In light with the recent surge on Chinese and other nationals falling victim to online scam groups and human trafficking rings, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said on Saturday that talks between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to crack down on online scams need clearer details as proposal is still in early stage.
In a Bangkok Post report, “Right now, we haven’t gone into detail(s) yet”, the minister said. This was said after the Thai minister spoke in a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohammad Hasan in Langkawi, the night of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, hosted by Malaysia the next day, Sunday. Malaysia is the rotating chair of the group this year.
Accordingly, China has offered closer security cooperation with SE Asian countries to fight against scam groups operated by Chinese nationals in foreign countries, with a sharp rise among Chinese citizens being new targets. Myanmar and Cambodia have been identified as locations for these organized crime groups, making Thailand passage way to these countries.
In line with the rise in such activities, some Chinese tourists have decided to cancel their Thailand holiday trips ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday due to safety concerns. These concerns stem from the disappearance of Chinese personalities Wang Xing (actor) and Yang Zeqi (model) after entering the country and being transported via for hire van to the borders. Both individuals were rescued in Myawaddy, Myanmar, opposite to Thailand’s Mae Sot district.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is aware of the situation and has called for an emergency meeting on Friday to address the issue. She mentioned she would produce a video message in Mandarin to assure the safety of Chinese tourists visiting the country.