Thai and mighty: President Xi praises Thai PM for scam crack down
In a warm gesture of appreciation, Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for Thailand’s tough stance against scammers preying on Chinese nationals across the region.
As the Land of Smiles seeks to revive its tourism industry post-Covid-19, China stands as a vital partner. Yet, new threats have emerged, with reports indicating that Chinese tourists are being abducted and forced into scam operations in neighbouring Myanmar.
During a tête-à-tête with the Thai premier in Beijing, President Xi expressed his gratitude for Thailand’s crackdown on online gambling and scams, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
He stressed the necessity of ongoing collaboration in security, law enforcement, and judicial affairs to protect lives and property.
In a bold move only yesterday, Thai officials cut off electricity supplies in five suspected scam hotbeds in Myanmar. These sinister centres, deemed national security threats, are orchestrated by criminal gangs who exploit trafficked foreigners to swindle victims in a fraud industry worth billions, analysts say.
Earlier in the year, headlines exploded when Chinese actor Wang Xing was allegedly rescued from a cyber fraud centre in Myanmar. His dramatic ordeal seemingly spooked Chinese travellers, leading to a noticeable dip in tourists flocking to Thailand during the Lunar New Year celebrations compared to times past.
Jirayu Houngsub, a government spokesperson, revealed that during her meeting with Xi, the Thai PM received China’s endorsement of Thailand’s pivotal role in regional cooperation. This includes joint endeavours in high-speed train development, the blossoming digital economy, and the Eastern Economic Corridor.
To further fortify these ties, China is set to host the China International Import Expo this year to spotlight regional goods and services.
The 38 year old Thai prime minister highlighted the strides made in the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, given the green light by the Cabinet on February 4.
The next leg of this ambitious venture carries a price tag of around 340 billion baht and promises to link Bangkok to Yunnan, China, through Laos, where a high-speed line already zips across the landscape.
Ensuring the safety of foreign tourists remains a top priority, PM Paetongtarn assured President Xi, pledging ongoing cooperation to dismantle crime rings using Thailand as a trafficking transit route.
The prime minister extended a warm invitation for collaboration in human resources and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Yesterday, the Thai PM rubbed shoulders with Chinese business moguls to strengthen commercial partnerships. She met Jia Shao Qian, helm of Hisense Group, a key player in home appliances and electronics, expressing Thailand’s readiness to back the company’s expansion via the Board of Investment.
Her busy schedule also included discussions with Alain Lam, CFO and VP of Xiaomi Corporation, urging the tech giant to consider Thailand as a secondary manufacturing hub.
PM Paetongtarn is also poised to attend the glitzy opening of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang, marking the launch of the Golden Jubilee year for Thailand-China Friendship—a tribute to 50 years of diplomatic amity.
Latest Thailand News
