BANGKOK – Chinese actor Wang Xing, also known as Xingxing, who had gone missing near Thailand’s border with Myanmar, has been found, Thai authorities confirmed. The actor was located by Myanmar authorities on January 6 and was handed over to Thai authorities on January 7. Wang had been reported missing on January 4 after arriving in Mae Sot, a Thai town near the border, under the impression that he was participating in a television shoot.
The disappearance sparked widespread discussions on Chinese social media platforms, with some speculating that Wang had been kidnapped to work in a scam centre in Myanmar. His girlfriend claimed that Wang had boarded a vehicle in Bangkok before losing contact in Mae Sot.
Thai police are investigating the possibility that Wang was a victim of human trafficking. Early investigations indicate that he traveled voluntarily to the Thai-Myanmar border. Police General Tatchai Pitaneelaboot stated that there was no involvement of Thai nationals, and that Wang was likely scammed by Chinese nationals.
The incident has raised concerns among Thai authorities about the impact on the country’s tourism industry, particularly with Chinese tourists, who make up the largest group of visitors to Thailand. Although Chinese tourist arrivals have not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, other markets have exceeded 2019 numbers.
Thailand’s Tourism Minister Sorawong said that the government would work to rebuild confidence among tourists and has sought the help of the Chinese ambassador to reassure the public that Thailand is safe for Chinese tourists. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also assured that the issue would be handled carefully to minimize any negative effects on tourism.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. These operations, often involving Chinese fugitives who fled China after a 2020 crackdown, have been linked to human trafficking. Myanmar, which has been engulfed in civil war since a 2021 coup, has become a hotspot for such activities. Recently, China reported the repatriation of over 41,000 suspects involved in telecommunication scams, as Beijing continues to combat this illegal industry.
Wang’s case is under investigation to determine whether he was lured to Thailand for work or deceived from the start.