Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was reported missing last week in the vicinity of the Thai-Myanmar border, has been safely located and returned to Thailand. Thai authorities indicated on Tuesday that he may have fallen victim to human trafficking.
Mr. Wang, 31, has been reported missing in Tak province of Northern Thailand, an area that borders Myanmar and is notorious for its involvement in large-scale criminal activities and human trafficking orchestrated by organised gangs.
Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, an inspector-general with the Royal Thai Police, stated to Thai Media, “From our initial inquiry, we believe he was a victim of human trafficking.”
Wang Xing arrived in Thailand under the impression that he would be participating in a film casting. However, authorities revealed that he was instead transported across the border and subjected to training aimed at scamming fellow Chinese nationals, according to Pol Gen Thatchai.
According to Mr. Wang, a Chinese compatriot allegedly enticed him through the WeChat application, claiming to represent a prominent Thai entertainment company and offering him employment opportunities.
Karen Military Involvement
A Chinese suspect is said to have arranged for a vehicle to collect Mr. Wang from Suvarnabhumi airport on January 3, transporting him to the border town of Mae Sot in Tak. A second individual facilitated his entry into Myanmar by navigating a boat across the Moei River, successfully evading immigration checkpoints.
Immigration police report that Wang Xing arrived in Thailand for an audition. A flight from Shanghai landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan at 3:16 AM on Friday.
At 3:40 AM, the individual departed from the airport in a silver Toyota Altis, which is registered in Bangkok under TKY Leasing Co. At 10:09 AM on Friday, the vehicle arrived at the Mae Sot-Tak Road located in the Mae Sot district of Tak.
In a recent development at a Makro store located in Mae Sot, an actor was seen being transferred to a silver Toyota Hilux Revo pickup truck, which is registered in Chachoengsao. A driver, known only as Wichai, has allegedly informed authorities that he was instructed by a Karen soldier to collect the actor from the store.
Authorities are preparing to conduct a more in-depth interrogation of the actor to gather insights regarding his time in Myanmar and the individuals responsible for facilitating his visit, according to Pol Gen Thatchai.
Prime Minister Expresses relief
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her relief and satisfaction regarding the actor’s safe return during an event at Government House. The government is reportedly managing the situation with caution to avoid any adverse effects on tourism.
The incident has garnered significant attention on Chinese social media, prompting worries about its potential impact on Thailand’s hospitality and tourism sector, heavily reliant on Chinese visitors as its primary source market.
Ms. Paetongtarn emphasised the importance of effective management to prevent any negative effects on Thai tourism. She noted that the actor’s disappearance has been exaggerated on social media, creating an image of Thailand as a perilous destination for travellers.
The prime minister stated that the government was collaborating closely with the Chinese embassy to foster understanding on the issue at hand.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong expressed optimism regarding the potential impact on tourism, stating that he hopes it will be short-lived.
“The discovery of Mr. Wang is a positive development,” he remarked. The government and the tourism ministry have a responsibility to instill confidence in tourists. It is asserted that individuals who have travelled to Thailand possess a comprehensive understanding of the current circumstances in the nation.
Chinese Tourism
In the previous year, Thailand recorded a total of 35.5 million foreign arrivals, including 6.7 million visitors from China.
China’s foreign ministry announced that it is maintaining communication with its embassies abroad and will “continue to follow up on the progress of the incident.”
A recent report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime reveals a troubling trend in Southeast Asia, where billion-dollar cyber scam operations are on the rise, with Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia identified as key hotspots for these illicit activities.
Numerous individuals involved in scam operations within the region are, in fact, victims of human trafficking themselves.
In a recent report by China Central Television, it was revealed that Myanmar had handed over 41,000 individuals suspected of involvement in telecom scams to China last year. This move comes as Beijing intensifies its efforts to combat an illegal industry that has reportedly drained billions of dollars from unsuspecting victims.
