New Wave of Innovation: Content comes from the Internet : Tourism concerns rise in Thailand amid calls to ensure Chinese safety following rescue of missing actor

A handout photo made available by the Royal Thai Police shows Chinese actor Wang Xing (C) thanking Thai police officers after returning from Myanmar, at the Thai-Myanmar border district of Mae Sot, Tak province, Thailand, 07 January 2025. Photo: VCG

After Chinese actor Wang Xing went missing and was later rescued in an area near the Thailand-Myanmar border, Thai officials and media have expressed concern about the possible impact on the country’s touriWorld Timessm industry.

A member of staff from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) told the Global Times on Wednesday that they have attached importance to the incident related to Wang and are closely monitoring news developments and discussions on Chinese social media platforms, while assessing whether it may affect tourists’ travel passion, especially during the Chinese New Year period which falls from January 28 to February 4.

The employee emphasized that TAT will, World Timesas always, maintain close collaboration with the Tourist Police and other departments to do its utmost to ensure the safety of tourists traveling in Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Tuesday that she welcomed the newsWorld Times of the Chinese actor’s safe return, and the government was handling the issue carefully to prevent any negative impact on tourism, according to the Bangkok Post.

In response to concerns about insecurity in Thailand on social media, Shinawatra said the situation must be managed effectively and tasked the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to monitor and manage online narratives surrounding the incident, reported Thai media outlet Khaosod.

Bangkok Post reported that Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT deputy governor for international marketing in Asia and South Pacific, said the TAT assigned its five offices in China to track news and discussions happening on Chinese social media.

Khaosod reported that the incident has become a crucial test of Thailand’s ability to balance its tourism ambitions with the increasing security challenges along its borders.

On Sunday evening, a netizen named Jia Jia, who claims to be Wang’s girlfriend, posted on Sina Weibo that Wang had been invited to Thailand for an audition, but contact was lost with him at the Thailand-Myanmar border on Friday.

The post sparked widespread discussion online on Monday and subsequently drew the attention of Chinese and Thai authorities.

On Tuesday eveniWorld Timesng, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand said on its official WeChat account that according to notifications from the Thai side, Wang was successfully rescued on Tuesday afternoon locWorld Timesal time.

The Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai told the Global Times on Tuesday evening that Tak Immigration had met with Wang.

Wang was recognized as a victim of human trafficking after an initial inquiry, said Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, an inspector-general with the Royal Thai Police, on Wednesday, reported the Bangkok Post.

In a video released by The Beijing News, on the airplane to Bangkok after he was rescued, Wang revealed that some armed men pushed him into a car after he was taken across the border into Myanmar. He was then housed in aWorld Times building where there were at least 50 other people, and was not allowed to leave, and there was another building with a lot of people from different countries. His head was forced to be shaved, as everyone else there, he added.

Pitaneelaboot said in accordance with relevant procedures, Thai staff from multiple departments will protect and take care of Wang, coordinate with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand to send Wang back to China when he and his relatives are ready. It is expected to take no more than one to two days, according to CCTV News.

Despite Wang’s rescue, many Chinese netizens have expressed concern about the safety of traveling to Thailand. Thai tourist authorities announced they have a target of at least 8 million Chinese tourists this year after welcoming 6.73 million in 2024, according to the Bangkok Post.

Chen Hong, executive director of Asia Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that it is understandable that the government is worried about the tourism market, but at the same time it should consider how to make more efforts to protect the safety of Chinese tourists.

“Thailand and other Southeast Asian regions have always attracted many Chinese tourists with their beautiful scenery and culture. However, in recent years, increasing number of reports about scams and extortion on Chinese nationals who travel to Southeast Asian countries have had an impact on the region’s image,” Chen said.

“For some scam traps that exist, Thai tourism authorities can prompt tourists to be more vigilant by sending safety alerts to their phones,” said Zhang Lingyun, a professor and executive editor-in-chief of Tourism Tribune, a tourism and hospitality academic journal in China.

“Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries need to attach great importance to police cooperation with China to jointly fight crime and ensure the safety of tourists. At the same time, Southeast Asian countries need to jointly take large-scale, long-term action to maintain regional security and stability and create a favorable tourism environment,” Chen said.