Thailand has joined forces with 15 nations to enhance cross-border efforts aimed at combating call-centre scams, which have drawn global attention after the high-profile rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing from a scam compound in Myanmar’s Myawaddy.
The meeting, held on 31 January 2025 and chaired by National Police Inspector-General Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation amid mounting concerns over trafficking and its impact on Thailand’s tourism sector.
The meeting, hosted at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters in Bangkok, was attended by representatives from 15 countries, including China, Russia, Brazil, Tanzania, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Thai agencies involved included the Central Investigation Bureau, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau.
During the meeting, embassies and Thai authorities discussed measures to curb the illegal recruitment of foreign nationals, often lured with false promises of high-paying jobs and subsequently trapped in scam operations. Mae Sot, a major transit hub located near the border with Myanmar, remains a focal point of these illicit movements.
High-profile rescue brings renewed pressure
The meeting comes against the backdrop of a recent incident involving 31-year-old Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was rescued by Thai police after being trafficked into Myawaddy. Wang had travelled to Bangkok for what he believed was a film casting opportunity, only to be abducted and taken across the border to a scam centre. His ordeal, which lasted three days, drew significant media attention after his rescue on 7 January 2025.
Wang’s case has sparked a surge of concern in China, with families of missing individuals urging the government to intensify rescue efforts. A joint petition from families of 1,200 victims who remain trapped in scam centres has been circulating on Chinese social media, demanding coordinated action from China, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Wang’s return to China temporarily reassured some, but Chinese citizens have continued expressing fears online about travelling to Thailand, a major blow to the country’s efforts to recover its pandemic-hit tourism sector. According to reports, flight cancellations from China to Thailand surged 150% after news of Wang’s abduction.
Stricter border control measures planned
Thai authorities are now planning stricter border control measures, particularly in Mae Sot. Pol Gen Thatchai revealed that foreign nationals entering Mae Sot without a clear travel itinerary will be subject to questioning. Border officials will contact the relevant embassies, ensuring real-time communication with their citizens to prevent further exploitation.
“Individuals crossing the border voluntarily may lack a clear itinerary, making them vulnerable to deception,” Thatchai said. He stressed that enhanced coordination would help distinguish between legitimate travellers and those at risk of falling victim to criminal schemes.
The measures will be similar to those applied at airports, where travellers are required to provide detailed travel plans. Embassy representatives at the meeting expressed strong support for these efforts, acknowledging that more efficient coordination could help prevent trafficking and expedite rescue operations for those already trapped.
While call-centre scam activity in areas north of Mae Sot has reportedly declined, authorities suspect that criminal networks are relocating to regions along the border near Kanchanaburi province. Thatchai confirmed that prevention efforts will extend to other high-risk areas, including Surin and Chiang Rai.
Impact on tourism and Thailand’s response
The timing of the incident poses a significant challenge for Thailand’s tourism sector, particularly as Chinese tourists represent the country’s largest and most critical market. For nearly a decade before the pandemic, China consistently contributed the highest number of foreign visitors to Thailand. However, flight cancellations and growing safety concerns on Chinese social media are threatening this recovery.
A Guangdong-based tour operator noted that bookings for the Lunar New Year holiday were at just 40% of last year’s levels. High-profile cancellations, such as Hong Kong pop star Eason Chan’s concert in Bangkok, further highlight the negative impact on Thailand’s image as a safe destination.
Thai authorities have been working to reassure potential visitors. Following Wang’s rescue, Thai police stood by him during a media appearance where he publicly stated that Thailand was safe. Nonetheless, the president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, acknowledged that cancellations would likely continue in the short term, particularly among Chinese tour groups.
