Recently, the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Karen Border Guard, Su Chi Du, denied allegations in an interview with Thai media that he is the "biggest protector" of the Myawaddy telecom fraud park, questioning the legitimacy of the Thai authorities' plans to issue an arrest warrant against him.
In the interview, Su Chi Du stated that reports of his involvement in telecommunications fraud are "not true," and he has never had the opportunity to clarify the facts. He asked, "What crime have I committed?" and directly challenged the chairman of the Thai House of Representatives Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and Reform, Langsiman, to provide concrete evidence linking him to the fraud activities.
Su Chi Du emphasized that he is merely a land lessor in the Myawaddy area, with no connections to the telecom fraud groups. He mentioned that the rental income is used for local infrastructure development, including roads, schools, hospitals, hotels, etc., and that the land was originally a concession area for the Asia Pacific International Holdings Group to develop the Shwe Kokko new city project.
Su Chi Du recalled that as a Karen, he had a tough childhood and hopes to improve the lives of his people through economic development. However, he noted that during the pandemic, some tenants began to engage in telecom fraud activities in the area. He admitted that he was initially unaware of the telecom fraud activities but did not remain indifferent once he discovered the issue.
In 2024, the Karen Border Guard issued a notice requiring all foreigners engaged in illegal activities to leave the country within a specified period. Moreover, he revealed that most foreigners in Myawaddy currently enter from Thailand, including both legal and illegal entrants. He expressed dissatisfaction with the external blame placed entirely on him, stating that no matter what actions he takes, they are perceived as "showing off."
Since mid-February 2025, the Karen Border Guard has been independently combating telecom fraud activities, with over 7000 foreign nationals awaiting deportation, but Myanmar is no longer able to bear the management costs.
He disclosed that the daily accommodation, food, and medical expenses of these individuals amount to 1.6 million Thai Baht, stretching the Myanmar budget thin. He also warned that due to overcrowded detention facilities, some detainees' physical and mental conditions have deteriorated, leading to resistance against military control. He expressed concern that violent conflicts or shootings could have unimaginable consequences and urged relevant countries to repatriate their citizens promptly.
