June 20, 2024

In a significant operation, Thai police seized nearly 60 Starlink satellites destined for Myanmar on June 19, 2024, in Tak province. The equipment was reportedly intended for areas in Myanmar where internet and phone lines have been cut, particularly in conflict zones and regions controlled by ethnic armed groups.

The satellites were addressed to locations in Mae Sot and Mae Ramat districts within Tak province, with authorities suspecting that the devices were intended for online scam gangs operating along the Thai-Myanmar border. The authorities believe these devices might have been smuggled from the Cambodian border into Thailand and then intended to be moved illegally into Myanmar.

According to local reports, the equipment was not declared under the customs law, leading to its seizure by the Thai Customs Police. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand has stipulated that Starlink satellites and related equipment cannot be legally imported into Thailand, further complicating the legality of the shipment.

The operation highlights ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to crack down on illegal cross-border activities and the use of advanced communication technologies in illicit operations. The seizure of the satellites also underscores the strategic importance of communication infrastructure in conflict and remote areas of Myanmar, where traditional internet access is often disrupted.

Further investigations are expected as authorities work to uncover the network responsible for attempting to smuggle these satellites into Myanmar.