‘Real’ Chinese tourists won’t face kidnap risk, says minister

Surasak acknowledges that those lured to Thailand by job offers should be wary

PUBLISHED : 20 Oct 2026 at 15:40

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has responded to a new Chinese travel advisory about the risk of kidnapping in Thailand, saying genuine tourists would never be targeted by criminal gangs.

Safety would not be compromised for Chinese people who visited Thailand strictly for tourism purposes, he said on Tuesday, but there was concern about visitors who might have been lured to the country by promises of jobs.

In the latter case, there have been several instances of foreigners who arrived in Thailand in response to job offers being abducted and taken across the border to work in scam centres.

Mr Surasak conceded that the latest warning, which specifically mentioned the risk of “transport provided by others”, could damage Thailand’s tourism image and undermine Chinese visitors’ confidence.

He acknowledged that there had been kidnappings but said the victims were later rescued because the perpetrators were stopped at checkpoints.

It would be impossible for those arriving as ordinary tourists to be abducted, tied up and taken in a car to the border, the minister said.

“Tourists from other countries have no such problems … The issue happens with visitors from a certain country because they were contacted in their homeland,” he said.

“If tourists want to cross the border from Thailand, they must pass many checkpoints. If they need help, they can call for it. They can’t easily cross the border to a neighbouring country unless they are aware that they were being lured.”

Mr Surasak assured that the government prioritised tourists’ safety and said he would told talks with Chinese authorities so that the government can enact measures to address their concerns.