The recent disappearance of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has prompted the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to closely monitor its potential impact on the upcoming Chinese New Year travel period. With concerns over tourist safety and organized crime, private operators are urging the government to take swift action to address these issues and ensure the safety of international visitors.
Wang Xing, who was reportedly invited to participate in an audition, went missing on Friday in Mae Sot, a district in Tak province near the Myanmar border. Fortunately, the actor was found unharmed on Tuesday and returned to Thailand, where authorities suspect he may have fallen victim to human trafficking.
Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT’s deputy governor for international marketing in Asia and the South Pacific, stated that the agency is closely monitoring the situation and its potential to affect travel sentiment, particularly during the Lunar New Year period from January 28 to February 4. She noted that TAT had deployed its five offices in China to monitor news and discussions on Chinese social media platforms. Additionally, the agency is working with tourist police to ensure the safety of travelers in Thailand.
Despite concerns over this recent incident, Pattaraanong emphasized that any potential negative impact on tourism would likely be short-term. She also highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by China’s sluggish economy, which continues to affect spending on travel. Nevertheless, Thailand still expects a steady flow of visitors, with an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 Chinese arrivals per day during the Lunar New Year.
TAT is actively promoting Thailand as a top destination for the holiday, with numerous events planned across Bangkok and other tourism provinces. The agency is leveraging the long-standing diplomatic ties between Thailand and China, alongside attractive promotional packages available through online travel agents. TAT has set its sights on attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year, as part of a broader target of 39 to 40 million foreign arrivals in 2025, following 6.73 million Chinese visitors in 2024.
Surawat Akaraworamat, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, stated that it is too early to assess the full impact of the incident on Chinese New Year travel. To date, there have been no reports of cancellations linked to the case. While he acknowledged the swift response by the police in locating Wang Xing, Surawat emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the details the actor shared about his experience during his time missing. He called for decisive measures against organized criminal groups involved in such schemes, especially if grey-market Chinese businesses are implicated.
The case has reignited references to the 2022 film No More Bets, which portrays a story about call-center scams trafficking Chinese citizens to Southeast Asia. The film’s release had a significant impact on Chinese tourist arrivals, contributing to a decline to just 3.5 million visitors from China that year. Surawat noted that while references to the film had waned in 2023, they have resurfaced in light of the recent incident, raising concerns among tourism operators. However, he remains optimistic that the flow of tourists during Chinese New Year will improve compared to last year, thanks to increased seat capacity and Thailand’s visa exemption scheme.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong confirmed that the ministry had reached out to the Chinese ambassador to help address safety concerns and communicate Thailand’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of visitors.
