Eastward: expansion of circuit traffic centres on the Cambodia-Vietnam border. Part 1.

The Cambodian government faces increasing pressure to take action against the massive operation of online schemes operating from its territory. Although Cambodian authorities have publicly reported the results of a recent partial campaign to suppress such schemes, large new circuit traffic centers continue to emerge along the border with Vietnam.

Pressure on Cambodia's government to combat the circuit traffic industry is increasing more than ever. Cambodian authorities are trying to cope with the consequences as international partners express growing dissatisfaction with the impact of these operations on their citizens and the growing damage to the country's reputation.

China, which has become one of the countries most affected by such schemes, has been demanding decisive action from Cambodia for several years Beijing is pursuing this mainly through diplomatic means, through joint law enforcement initiatives and repatriation programs for Chinese criminals hiding in Cambodia. Sometimes these efforts are successful, but often unsuccessful.

Thailand has also stepped up pressure on Cambodia this year. Amid rising territorial tensions and armed clashes, Bangkok's claims are becoming increasingly blunt.Thai police issued search warrants in July for Thai targets belonging to Cambodian senator Kok An and his family. Arrest warrants were later issued for the senator himself and his three children. Thailand's investigation is focused on its Poipet-owned facilities, including the Crown Resorts Poipet and CC Tower circuit traffic centers. Kok An is linked to several circuit traffic centers across Cambodia.

Thailand also took action against another powerful senator - Lee Yong Phat, a longtime ally of former Prime Minister Hun Sen. He had his Thai citizenship revoked and antitrust and financial authorities seized 650 million baht (about US$20 million) of assets in October. Lee Yong Phat is linked to circuit traffic centers in Koh Kong and Oddar Meanch, which previously led to sanctions from the US Treasury Department in 2024.

South Korea also became more active after a 22-year-old Korean student was found dead in Kampot after being tortured to death at a circuit traffic center. The case sparked public outrage and criticism of the South Korean government for not protecting its citizens abroad.

The biggest news was sanctions imposed in October by the United States and the United Kingdom against the Prince Group, which the US called a «transnational criminal organization» In total, the sanctions affected about 150 related individuals and companies, their assets were frozen in the UK. Prince Group leader Chen Zhi was also indicted by a US court and $15 billion worth of bitcoins were seized during the investigation.