21-1-2025 (BANGKOK) The Thai Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is set to provide personal guarantees regarding Chinese tourist safety during her forthcoming visit to China, Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong revealed yesterday.
The diplomatic move comes as Thailand aims to boost Chinese visitor numbers to 9 million this year, marking an ambitious 35% increase from last year’s 6.7 million arrivals.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr Thienthong highlighted ongoing efforts by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to bolster tourist confidence. He acknowledged challenges in reaching Chinese audiences across diverse social media platforms, noting that positive developments and safety measures often fail to penetrate all channels effectively.
The minister disclosed his recent discussions with the Chinese ambassador, who has pledged support in facilitating communication with Chinese nationals. These diplomatic exchanges have gained particular urgency following the high-profile disappearance of Chinese actor Wang Xing, 31, near the Thai-Myanmar border earlier this month. Whilst the actor was safely recovered, authorities suspect his case may be linked to human trafficking operations.
Despite these concerns, Mr Thienthong presented encouraging statistics, reporting that Chinese arrivals have actually surged to 22,000 daily visitors this month, compared to the typical 17,000. He clarified that recent booking cancellations were primarily confined to first-time visitors and organised tour groups, whilst independent travellers remained largely undeterred.
In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai called for enhanced border security measures during yesterday’s cabinet meeting, addressing concerns about transnational criminal activities. This aligns with China’s recent proposal to ASEAN for coordinated regional action against scam syndicates.
Mr Wechayachai, who also serves as defence minister, expressed optimism about rebuilding Chinese tourist confidence in Thailand as a destination. The government’s proactive stance reflects the significance of Chinese tourism to Thailand’s economy and the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations between the two nations.
