The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand is seeking arrest warrants for Col Saw Chit Thu, the leader of the Myanmar junta-allied Karen Border Guard Force, along with Lt Col Mote Thone and Maj Tin Win, on charges of transnational human trafficking.

According to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and a DSI source, the suspects are implicated in crimes connected to the Shwe Kokko project, a transnational organized crime hub located in Shwe Kokko town near Myawaddy in Karen State, Myanmar.

Thai authorities plan to work with Myanmar, ASEAN, and China to coordinate the apprehension of these high-ranking officers, with Minister Tawee noting that the arrests are feasible if regional leaders support the initiative.

The DSI has reportedly gathered solid evidence, including detailed money trails, to support the warrant applications.

The Thai government is also collaborating with the US embassy, as several US citizens have been affected by gangs operating in Myanmar.

In addition to these three suspects, further arrests are expected, including two Thai nationals employed by a company that runs a resort in both Thailand and Myawaddy.

DSI spokesman Pol Maj Worranan Srilum stated that the request for fresh warrants is still under preparation following a meeting with prosecutors at the Department of the Trafficking in Persons Litigation.

He also highlighted a related human trafficking case involving the rescue of seven Indian nationals from a call centre scam den in a casino called Heng Sheng in Myawaddy, located near Mae Sot in Tak province.