Thai authorities are poised to finalize a decision on Monday regarding the arrest of Saw Chit Thu, a prominent leader of the Karen National Army (KNA), amidst growing scrutiny of his alleged involvement in illegal enterprises linked to human trafficking and other transnational crimes.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), tasked with tackling serious crime in Thailand, has been coordinating with the Department of Trafficking in Persons Litigation at the Office of the Attorney-General to evaluate the evidence against Saw Chit Thu.

A meeting is scheduled for Monday to determine whether to lodge an official request for an arrest warrant.

On February 13, 2025, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, along with DSI investigators, briefed officials at the National Security Council (NSC) regarding the DSI’s findings on Saw Chit Thu and the KNA's alleged nexus with various illegal activities.

Prosecutors participated in the briefing, underscoring the involvement of multiple governmental agencies in addressing these serious accusations.

Saw Chit Thu has gained notoriety for purportedly operating a center for scam-related activities in Shwe Kokko, Myawaddy, which has become known as a hub for such illicit operations.

Reports indicate that he has ties with Yatai International, a company linked to Chinese gambling businessman She Zhijiang, who has been held in detention in Thailand following an extradition request from China.

She Zhijiang was initially arrested in Bangkok in 2022 based on international warrants related to organized crime.

He remains detained in Thailand while appealing an extradition order.

Allegations of abuse in detention have been made by She Zhijiang, which Thai authorities have denied.

In a separate development on February 13, the DSI announced intentions to seek arrest warrants not only for Saw Chit Thu but also for two other leaders of the KNA—Lt Col Mote Thone and Maj Tin Win—under allegations of human trafficking.

These leaders are accused of facilitating the trafficking of Indian nationals coerced into participating in fraudulent activities, particularly call-center scams.

Saw Chit Thu, however, refuted these claims, stating in an interview with the BBC Burmese that his organization has worked diligently to combat human trafficking, asserting that it has aided in the rescue and return of many victims.

Evidence presented by the rights group Justice for Myanmar has implicated the KNA’s involvement in illegal online scams and unregulated gambling activities in collaboration with Chinese operatives.

Sanctions against Saw Chit Thu were imposed by the UK and the EU in December 2023 and January 2024, respectively, due to formal allegations of human trafficking and violations of human rights.

In conjunction with these developments, the Thai Immigration Bureau has recently announced disciplinary actions, transferring the Tak immigration police chief to an inactive position, amid investigations regarding the recruitment of individuals into scam operations within Myanmar.

This decision followed the reassignment of five other senior officers in Tak province, as scrutiny of border management intensifies.

The situation highlights ongoing efforts by Thai officials to confront illegal activities associated with cross-border crime and respond to growing international concerns regarding transnational human trafficking and organized crime networks operating within the region.