Recently, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a travel safety warning. According to The Singapore News, Surachacha, the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, responded on October 20 that the Thai government attaches great importance to the safety of tourists. He also clarified that “ordinary tourists are not forced into vehicles or taken to the border in Thailand.” It seems that those involved were deceived before leaving the country.
According to reports, Surachai spoke with media before attending a cabinet meeting on that day. He said that Thailand understands the concerns of the Chinese embassy regarding the safety of Chinese citizens, and emphasized that Thailand will never allow itself to become a transit point for transnational crimes.
He pointed out that ordinary tourists who visit Thailand cannot be forcefully tied up with their hands and legs on the streets and sent to the border. “If tourists are genuinely traveling to Thailand without intending to go to other countries, such incidents are unlikely to happen.”
Sulaisha explained that many of the individuals involved often establish connections with criminal groups in their home countries, and are lured out of their country by high salaries or false promises. He also said that this kind of security issue seems to “only occur with Chinese tourists.” Tourists from other countries have not encountered similar situations, which confirms that these individuals were targeted and lured.
He emphasized that Thai police, tourism police, and immigration authorities will implement stricter security measures, and maintain close communication and information sharing with Chinese authorities.
On October 16, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a statement indicating that recently, there have been several cases in Thailand where Chinese citizens have disappeared after entering the country, been illegally detained, and tricked into being transferred to the Thai-Myanmar border. Some criminals use false pretexts such as high salaries, business trips, investment partnerships, or project invitations to trick Chinese citizens into traveling to Thailand and engage in illegal activities, posing a serious threat to the personal and property safety of Chinese citizens. Recently, there have also been several scams involving attempts to lure people engaged in live streaming or entertainment industries into participating in filming activities. The Chinese Embassy in Thailand advises Chinese citizens traveling to Thailand to enhance their awareness of safety precautions, be wary of being deceived, and effectively protect their own safety.
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand once again reminds Chinese citizens that it is essential to fully understand the safety situation and relevant laws and regulations in the destination before leaving the country. They should carefully assess various risks and not easily believe in the temptation of high salaries and high returns. Citizens should also refrain from participating in activities with unclear origins or circumstances. It is crucial to enhance awareness of risk prevention and self-protection capabilities. In case of emergencies, citizens are advised to seek help from the Thai police immediately and contact the Chinese embassies and consulates in Thailand.
