Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand is strengthening security measures for tourists to restore confidence among Chinese visitors, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has pledged after concerns were raised about the safety of travellers following the kidnapping of a Chinese actor.
Tourism is the country's main source of income, she stated, stressing that she does not want it to be affected.
Paetongtarn said that she has instructed security agencies to raise the level of security for tourists. The Thai PM added that she would record a message in Chinese to reassure tourists about their safety during their stay in Thailand.
In 2024, over 6.7 million Chinese nationals visited Thailand, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the 35.5 million foreign tourist arrivals.
Concerns over the safety of Chinese tourists were triggered earlier this month when actor Wang Xing reportedly went missing at the Thai-Myanmar border and authorities suggested that he might have fallen victim to human trafficking by criminals. The 22-year-old actor was later found and has now returned to China.
The case went viral on social media platforms, raising fears in Thailand of a potential decline in Chinese visitors, especially as the Lunar New Year holidays begin./.
