Thailand under pressure to revise Chinese tourists’ visa-free travel to combat crime
Thai senator urges roll-out of visa-on-arrival initiative for Chinese tourists that will require them to give details of their travel itinerary
The Thai government has come under increasing pressure to tweak its visa-free policy for Chinese visitors to combat transnational crime rings run by mainlanders in a bid to protect the tourism-dependent kingdom’s image.
Last year, Thailand expanded the scheme to holidaymakers from 93 countries and territories, including China, allowing them to stay for up to 60 days.
But Senator Wanchai Ekpornpichit said the measure to capitalise on the post-pandemic travel rush had created a lucrative opportunity for Chinese gangs that targeted their compatriots with scams and kidnappings, raising safety concerns among Chinese tourists and prompting sightseers to shun the destination known for its pristine beaches.
Scam compounds have sprung up along Thailand’s porous border with Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos where trafficked workers are forced into crime ranging from dodgy investment schemes to illegal gambling and cryptocurrency fraud.
Cybercriminals raked in US$37 billion in 2023 despite enhanced law enforcement efforts, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in a report last year.
Wanchai urged the government to plug immigration loopholes by rolling out a visa-on-arrival initiative for Chinese tourists that would require them to furnish details of their travel itinerary.
