All petrol stations in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province have been ordered not to fill jerry cans or other containers with fuel, as Thailand tightens restrictions on the supplies of petrol, electricity and internet to five locations in Myanmar’s Tachileik and Myawaddy townships, as part of the Thai government’s measures to disrupt, if not shut down the operations of the Chinese-run scam call centres.
The urgent order was issued yesterday by Chiang Rai Deputy Governor Norasak Suksomboon. He maintains that gas stations are required only to refuel vehicles, in accordance with the Fuel Control Act.
He disclosed that a number of Burmese motorists, who came to Mae Sai district to refuel of their vehicles, were found to be bringing various containers with to be filled with petrol as well.
Upon her return from a visit to China yesterday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismissed calls by Burmese protesters in Myawaddy for the resumption of utility supplies, saying that the cuts are necessary and that the Myanmar government should take care of its own people.
She also said that she will visit Cambodia soon, to address the problem of scam call centres in then border town of Poipet, opposite Aranyaprathet district of Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province.
