Reassurance of Hong Kong Citizens’ Safety in Thailand

In light of the recent media coverage regarding Hongkongers who have been lured to work at Scam Parks in Myanmar under false pretences involving Thailand or other countries as their working destination, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong wishes to express our deep regret that many people have fallen victims to these scam centres and would like to address the concerns of Hong Kong citizens.

The Royal Thai Consulate-General understands that the incident has raised concern about the safety among Hong Kong travellers as trafficking and scamming operations use Thailand as a transit point to carry out illegal activities across its border with neighbouring countries. However, I would like to assure that Thailand remains a safe destination for all international visitors since none of the victims are tourists. They were misled by scammers to travel to Thailand to work in high-paying jobs but ended up being escorted across the border to the scam centres. Also, the Royal Thai Consulate-General would like to echo Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau Yip’s message that none of them were abducted on the street.

The Royal Thai Government has been taking significant steps to enhance comprehensive measures to tackle transnational crimes and human trafficking, which will help reassure international tourists and visitors of their safety. These measures include:

1. Addressing fake news reports and misinformation on social media platforms on the job scams.
2. Ensuring sufficient tourist police in at-risk areas to provide immediate assistance and support to visitors.
3. Launching "Tourist Police" mobile application in December 2024, which is available in six languages (Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian). The application aims to promote better understanding as well as to provide accurate information, which will ensure the safety and trust of all visitors while traveling in the country.
4. Strengthening security measures by implementing a two-level border control system utilising both military and police forces along the eastern and western borders across 14 provinces. Individuals will be asked about their purpose of travelling to the border area and their travelling plan in the neighbouring countries. Warning signs have been put up along the road to warn the people that they are entering the border area.
5. We have also been closely monitoring at-risk areas and stepping up information-sharing with travellers at the borders with our neighbouring countries about any activities aimed at luring foreign visitors into accepting high-paying jobs that may be exploitative or illegal. Furthermore, the Royal Thai Government has been discussing this matter with our neighbouring countries at all levels. On 21 January 2025, senior officials from Thailand met with their Chinese and Myanmar counterparts in Kunming and reached positive consensus on eradicating the scam centres in Myanmar.

The Royal Thai Consulate-General has also put up the warning banner to alert Hong Kong travellers or people seeking jobs in Thailand to contact the Royal Thai Consulate-General for verification. Please be assured that the Royal Thai Government will do our utmost to follow up the cases involving foreign nationals misled to travel to neighbouring countries through our existing mechanism. The Royal Thai Consulate-General stands ready to cooperate with the Hong Kong Government and private entities to address the concerns and to coordinate with Thai agencies to follow up on any requests.

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The Royal Thai Consulate-General, Hong Kong

22 January 2025