BANGKOK — Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has vowed to bolster security for tourists in a bid to restore the confidence of Chinese visitors, following concerns about their safety triggered by the alleged kidnapping of a Chinese actor. The incident, which occurred on the Thai-Myanmar border earlier this month, raised alarm among both the public and Chinese nationals, potentially affecting Thailand’s crucial tourism sector.
Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, relies heavily on tourism, with China being the country’s largest single source of foreign visitors. In 2024, more than 6.7 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand, making up nearly one-fifth of the total 35.5 million international arrivals.
“I don’t want tourism to be affected,” Paetongtarn stated on Friday, January 17. “Tourism is the country’s main source of income.” She confirmed that security agencies had been instructed to heighten measures to ensure the safety of all tourists, particularly those from China.
The prime minister also announced that she would record a message in Chinese to directly reassure tourists that their safety was a top priority for the government. This move comes ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays, which are expected to bring a surge of visitors to Thailand.
The concerns surrounding the safety of Chinese tourists were sparked after 22-year-old actor Wang Xing went missing along the Thai-Myanmar border. Authorities later suggested that Wang may have fallen victim to human trafficking by criminal groups operating in the area. Fortunately, Wang has since been found and returned to China, but his case was widely discussed on Chinese social media, further amplifying fears about travel safety.
Despite the heightened concerns and some cancellations, Paetongtarn emphasized that the overall number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand had not seen a significant drop. Nevertheless, the government remains keenly aware of the importance of reassuring this vital market.
As Chinese New Year approaches, the Thai government is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that any lingering concerns over safety do not dampen what is typically a busy period for the country’s tourism sector.