Residents of Three Pagodas Pass, located in Karen State’s Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township on the Thailand-Myanmar border, report that Thai authorities have begun cutting off internet services in the area as of the morning of February 21.
The move follows previous restrictions imposed by Thailand, which included cutting electricity and fuel supplies to Three Pagodas Pass due to suspicions of widespread online scam operations in the region.
According to local sources, the widely used “AIS (12Call)” mobile internet service was the first to be disconnected on February 21. Other Thai mobile networks, “Truemove” and “Dtac”, are expected to be cut off by February 26.
“AIS was blocked today around 10 a.m. They already announced that the remaining networks will be shut down by the 26th. It’s becoming a real struggle. Myanmar SIM cards are unreliable, and with no electricity, we can’t even set up WiFi. Solar panels are an option, but prices have skyrocketed due to restrictions and crackdowns,” said a resident of Three Pagodas Pass.
The internet shutdown is expected to severely impact local businesses, particularly **online shops and logistics services** that rely on digital connectivity.
“Our entire business depends on mobile internet, so this shutdown is a huge disruption. Myanmar internet services aren’t stable, and VPNs are being restricted too. If we lose the internet for almost 30 days a month, how can we continue working?” an online shop owner in the area expressed frustration.
In an effort to combat online scam operations, the Thai government began cutting electricity and fuel supplies to five border locations, including Three Pagodas Pass, on February 5. The latest internet shutdown is seen as an extension of these measures.
