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.

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.

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.