Royal Thai Police officers escort rescued Chinese actor Wang Xing (centre) at the police airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday. -- Photo: EPA-EFE/Royal Thai Police via South China Morning Post
BANGKOK/BEIJING: A Chinese actor who went missing near Myanmar’s border with Thailand and fell victim to a human trafficking network has boarded a flight home.
Wang Xing, also known by his stage name Xing Xing, departed from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Friday night, a week after his ordeal began, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Wang entered the Thai capital early on January 3, and lost contact with his friends and family at around 11am on the same day in the Mae Sot area in northwestern Thailand, according to a message posted by his girlfriend on Chinese social media late Sunday evening.
Mae Sot borders Myanmar’s Myawaddy, a city notorious as a fraud hub.
Before arriving in Thailand, Wang was invited to act in a film in Thailand by someone who posed as the associate director of the production, according to Wang’s girlfriend, identified only by her surname Kang.
He was led through Thai immigration by someone claiming to be a production crew member, and driven to Mae Sot, about 500km (310 miles) from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the post said.
In a report from Xinhua, the Chinese embassy expressed its gratitude to the Thai government for prioritizing Wang's case which was caused by cyber-fraud, and for promptly launching a rescue operation that ensured his safe return.
The Chinese embassy and consulates in Thailand will continue to work closely with the Thai government and other relevant departments to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens visiting Thailand, said the Chinese embassy.
Wang Xing entered Thailand on Jan 3 but lost contact near the Thailand-Myanmar border. The Thai police tracked his movements and successfully rescued him on Tuesday, identifying him as a victim of human trafficking.
Meanwhile, Wang Xing stated on his Weibo account that he has returned to the embrace of his motherland, which makes him feel warm, secure, and free. While in a foreign country, it was the strength of his motherland that gave him courage and hope.
He also expressed deep gratitude toward the Chinese government, the Chinese embassies in Thailand and Myanmar, the Chinese and Thai police, and various other law enforcement agencies. Wang had previously gone missing at the Thailand-Myanmar border and returned to Shanghai by plane on Friday evening.
"I want to say that I am just an ordinary person who can feel fear and anxiety... But just when I was about to give up completely, it was all of you who gave me hope, inspired me to believe a little more and hold on a little longer, and helped me return to my beloved country and the people who love me," Wang said, noting "I sincerely thank you!"
Wang also thanked his girlfriend, emphasising that "love can fight everything."
Previously, a post on Sina Weibo on Sunday night said that Wang Xing, also known by his stage name Xing Xing, went missing at the Myanmar-Thailand border. This post sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media platforms. It was released by a netizen named Jia Jia, who identified herself as Wang Xing's girlfriend.
Thailand's Senior Inspector General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot stated on Thursday that the preliminary investigation confirmed that Chinese actor Wang Xing is a victim of human trafficking.
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand on Saturday reminded Chinese citizens visiting Thailand to stay vigilant against "high-paying job" scams and not to trust false promises such as "high-paying jobs," "free tickets, food, and accommodation" to prevent falling victim to scams.
Chinese citizens in Thailand who experience harm to their personal safety or legal rights should promptly report it to the police. They may also ask friends or family in Thailand or others to report to the police on their behalf and contact the Chinese Embassy or consulates for assistance.
According to the China-Thailand mutual visa exemption agreement signed previously, activities such as working or studying in the host country that require prior approval must have the corresponding visa processed before entry.
If entering under the visa exemption policy, please refrain from engaging in illegal employment or other activities that do not comply with the exemption regulations, the embassy said. - Agencies
