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.

Thailand has cut electricity, internet and fuel supplies to five border areas in Myanmar, in an attempt to choke scam centres, which have put a damper on arrivals of foreign tourists, particularly those from neighbouring China.

BANGKOK -- The Thai government on Tuesday ordered the Provincial Electricity Authority to cut supply to Shwe Kokko, a Myanmar town where Thai and Chinese authorities say thousands of people, including their nationals, have been trafficked and forced to run online scams targeting victims around the world.