Thailand cut cross-border electricity supplies to five locations in Myanmar on Wednesday, in an effort to stamp out online scam centres blamed for scaring away Chinese tourists. Fears among Chinese tourists of being kidnapped and forced to work in scam centres was blamed for a sharp drop in visitor numbers over the Lunar New Year holiday last week.

BANGKOK — Thailand cut cross-border electricity supplies to several areas in Myanmar on Wednesday, in an effort to stamp out online scam centers blamed for scaring away Chinese tourists. Scam compounds have mushroomed in Myanmar's lawless borderlands,

Thailand has cut electricity, internet and fuel supplies to five border areas in Myanmar, a senior Thai minister said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation steps up efforts to choke scam centres that have become a growing security concern.