The United States extends its congratulations to Anutin Charnvirakul on his selection as the next Prime Minister of Thailand. We look forward to working with Prime Minister Anutin and his government to strengthen our deep partnership based on common interests. I am confident that together, our efforts will continue to advance peace, economic prosperity, and freedom throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Criminal actors across Southeast Asia have increasingly exploited the vulnerabilities of Americans online.  In 2024, Americans lost at least $10 billion to scam operations in Southeast Asia, according to a U.S. government estimate.

In response, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today imposed sanctions on nine targets involved in operations in Shwe Kokko, a scam center hub in Burma operating under the protection of the already sanctioned criminal organization Karen National Army (KNA).  The KNA is a transnational criminal organization that facilitates online scam operations that target Americans and exploit workers in forced labor.

Additionally, OFAC sanctioned four individuals and six entities for their roles operating forced labor compounds in Cambodia, where workers are forced to carry out virtual currency investment scams against victims in the United States, Europe, China, and elsewhere.

These sanctions protect Americans from the pervasive threat of online scam operations by disrupting the ability of criminal networks to perpetuate industrial-scale fraud, forced labor, physical and sexual abuse, and theft of Americans’ hard-earned savings.

The Department of the Treasury’s sanctions designations were taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13581, as amended by E.O. 13863, E.O. 14014, E.O. 13818, and E.O. 13694, as amended. For more information, see Treasury’s Press Release.

PRESS STATEMENT

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE

The United States applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced today in Kuala Lumpur.  President Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict.  We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks.  We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments.  The United States will remain committed to and engaged in this U.S.-Malaysia-organized process to end this conflict.

PRESS STATEMENT

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE

Cambodia and Thailand are scheduled to begin high level talks in Malaysia shortly in hopes of achieving an immediate ceasefire. State Department officials are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts. Both President Trump and I remain engaged with our respective counterparts for each country and are monitoring the situation very closely. We want this conflict to end as soon as possible.

Press Statement

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

On behalf of the United States of America, I wish the people of the Kingdom of Thailand a year of good fortune and renewal during this time of Songkran.

The United States and the American people are grateful for the long, close relationship we have with Thailand.  As friends and allies, we look forward to finding new ways to work together to improve the lives and futures of both Thais and Americans.

To the people of the Kingdom of Thailand and to the Thai-American community in the United States, Happy Songkran and a Happy New Year!

Press Statement

Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson

The United States is alarmed by the arrest of U.S. citizen Paul Chambers in Thailand on lèse majesté charges and the Computer Crimes Act, and we are closely monitoring the situation. The U.S. Department of State takes its responsibility to assist U.S. citizens abroad seriously, and we are in communication with Thai authorities regarding this case.

This case reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lèse majesté laws in Thailand. We continue to urge Thai authorities to respect freedom of expression and to ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression. As a treaty ally of Thailand, we will closely monitor this issue and advocate for the fair treatment of Paul Chambers.

Consular officers from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok are providing all appropriate consular assistance to Mr. Chambers. We have requested access to him to ensure his well-being and to provide any necessary support.