Kuala Lampur, Feb. 9 -- Thailand's general election on February 8 - delivering 193 seats to Prime Minister Anutin's party, followed by the People's Party (118), Pheu Thai (74), Kla Tham (58), the Democrats (22), Thai Ruam Ralang (6), Palang Pracharath (5), Prachachart (5), and the Economic Party (3) - should not be reduced to a simplistic referendum on Cambodia, border tensions, or constitutional politics alone.

While all of the above featured prominently in campaign rhetoric - particularly amid sensitivities over borders, migrant labour, and historical grievances - the deeper and more consequential undercurrent was Thailand's growing anxiety over scams, cybercrime, and transnational criminal syndicates that have turned parts of mainland...