The recent kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has sparked safety concerns among Chinese tourists, dampening Thailand’s appeal ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday. Many Chinese travelers have canceled plans to visit Thailand, citing fears for their safety. Flight cancellations from China to Thailand surged 155% over the weekend compared to the same period last year, according to travel analytics firm ForwardKeys.
Wang Xing’s ordeal began in a Thai town bordering Myanmar, where he was abducted and taken to a scam center by human traffickers. Thai authorities successfully rescued him, but the incident gained widespread attention on social media, leading many to cancel their trips to Thailand.
The backlash has extended beyond tourism. Hong Kong singer Eason Chan canceled a sold-out Bangkok concert scheduled for February 22, citing fan safety concerns. Comedian Zhao Benshan also postponed a Bangkok performance. In Chonburi province, a popular tourist area that includes Pattaya, 30% to 40% of Chinese tour groups have canceled hotel bookings, although independent travelers make up the majority of Chinese arrivals.
Chinese tourism in Thailand has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, 11 million Chinese tourists visited the country, but numbers have remained far below that despite visa-waiver agreements and efforts to boost travel. Last year, 6.7 million out of 35.5 million tourists in Thailand were from China. The slow recovery is partly due to China’s economic slowdown, which has curbed spending on international travel and luxury shopping.
Safety concerns have further discouraged Chinese travelers from visiting Southeast Asia. Reports of scam operators and human trafficking incidents have eroded trust. The Wang Xing kidnapping case has amplified these fears, with Thailand’s tourism and leisure stocks dropping 9% since the beginning of 2025, compared to a 3.4% decline in the broader market index.
The Thai government has responded quickly to mitigate the damage. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has pledged to improve safety and protect tourists during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced enhanced measures to safeguard visitors, while Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai coordinated efforts along the Thai-Myanmar border to prevent human trafficking.
The area where Wang was kidnapped is notorious for criminal activity, including drug trafficking, illegal casinos, and scam centers. His rescue has prompted greater scrutiny of similar cases, including the recent disappearance of a Chinese model in Thailand. Both Thai and Chinese police are investigating.
The incident has also drawn attention from other governments. Hong Kong has sent a task force to Thailand to investigate cases of residents lured into illegal activities by criminal gangs.
Thailand’s commitment to addressing these issues is crucial as it seeks to reassure tourists and regain their confidence. With Chinese tourists being the country’s largest source of visitors, the government’s ability to ensure safety will play a pivotal role in revitalizing the tourism industry.
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