Thailand's visa waiver scheme for Chinese nationals has faced growing scrutiny following the high-profile alleged kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing and a rise in similar criminal activities, raising concerns about both tourism and security. The incident involving Wang Xing, which went viral on social media platforms earlier this month, prompted Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reassure Chinese tourists about their safety as the Lunar New Year approaches. Tourism plays a crucial role in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, which welcomed a record 39.
9 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic severely impacted the sector. In 2023, the Thai government lifted visa requirements for Chinese nationals, its largest source of visitors, to revive the industry. Since then, foreign tourist arrivals have risen by 26% year-on-year, totalling 35.
5 million, with 6.73 million of those coming from China — a 91% increase. However, the surge in visitors has been linked to a rise in illegal activities, particularly in towns near the borders with Laos and Myanmar, where criminal groups reportedly run scam operations and online gambling rings, according to Senator Wanchai Ekpornpichit.
Also read | Thailand is stepping up security for tourists after concerns raised ahead of Chinese New Year "The visa-free policy has contributed to a rise in transnational crime, with Chinese criminals using Thailand as a base," Wanchai stated in parliament on Monday, Reuters reported. "We a.