BANGKOK – Thailand, famous for its lively tourist scene, faces a surge in organized crime linked to Chinese gangs. Criminal groups now drive cyber fraud, drug routes, and human trafficking by exploiting Thailand’s relaxed border checks, weak rules, and tourism-focused economy.
These problems, most visible in northern provinces such as Chiang Rai, have put extra pressure on Thai police and harmed the tourism sector, especially with travellers from China. Thai forces have toughened their approach and joined forces with Chinese officials, but many question if these steps will truly solve the deeper problems or curb China’s expanding reach in Southeast Asia.
Chinese criminal groups have made Thailand their base, drawn by its location, easy visa rules, and open borders with Myanmar and Laos. Reports show these gangs have slipped into key Thai offices such as the interior ministry, police, and immigration.
They get long-term visas, buy property, and sometimes become citizens using fake documents. Their rackets include smuggling drugs from the Golden Triangle, laundering money with real estate deals, and running illegal clubs for Chinese clients.
In the north, particularly in Chiang Rai, scam rings have flourished. Many set up complex call-centre scams and web cons, luring people with fake job ads only to force them into working in Myanmar’s lawless border towns like Myawaddy.
Infamous “pig butchering” scams, called shazhu pan in China, have taken billions from victims around the world—Americans alone lost about $3.5 billion to these schemes in 2023.
One case, involving Chinese actor Wang Xing, drew attention globally. In January 2025, Wang was kidnapped after arriving in Thailand for a fake casting call. Police rescued him from a scam camp near the Myanmar border, sparking outrage back in China and causing many Chinese tourists to cancel trips.
When Chinese model Yang Zeqi disappeared in Tak, it further damaged the country’s image as a safe place for visitors.
Chinese-Linked Crime
Facing pressure from home and abroad, Thai police have boosted their efforts. The Royal Thai Police, Immigration Bureau, and Department of Special Investigation have stepped up raids on Chinese-linked crime.
Recent arrests in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai show these actions are ramping up. In August 2025, police arrested three people—two from China, one Thai—in a Chiang Mai cash mule scam, seizing millions of baht in evidence.
Across the region, international operations like “Operation Seagull” have brought results. This alliance of Thailand, China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam led to over 70,000 arrests and over 160 rescues from August to December 2024.
In February 2025, Thai police moved against top leaders of Myanmar’s Border Guard Force, such as Chit Thu, tied to Chinese-controlled scam camps in Myawaddy.
Authorities are also clamping down on the money side, working with the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Thai Bankers’ Association to freeze illicit cash. Yet, gangs show they can bounce back, quickly restoring their communication lines after previous police crackdowns in 2023 and 2024.
Corruption remains a major obstacle. Allegations point to immigration officers helping criminals get fake visas, making enforcement harder. The Chinese embassy in Bangkok openly backs Thai action against Chinese nationals who break the law, promising close cooperation.
In early 2025, Chinese Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi met Thai leaders in Nonthaburi and said 36 big Chinese call-centre gangs in Myawaddy together employ over 100,000 people. Liu pressed Thai police to act fast against ringleaders and help bring Chinese victims back home.
Joint efforts have freed hostages like Wang Xing and sent around 900 Chinese scam victims from Myawaddy back to China in 2024. However, Beijing’s growing presence in Thailand has raised worries.
China has pushed for a Joint Law Enforcement Centre and tighter on-ground security, using Thailand’s need for Chinese tourist income to gain more say. Some warn that this deeper cooperation could see China wield more power over Thailand’s security systems.
Chinese influence is also felt outside policing. Ever since 2022, links between Chinese money, organized crime, and Thai officials have worried many. Scandals over fake IDs and money laundering uncovered collusion.
Reports that Chinese gangs donated to political groups, such as the Phalang Pracharat Party, show just how connected these syndicates are within the country.
Effects on Thailand’s Chinese Tourism
Tourism brings in about 12% of Thailand’s GDP and supports almost one in five jobs. The recent spike in crime involving Chinese nationals has hit this sector hard. The 2023 visa-free policy for Chinese citizens did boost numbers, with 6.73 million arrivals in 2024, up by 91%.
But high-profile events like Wang Xing’s kidnapping and the release of “No More Bets”—a film showing the dark side of scam compounds—have stoked fears. This led to a sharp drop, with just 3.5 million Chinese tourists visiting in 2023.
The government is keen to win back visitors’ trust. Former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has promised tighter security. Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong has kept the visa-free policy but is open to shorter stays, possibly cutting the 60-day visit to 15 days to keep out criminals but not honest tourists. At the same time, officials are watching Chinese social media for negative opinions as cancellations hurt the industry.
Northern provinces, especially Chiang Rai, have become havens for Chinese scam groups. Their closeness to Myanmar and looser local controls make it easier for crime rings to operate. Gangs run call-centre and online scams, often with help from Myanmar’s Border Guard Force and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army.
Places like Shwe Kokko Yatai New City now recruit English speakers to target Americans and Indians, showing these groups are expanding their reach.
Local police in Chiang Rai are often outmatched by the gangs’ high-tech tools, including artificial intelligence. The August 2025 arrest in Chiang Mai of three suspects linked to these networks shows how the region has become crucial for moving dirty money.
Thailand is at a key point. The need to keep tourism strong while fighting rising foreign-led crime makes life complicated for leaders. Working with China could help break up gangs, but risks giving Beijing an even firmer grip on Thai security and politics.
Building stronger police, limiting corruption, and better border checks are all vital to stopping the flow of criminals.
For Chiang Rai and other northern areas, investing in local police and teaming up with Myanmar will be needed to clear out scam hotspots. To draw Chinese visitors back, Thailand must work on public safety—maybe through campaigns or tighter visa checks.
Chinese organized crime now threatens Thailand’s image as a safe holiday spot and reveals bigger gaps in its security and politics.
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