By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng BANGKOK - Thailand's visa waiver programme for Chinese nationals has come under scrutiny after the high-profile alleged kidnapping of a Chinese actor and similar crimes stoked worries over tourism and security.

A video of Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that claim it shows Paetongtarn saying she is ready to rescue Chinese citizens from Myanmar if Beijing gives the order.

We are all vulnerable to the rapid spread of phone scams – including, it seems, world leaders. Thailand’s prime minister has revealed she got a call from an AI system, demanding money in the voice of another famous head of government.

Chinese tourists are expressing fears about traveling to Thailand – with some cancelling their trips – following the high-profile case of a Chinese actor’s abduction to a Myanmar scam call center.

Indonesia has sought help from the Thai military to repatriate two migrant workers who are stuck in Myanmar. “We are carrying out diplomatic approach

Regime says criminal border syndicates are supplied by neighboring country, while civilian National Unity Government pledges international cooperation to eradicate call center gangs.

Scammers under leading telecom fraud syndicates in north Myanmar are handed over to Chinese custody, on January 30, 2024. Photo: VCG. A senior officials' meeting on Lancang-Mekong

News of the joint crime-fighting effort comes after top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi urges Asean countries to crack down on cross-border fraud.

Efforts are being ramped up to eliminate scam centers, human trafficking, and drug smuggling along the Thai-Myanmar border

The rampant telecom fraud in northern and eastern Myanmar has recently made headlines again following the rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing who claimed to have fallen into a scam park after being brought to Myawaddy,

The Karen State Border Guard Force, under pressure from Bangkok and Beijing, says it will join efforts to break up crime gangs operating along the Thai border.

Thailand last year helped facilitate the transfer of some 900 Chinese nationals who had been trapped in scam centres in Myawaddy back to their country. Sign up here. Asia Pacificcategory South ...