China’s President Xi applauds Thailand for its robust measures targeting scam centers.

BEIJING, Feb 6 — Chinese President Xi Jinping has thanked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for Thailand’s “strong measures” against scam centres that target Chinese nationals. These illicit operations, which have proliferated along the Thai-Myanmar border, are staffed by trafficked workers forced to defraud victims, according to experts.

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Concerns over safety rose when several Chinese citizens were rescued from the compounds, sparking fears among tourists about possible kidnappings. Because China is a major market for Thailand’s tourism industry—especially as the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic—the issue has drawn significant attention.

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During a meeting in Beijing, Xi praised Thailand’s crackdown on online gambling and scams, urging continued cooperation in security, law enforcement, and judicial matters. At the same time, Thai authorities announced that 61 people, including 34 Chinese nationals, have been rescued from scam centres in Myanmar.

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Prime Minister Paetongtarn assured Xi that protecting tourists and citizens is the Thai government’s top priority. She also expressed Thailand’s readiness to work with China to combat cross-border crime, including issuing timely warnings about potential threats. On Wednesday, Thai officials cut power to five areas in Myanmar suspected of housing fraud activities.

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Bangkok views these scam hubs as a national security concern. In January, Chinese actor Wang Xing was reportedly freed from a cyber fraud site in Myanmar, a high-profile case that has contributed to a decline in Chinese visitors during peak travel seasons. — AFP

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greet each other with a handshake at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on February 6, 2025, Reuters reports.

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