Days after a Chinese actor was rescued from a human trafficking ring operating through Thailand, safety concerns among Chinese tourists are causing mass trip cancellations, with some travel agencies reporting high rates ahead of the Lunar New Year, a peak travel season.

A travel platform insider told the Shanghai-based news outlet The Paper that their agency has seen about 30% of bookings scrapped over the past week. And the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) estimates a 10–20% drop in Chinese tourist arrivals during the upcoming Lunar New Year, potentially costing the Thai tourism industry up to 5 billion baht ($144 million).

As of Monday, round-trip flights from Shanghai to Bangkok during the Spring Festival had dropped from 4,000 yuan ($550) to around 2,500 yuan.

The cancellations were triggered by the high-profile case of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who disappeared on Jan. 3 near the Thai-Myanmar border after being lured by a fraudulent casting offer. Thai authorities confirmed that he had been detained by Myanmar’s Border Guard Force and later rescued and returned to Thailand following coordination between the two countries.

Though Wang was safely rescued, the incident has heightened safety concerns among Chinese travelers. On Jan. 11, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a notice warning citizens to beware of “high-salary recruitment” traps and not to trust false promises such as “high-paying jobs” or “covered flight tickets and accommodation.” The embassy urged vigilance to prevent further victims of scams.

The high-profile case, which drew outcry and widespread debate on Chinese social media platforms, has also disrupted major public events.

On Jan. 10, the organizer of Hong Kong superstar Eason Chan’s Bangkok concert, scheduled for Feb. 22, cited safety concerns for attendees from China and other regions as the reason for its cancellation. Similarly, renowned Chinese skit and sitcom actor Zhao Benshan announced that the Chinese New Year Comedy Show, also planned for Feb. 22 in Bangkok, would be postponed due to force majeure and safety considerations.

The impact extends beyond Thailand. According to The Paper, the issue has influenced public opinion across Southeast Asia, prompting some travelers to forgo bookings entirely and others to cancel existing reservations. Even popular cruise lines operating in Southeast Asia, which had recently seen a rise in demand, are now struggling with cancellations and resuming ticket sales for vacant slots.

A spokesperson for the Chinese travel agency Suicheng Travel’s Chengdu branch told Sixth Tone that flights, hotels, and other services arranged through their agency will proceed as scheduled under current cancellation policies. She added that unless a “force majeure” event triggers no-fee cancellations, guests who choose to cancel must follow standard refund rules and may incur fees.

Some travelers are choosing to cancel despite the financial penalties. Shanghai resident Liu Xiaohong had reserved flights and hotels to Bangkok for the Spring Festival but decided to cancel after consulting with her parents, resulting in a loss of 2,000 yuan. Liu emphasized safety as her top priority and said she plans to visit Thailand at a later time, opting to spend the holiday in Hong Kong instead.

“I have visited Thailand before and truly enjoyed it. Although the likelihood of such incidents happening to me is low, I prefer not to take any risks,” Liu said.

On Saturday, Thailand’s tourism authority issued a statement on the microblogging platform Weibo, emphasizing its commitment to tourist safety. The agency said it is working closely with government bodies and private enterprises to enhance convenience and protection for all visitors to the country.

Since the reciprocal visa exemption agreement between China and Thailand took effect in March last year, travel between the two countries has flourished. In 2024, Thailand welcomed 6.73 million Chinese visitors, and projections for 2025 estimated at least 7 million arrivals, according to the Bangkok Post.

Wang’s case is part of a larger wave of cross-border scams targeting Chinese citizens in Southeast Asia, which has drawn significant attention from Chinese authorities. In recent years, joint operations between China and neighboring countries such as Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia have led to the arrests of thousands of cyberscam suspects.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, these operations have solved over 270 major cases and uncovered sophisticated criminal networks involving fake investment schemes and other fraudulent activities in 2023. Officials have warned that these scams are becoming increasingly industrialized, often involving long criminal chains that span multiple countries.

Additional reporting: Yang Yuchen; editor: Apurva.

(Header image: Wang Xing (right) with Thai police officers in Mae Sot district, near the Thai-Myanmar border, Tak province, Thailand, Jan. 7, 2025. The Royal Thai Police/VCG)