Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Beijing on February 6th, discussing strengthening cooperation in combating cybercrimes, particularly online gambling and phone scams.
According to a report from Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping commended Thailand for its strong measures against online gambling and scams targeting Chinese nationals. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the two countries in law enforcement, security, and judicial matters to protect people’s lives and property while maintaining order in regional exchanges.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn reiterated Thailand’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all tourists, including Chinese visitors. She pledged to take action against platforms spreading false information about Thailand’s tourism industry, especially those related to scam centers. She also highlighted the need for joint efforts in combating phone fraud and other cybercrimes.
The issue of scam centers, particularly along the Thai-Myanmar border, has caused growing concerns. These centers have been reported to operate with trafficked individuals forced into scam operations, mostly targeting Chinese citizens. Recently, several people, including 34 Chinese nationals, were rescued from these centers.
In response, Thai authorities have intensified their efforts, including cutting power to areas in Myanmar where these fraud centers are located. The issue has been labeled a “national security concern” by Thailand, as it affects both the safety of foreign tourists and the integrity of the country’s tourism industry.
Thailand’s close relationship with China is crucial as the country seeks to rebuild its tourism sector post-pandemic. According to projections, Thailand is expected to receive 39 to 40 million visitors in 2025, with about 8.8 million to 9 million Chinese tourists.
The relationship between the two nations is significant not only because China has always been the largest source of tourists to Thailand but also because Thailand is now aiming to legalize casinos, which could pose a future challenge to Macau’s gaming industry.
