Thailand and China plan safety group as Chinese arrivals fall 13.57% in October

Thailand and China plan to establish a joint working group to protect tourists and tackle scams luring Chinese nationals across the border into Myanmar, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said following talks on November 5, 2026.

The proposed cooperation comes as Chinese arrivals to Thailand fell 13.57% year on year to 308,942 in October. Surasak described the decline as the first since February, interrupting a recovery from concerns about Thailand’s safety.

Joint group to coordinate information and tourist assistance

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Chinese embassy plan to establish the working group next week to exchange information and coordinate assistance for tourists. Surasak said cooperation would also be sought from administrative authorities.

Surasak discussed the arrangements with Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei on the evening of November 5. The talks followed an embassy advisory issued in October urging Chinese citizens travelling to Thailand to remain alert to fraudulent job offers.

“China has made clear that it does not support Chinese nationals who break the law in Thailand and wants Thailand to take firm action,” Surasak said.

Surasak said China was willing to exchange information about individuals to help distinguish Chinese nationals involved in unlawful activity from tourists entering Thailand legitimately. He described the cooperation as demonstrating Thailand’s determination to address the problem.

Border controls to target scam routes into Myawaddy

Zhang told Surasak that the embassy had issued similar advisories several times, but coverage by Chinese media had amplified the latest notice into a major issue, according to the minister.

Surasak supported advising Chinese citizens before departure so they could recognise the risk of being deceived and taken across the border illegally, particularly by scam networks moving people into Myawaddy in Myanmar.

Surasak said people crossing voluntarily were harder for officials at border checkpoints to identify as needing assistance. In cases involving deception or coercion, including people being taken with their hands and feet bound through unofficial crossing routes, officers could set up checkpoints, conduct searches and intervene immediately, he added.

The ambassador acknowledged that some Chinese nationals were deceiving fellow citizens and that Thai nationals were also involved in networks facilitating illegal border crossings, Surasak said. Thai authorities had previously intercepted such movements and rescued victims in time.

“The ambassador stressed that he did not want Thailand to be a transit route and wanted tighter enforcement,” Surasak said.

Thailand to promote visitor safety at APEC

The tourism ministry will pursue safety measures to rebuild confidence and coordinate with security agencies to strengthen checkpoints, patrols and enforcement in areas considered vulnerable, Surasak said.

Surasak added that the government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, would use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19 to reinforce its message on tourist safety.

“The government will use the opportunity to emphasise Thailand’s readiness to welcome tourists and the safety measures for every foreign visitor travelling to the country,” Surasak said.