Chinese actor Wang Xing (right) speaks with Thai police officers in Mae Sot district, Thailand on Tuesday after being rescued from a scam compound in Myanmar. -- Photo: The Royal Thai Police via AP
BANGKOK/BEIJING: A Chinese actor who went missing near the Thailand-Myanmar border has confirmed he was a victim of human trafficking and fraud syndicates following his rescue from a scam compound.
Thai authorities arranged for actor Wang Xing to meet his girlfriend in Bangkok on Wednesday morning, according to a social media post by the girlfriend, who identified herself only using the surname Kang.
Thai police earlier confirmed that Wang was tricked into entering Myanmar by fraud groups and lost contact with friends and family near the border between the two South-East Asian countries.
Thai police said he was rescued on Tuesday, which was confirmed by the Chinese embassy on the same day.
In video clips released by The Beijing News on Wednesday, Wang told Thai police that he was sent to a scam centre by armed people. He said there were at least 50 people trapped at the compound.
“It was only when the armed people pushed me into the car that I realised that I might not be in Thailand, but another country,” he said. “There were about 50 people in the building that I was in. There were more in another building, and people came from different countries.”
Wang said he was forced to practise typing for two to three days under high pressure, according to The Beijing News.
“I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. And I didn’t even have the time to pee,” he said in the clip, describing his experience at the compound.
Upon arrival, he was forcibly shaved and subsequently confined in a building with 50 other Chinese individuals.
According to local reports, Wang arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Jan 3, believing he was in Thailand for a production.
He was greeted by a chauffeur, arranged by the so-called production team, who later drove him to Mae Sot, a district in northwest Thailand that borders Myawaddy – a city in Myanmar known for being a hub of scam operations.
Wang told Thai police that he was taken across the border into Myanmar by boat.
“I knew I was being tricked when I was taken across the border, but I didn’t dare resist,” the 22-year-old said.
Wang expressed his belief that he was being prepared for work in a fraudulent call centre, where he was coerced into practising typing. He stated, “I was tricked into coming to Thailand for acting, but things really took a dark turn once I arrived.”
Now safe, Wang has pledged to cooperate fully with Thai authorities in their ongoing investigation.
During media interviews, he conveyed his gratitude for the support he received, stating, “I am grateful to be safe and able to return to my country. Thailand is very safe, and I would love to come back.”
Wang, however, dismissed rumours suggesting he was physically harmed, clarifying that the red patches seen on his left leg in a viral photo were merely a birthmark.
The 'Under The Skin 2' star has agreed to cooperate with Thai authorities amid the ongoing investigation and reiterated that this experience won't alter his positive view of Thailand.
“Thank you to the Thai government and Prime Minister for helping me to return to Thailand so that I have the chance to return home to my country. I really appreciate it."
Criminal activity has flourished in border areas of military-ruled Myanmar, where fighting has pitted armed ethnic groups against the army for decades.
Chinese authorities have said they had cracked down on criminal syndicates in joint operations with neighbouring countries that led to thousands of people being returned to China, but those campaigns did not include arrests of ring leaders in Myanmar.
Chinese investors operate casino complexes in what amounts to autonomous development zones in cooperation with Myanmar's Border Guard Force, a militia belonging to the ethnic Karen minority.
Thai officials and media have expressed concern about the possible impact on the country's tourism 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, as 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 news 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.
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 South-East 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 South-East 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. - Agencies
