of the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).
The JFM has welcomed Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) efforts to investigate three Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) leaders—Saw Chit Thu (real name San Myint), Tin Win, and Motethone—on human trafficking charges and its move toward issuing arrest warrants.
The organization urged the Thai government to expedite the process and formally apply for the warrants in court, stating that doing so would be a crucial step in addressing the crimes committed by Karen BGF leaders along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Amid growing domestic and international pressure to crack down on transnational criminal networks, JFM emphasized that issuing arrest warrants must be part of Thailand’s broader efforts to combat these crimes.
Ma Yadanar Maung, a spokesperson for JFM, said, “The DSI’s investigations into the Karen BGF leaders are a positive sign. Now, the Thai government must follow through by applying for the arrest warrants. This is a critical step toward ensuring accountability for those harmed by the crimes of the Karen BGF.”
JFM also stressed that Thai authorities should address the Myanmar military junta, which it described as the root cause of cyber scams and human trafficking operations.
The junta relies on financial resources to sustain its violent campaigns against the people of Myanmar. As long as Thailand continues to provide political legitimacy to the junta and financial support through natural gas purchases, cyber scams and human trafficking will persist, the group warned.
“As Myanmar’s neighbor and an ASEAN member, Thailand has a clear responsibility to take decisive action against the military junta—cutting off its funding, weapons, and aviation fuel supplies—while also addressing the crisis in Myanmar and the devastating impact of cyber scams,” Ma Yadanar Maung added.
Recently, Thailand has taken steps to disrupt criminal activities along the Myanmar border, including cutting electricity, fuel, and internet access to areas where large-scale cyber scam operations are based.
As a result, hundreds of workers who were trapped in these scam compounds have been rescued and handed over to Thai authorities, who have accepted them.
