Photo: Markus Winkler / Pexels
Thailand's tourism minister has pushed back on a new Chinese travel advisory that warns of kidnapping risk in Thailand. On 20 October 2026, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said genuine tourists would never be targeted by criminal gangs. He said the real danger is for people lured to Thailand by job offers, some of whom were taken across the border to work in scam centres. He also admitted the warning could hurt Thailand's tourism image and Chinese visitors' confidence.
What the advisory says
China has issued a new travel advisory warning of kidnapping risk in Thailand. It specifically mentions the risk of "transport provided by others".
The minister's response
Surasak responded on Tuesday, 20 October. His position is that safety is not compromised for Chinese people visiting strictly for tourism, and that genuine tourists would never be targeted by criminal gangs.
He said the real concern is visitors lured to Thailand by job offers. Several foreigners who came for such offers were abducted and taken across the border to work in scam centres.
He acknowledged that kidnappings have happened, but said the victims were later rescued because the perpetrators were stopped at checkpoints. In his view, ordinary tourists could not be abducted, tied up and driven to the border.
He also said the problem does not affect tourists from other countries. It affects visitors from one particular country, which he did not name, because they were contacted in their homeland. In his words:
> "Tourists from other countries have no such problems … The issue happens with visitors from a certain country because they were contacted in their homeland."
Border checkpoints
Surasak pointed to the number of checkpoints on the way out of the country:
> "If tourists want to cross the border from Thailand, they must pass many checkpoints. If they need help, they can call for it. They can't easily cross the border to a neighbouring country unless they are aware that they were being lured."
Possible effect on tourism
The minister conceded that the warning could damage Thailand's tourism image and undermine Chinese visitors' confidence. That matters for tourism businesses, since Chinese tourist numbers could be affected. A separate Bangkok Post headline suggests arrivals won't be hit this year, though no details were given.
What happens next
The government prioritises tourist safety. Surasak said he would hold talks with Chinese authorities to agree measures that address their concerns, so further measures may follow.
What this means for tourists
- The risk is concentrated on people recruited abroad with job offers, not on ordinary holidaymakers.
- Be wary of unsolicited job offers that lead to travel in Thailand, and of transport arranged by others (the advisory's wording).
- Use licensed or self-arranged transport, and ask for help at checkpoints or by phone if something feels wrong.
Information sourced from Bangkok Post.