Chinese Embassy in Thailand warns of 'high-paying recruitment' trap

Chinese citizens coming to Thailand should be vigilant not to fall into the trap of "high-paying recruitment," reminded the Chinese Embassy in Thailand on Saturday.

Chinese citizens coming to Thailand should not easily believe in false promises such as "high-paying jobs" and "free air tickets and accommodation" to avoid being deceived, said the statement.

The Chinese embassy confirmed on Friday that the Chinese citizen surnamed Wang departed from Thailand for China on Friday night following collaborative efforts from both countries.

The Chinese embassy expressed its gratitude to the Thai government for prioritizing Wang's case, which was caused by cyber-fraud, and for promptly launching a rescue operation that ensured his safe return.

Wang Xing, a Chinese actor, entered Thailand on January 3, but lost contact near the Thailand-Myanmar border. The Thai police tracked his movements and successfully rescued him on Tuesday, identifying him as a victim of human trafficking.

The incident has drawn widespread public concern in both China and Thailand.

Details about Wang's case and rescue work

Thailand's Senior Inspector General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot shared details about the Chinese actor's rescue work in an interview on Thursday.

The investigation revealed that Wang had received a job offer and traveled to Thailand, where he was picked up by a vehicle arranged by his "recruiter" after arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on January 3, 2025.

Wang took photos of the vehicle's license plate and key landmarks on the way, sending them to his girlfriend in China, Thatchai said, adding that Wang didn't realize that he might have been deceived until he was brought across a river into rural Myanmar and found himself landed in a raw environment where there were no recreational facilities at all.

According to a timeline revealed by the Tak Immigration Office on Tuesday, Wang entered Thailand at around 3:16 a.m. local time on January 3 and left Suvarnabhumi Airport by car at 3:40 a.m., passing through Chainat and Kamphaeng Phet provinces before losing contact at around 11:00 a.m. in Mae Sot, Tak province.

The immigration office confirmed that Wang was put in another vehicle in Mae Sot and that there was no evidence of his passage through the official point of entry connecting Thailand and Myanmar.

Thatchai mentioned that various technical means were employed to track Wang's location after authorities were requested for assistance. "It was easier to track his movements since he left Suvarnabhumi Airport directly for the border without any stopovers, which helped us identify where he crossed and ultimately located the driver, leading to more accurate information," he said.

Regarding other potential cases, Thatchai affirmed that the police would provide assistance under the legal process when requested. "However, more complex cases involving changes of vehicles, personnel or directions would present challenges for tracking," he explained.

The official advised Chinese visitors to remain vigilant regarding job offers in neighboring countries, especially for those transiting through Thailand to a third country, so as to avoid falling victim to scam syndicates.

Thai authorities will prioritize cross-border cooperation and preventative measures, including educating people about the risks of traveling to third-party countries under false pretenses and the dangers of human trafficking, Thatchai added.

(With input from Xinhua)