Chinese Crime Gangs Holding Thai Tourism Hostage: An Alarming Reality
China’s influence on Thailand’s tourism industry has taken a dark turn as Chinese crime gangs have begun to exploit Chinese tourists visiting the country. The situation has become so dire that Beijing and Bangkok are actively working to curb the activities of these gangs, who are involved in scamming and kidnapping of Chinese travellers in Thailand. The fear of becoming victims of these crimes has led many Chinese tourists to cancel their trips to Thailand, a country heavily reliant on tourism.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has acknowledged the gravity of the situation. In January, he instructed security agencies to enhance the safety measures for tourists after two high-profile Chinese individuals disappeared in Thailand and were later found in Myanmar. “Tourism is the country’s main source of income. I don’t want it to be affected,” Paetongtarn stated to the media.
In one bizarre incident, scammers even mimicked the voice of former US President Donald Trump in a failed attempt to convince Prime Minister Paetongtarn to send money to Hong Kong. This level of audacity highlights the lengths to which these criminal gangs will go to carry out their schemes.
Chinese crime gangs have allegedly infiltrated Thailand’s interior ministry, police, and immigration department. These gangs secure lengthy visas, invest in property, run nightclubs, marry Thai nationals, smuggle drugs, and use Thailand as a hedonistic haven. The ease with which they operate in the country raises concerns about the integrity of Thai institutions.
The activities of these gangs are not just a local issue. Americans lost an estimated US$3.5 billion to “China-origin criminal networks” operating internet scams from Southeast Asia in 2023, according to the US Institute of Peace (USIP). The US and China are the most affected by these online scams.
The criminal networks lure unsuspecting individuals to Thailand with promises of high-paying jobs, including housing and other perks. Once they arrive, they are trafficked into Myanmar and enslaved in heavily guarded compounds. In these compounds, they are forced to work in cyber call centres, scamming people overseas through elaborate “pig butchering” scams, known as “shazhu pan” in Chinese.
Most scam centres are based in Myanmar, but some are also in Cambodia, Laos, and other locations. In Myanmar, these operations are challenging to shut down because they are located in areas controlled by ethnic guerrillas fighting for autonomy or independence. In Cambodia, cities like Sihanoukville and Poipet are known for housing these scam centres, which are protected by violence and bribes.
Despite the challenges, there have been significant efforts to combat these crimes. Between August and December 2024, a joint operation by Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, known as Operation Seagull, resulted in the arrest of over 70,000 suspects and the rescue of more than 160 victims.
Chinese actor Wang Xing’s disappearance in January after arriving in Thailand drew significant attention. He was later found at the Thai-Myanmar border, looking gaunt with his head freshly shaved. His case underscored the dangers Chinese tourists face in Thailand. Similarly, Chinese model Yang Zeqi disappeared while visiting Tak province in western Thailand. He resurfaced a month later but did not publicly describe his ordeal.
China’s Public Security Ministry has issued warnings to its citizens, urging them to be cautious and avoid falling victim to scams and fraud traps. The financial losses and fear resulting from these incidents have had a significant impact on Thailand’s tourism industry, which accounts for about 12% of the country’s GDP and nearly a fifth of all employment.
Senior Thai police have met with Chinese Embassy officials in Bangkok to coordinate searches for missing Chinese citizens in Southeast Asia. Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office, National Cyber Security Agency, Thai Bankers’ Association, and mobile telephone operators are also working together to tackle the problem.
Despite these issues, Thailand and China have shared close economic, military, and diplomatic ties for years. Thai officials, including Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong, have expressed their commitment to handling the issue carefully to minimize its impact on tourism. Mandarin-language social media is being monitored for news and chatter about Chinese tourists’ experiences in Thailand.
The release of the Chinese crime thriller film “No More Bets” in 2023 further exacerbated the situation. The film, which depicted a Chinese couple trafficked to a scam centre in an unnamed Southeast Asian country, frightened many in China. The resulting fear led to a significant drop in Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, with numbers falling to only 3.5 million visitors that year. Hong Kong singer Eason Chan Yik-shun even cancelled his Bangkok concert due to safety concerns.
Chinese criminals operating in Thailand have pulled off audacious crimes, including a heist involving a $28,000 diamond and gold bracelet and the forced transfer of $2 million in cryptocurrency from a wealthy Chinese businessman.
Chinese criminals continue to diversify their methods, experimenting with artificial intelligence and other high-tech tools to create new schemes. China Daily reported that these fraudsters are constantly innovating to cheat people of different ages, professions, and academic backgrounds.
The persistent threat posed by Chinese crime gangs in Thailand highlights the severe weaknesses in the country’s tourism sector and the far-reaching consequences for international relations and economic stability. China is not acting hard on its criminal elements; this is undermining Thailand’s reputation as a safe tourist destination. This escalating crisis exposes China’s inability to control the illegal activities originating from its own borders, causing significant harm to a nation heavily dependent on tourism for its economic well-being. As Thailand struggles to combat this menace, its safety perception remains in jeopardy, overshadowing its tourism industry and casting doubt on its security measures.
