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.

Residents in Myanmar’s Myawaddy township, on the border with Thailand, are suffering severe impacts from the Thai government’s decision to cut electricity, internet and fuel supplies to the township on Feb 5.

Thailand on Wednesday cut off power supplies to areas in Myanmar where scam networks operate, following a public outcry demanding government action to tackle the problem.

Myanmar nationals living near the border with Tak province have gathered to protest against the Thai government’s decision to sever electricity and fuel supplies to their communities.

Thailand will suspend electricity supply to some border areas with Myanmar in an effort to curb scam centres, its government said on Tuesday, amid growing pressure on the illegal compounds that have ensnared vast numbers of people of multiple nationalities.

STORY: Thailand cut power supply, fuel and internet to some border areas with Myanmar on Wednesday.It's an attempt to choke scam syndicates operating out of there that have become a growing security concern.

Thailand cut electricity supplies on Wednesday to several areas in neighboring Myanmar that are home to sites at the center of a global, billion-dollar online scam industry.

Thai authorities cut off electricity Wednesday at five points on the border with Myanmar in an attempt to combat cyber scam centers that operate from the other side of the border and have created a regional security problem with thousands of victims in recent years.