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A recent incident confirmed by the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has once again raised alarm bells about the sophisticated labor scams and human trafficking rampant in Southeast Asia. The latest victim, a 23-year-old male model surnamed Zhong (some reports call him Zhong Haobin), was fortunately rescued after mysteriously disappearing in Thailand, becoming clear evidence of the inherent risks behind tempting offers of "easy work, high pay."
According to information from the Chinese Embassy, Zhong had lost contact with his family and friends since early June, after accepting an invitation to Thailand for a magazine cover photoshoot. However, instead of a dream career opportunity, Zhong's trip turned into a nightmare when he was tricked and taken to Myanmar.
Male model is believed to be missing in China.
Chinese media quickly reported on the incident, noting that Zhong had been forced to travel to an area in Myanmar – a country notorious for its human trafficking rings and online scam operations. Zhong's disappearance was discovered when his sister received a suspicious call from him, stating that he was in an unknown location in Myanmar. Immediately, Zhong's sister reported the matter to police in Guangzhou (China) and Bangkok (Thailand), triggering a joint investigation.
Media reports suggest that Zhong was forced to go to an area in Myanmar – a country notorious for its human trafficking networks.
Although the Chinese Embassy did not release specific details about the rescue process, they confirmed it was the result of close coordination between various agencies. At the same time, they reiterated a stern warning to Chinese citizens about overseas jobs promising "high pay and easy work" but fraught with risks. The Embassy also noted that Thailand has clear regulations requiring foreign nationals to have a legal work permit to work in the country, a requirement often overlooked by scams.
The Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police has ordered officials to check incoming travelers.
This warning is not unfounded. The United Nations has reported that criminal networks have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to fraudulent centers across Southeast Asia, particularly in areas along the Thai-Myanmar border, including Myawaddy (in Karen State, southeastern Myanmar), a key trade gateway. These centers are often not located in cities but are hidden in remote villages and towns, where victims are forced to work in illegal schemes, ranging from online scams to other illicit activities.
Zhong's case is reminiscent of a series of similar scams that have attracted international attention. In January, a 31-year-old Chinese actor was also tricked into acting in Thailand but was kidnapped and taken to an online scam complex in Myanmar, before being rescued by Thai police. Prior to that, 21-year-old model Yang Zheqi was also a victim of a similar kidnapping and was fortunately freed.
These consecutive incidents have had a significant impact on Thailand's tourism industry, which considers China a top source market. Statistics for the first six months of 2025 reveal a worrying picture: a total of 16,685,466 international tourists visited Thailand, a decrease of 4.66% compared to the same period last year. Notably, the number of Chinese tourists decreased significantly by 34.13%, to only 2,265,556. This decline pushed China down to second place, ceding the top spot to Malaysia with 2,299,897 visitors (although also down 5.58%).
These recurring incidents are having a significant impact on tourism in Thailand.
Mr. Sisdivachr Cheewaratanaporn, Honorary Chairman and Senior Advisor of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), estimates that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in 2025 may only reach around 5 million. This figure is significantly lower than the previous target of 6.9 million set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and also lower than the 6.7 million Chinese tourists who visited Thailand in 2024. Mr. Sisdivachr emphasized: "If we market and stimulate demand effectively, Thailand could welcome 6 million Chinese tourists. But that number would still be lower than in 2024."
A large number of Chinese tourists are no longer enthusiastic about visiting the country.
In light of this situation, following the Wang Jing case, China and Thailand agreed to establish a coordination center in Bangkok to enhance cooperation in investigating and combating fraudulent centers. This visit by Chinese investigators comes after the latest fraud case targeting Zhong, demonstrating the determination of both countries to protect their citizens and maintain a safe tourism environment.
Scams involving "high-paying jobs" that lead to victims being kidnapped and sold to trafficking centers along the Thailand-Myanmar border are a major challenge, affecting not only personal security but also profoundly impacting the region's tourism and economic image.
