Pattaya’s tourism takes a hit after Chinese abduction (video)
Thailand’s tourism industry has been rocked by the recent abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, leaving popular hotspots like Pattaya eerily quiet. The star was allegedly lured to Thailand under false pretences before being trafficked across the border and held captive in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
While Thai police scrambled to rescue the actor, the fallout was swift. News of the terrifying ordeal spread like wildfire in China, sparking fears over safety in Thailand and sending shockwaves through the tourism sector. Once bustling with Chinese visitors, Pattaya is witnessing a drastic downturn in arrivals, with holidaymakers choosing to stay away.
Bancha Kullavanit, Executive Director of Ocean Sky Boat Tours, revealed the extent of the damage, stating that Chinese New Year 2025 saw a staggering 30% drop in Chinese tourists compared to 2024.
“Traditionally, this festival brings double the number of Chinese visitors, but this year, the numbers have plummeted.”
Chinese tourists in Pattaya generally fall into two categories—budget group tours and high-spending independent travellers (F.I.T.). However, both segments have been hit hard. While group tours have already declined due to rising costs, F.I.T. visitors, who usually enjoy luxury stays during peak seasons, have also steered clear, leaving hotels and beaches noticeably emptier than usual.
Bancha stressed that the root cause of the decline is the damaging publicity surrounding the kidnapping.
“The negative perception of Thailand’s safety, especially among Chinese travellers, has shattered confidence.”
Bancha urged the Thai government to take immediate steps to repair the country’s image.
With Chinese tourism playing a crucial role in Thailand’s economy, industry leaders are calling for urgent action to restore trust before the damage becomes irreversible, reported Pattaya Mail.
Last week, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured Chinese tourists through an AI-generated video that Thailand remains a safe place to visit in a bid to retain visitor numbers from one of Thailand’s largest groups of visitors.
@thenationthailand Thai PM reassures Chinese tourists with AI . On Wednesday, the Thai Khu Fa Facebook page shared a video featuring Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressing Chinese tourists using AI technology to turn her voice into Chinese to reassure Chinese tourists that Thailand is safe. . Thailand ChineseTourists China Tourism ScamCentre TheNation ThailandNews
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