The Environmental Committee has called upon the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to provide explanations regarding mobile phone operators installation of towers in forested areas. This move comes amid concerns that such installations may be aiding scam operations. The committee has warned of stringent measures, including potential asset seizure and prosecution for money laundering, if necessary, to ensure compliance.
According to Thai News Agency, a recent operation targeting telephone signal towers along the Myanmar-Cambodia border revealed that these structures were facilitating scam activities. The investigation found unauthorized installations in forest areas, prompting calls for rigorous legal actions. The NBTC and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have been tasked with the inspection and removal of any illegal towers.
Mr. Chivaphop Chivatham, chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue of unauthorized telephone towers at a committee meeting. He highlighted that the installations have been identified in forest areas, aligning with government policy priorities spearheaded by the Prime Minister. The committee has pinpointed two critical areas of concern: the unauthorized telephone signals and associated mule accounts, although the latter falls outside the committees direct mandate.
Mr. Chiwaphap stressed that halting the illegal installation of cell towers could significantly reduce scam activities. He criticized previous measures against service providers as inadequate, advocating for full enforcement of the law. He suggested that extending prosecutions to include asset seizure and money laundering charges would deter future violations, as illegally installed towers are viewed as instruments of money laundering.
The Natural Resources Committee chairman noted the necessity of obtaining proper permits for installing towers in forest and protected areas. He cited the regions along the Cambodian border, including Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, and Trat, as well as areas bordering Myanmar, such as Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Tak, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, as key locations for inspection. Legal actions should extend beyond mere removal of poles to include comprehensive enforcement in forestry and national park jurisdictions.
Mr. Chiwaphap concluded that the committee has requested the NBTC to provide the geographic coordinates of all signal towers along the Myanmar and Cambodia borders. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has also been asked to clarify the number of legally permitted towers. Any unauthorized towers benefiting scammers will face dismantlement and legal proceedings, which could culminate in asset seizure. The NBTC is reminded of its obligation to ensure all tower installations comply with existing laws.