Thai police have confirmed that Chinese actor Wang Xing, who disappeared while traveling in Thailand, was a victim of human trafficking. He was found near the Myanmar border, an area notorious for operating online scam networks.
According to reports, Wang’s family sought assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand after he went missing at the Thailand-Myanmar border. Authorities located him on Tuesday in Myanmar and subsequently brought him back to Thailand for questioning. Photos showed Wang, with his head shaved, sitting with police in the Thai border town of Mae Sot.
Wang explained to police that he was lured by a job offer for a casting role with a major Thai entertainment company. Instead, he was taken across the border into Myanmar, where investigators believe he was forced to participate in a call scam operation targeting Chinese nationals. Senior Inspector General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot stated, “The area is known as a haven for criminal syndicates that have coerced countless individuals in Southeast Asia into scams, including counterfeit romantic schemes and illegal gambling.”
An initial review of chat logs on Wang’s phone corroborated his account. He reported that about 50 other Chinese individuals were also present at the location, and like him, they had been shaved and were too frightened to attempt an escape.
Criminal activities have thrived in border regions of military-ruled Myanmar, where decades of conflict have occurred between armed ethnic groups and the military. Although Chinese authorities claim to have cracked down on trafficking syndicates through joint operations, these efforts have not led to the arrest of key figures operating within Myanmar.
Wang’s case gained wider attention after a social media post from someone claiming to be his girlfriend surfaced on Chinese platforms. Wang is known for his roles in popular Chinese television dramas.
In light of the incident, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated on Tuesday that the government is doing everything possible to address any potential impact this case may have on Thailand’s reputation as a safe tourist destination.
Credit: ABC News
