STORY: Thailand vows to curb human trafficking after Chinese actor's rescue, says senior officer
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 9, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 10, 2025
LENGTH: 00:05:19
LOCATION: Bangkok
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Thai police headquarters
2. various of surveillance footage of Chinese actor Wang Xing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok
3. various of Thai-Myanmar border
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General
5. various of Wang Xing after rescue
6. various of Thai-Myanmar border
7. SOUNDBITE 2 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General
8. various of Thai-Myanmar border
9. SOUNDBITE 3 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General
10. various of Thai-Myanmar border
11. SOUNDBITE 4 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General

STORYLINE:

The Thai Police are intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking networks after a successful rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was identified as a victim of such operations and is expected to return to China on Friday, said a senior official.
   
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Thursday, Thailand's Senior Inspector General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot shared details about the Chinese actor's rescue work.
   
The investigation revealed that Wang had received a job offer and traveled to Thailand, where he was picked up by a vehicle arranged by his "recruiter" after arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Jan. 3, 2025.
   
Wang took photos of the vehicle's license plate and key landmarks on the way, sending them to his girlfriend in China, Thatchai said, adding that Wang didn't realize that he might have been deceived until he was brought across a river into rural Myanmar and found himself landed in a raw environment where there were no recreational facilities at all.
   
According to a timeline revealed by the Tak immigration office on Tuesday, Wang entered Thailand at around 3:16 a.m. local time on Jan. 3 and left Suvarnabhumi Airport by car at 3:40 a.m., passing through Chainat and Kamphaeng Phet provinces before losing contact at around 11:00 a.m. in Mae Sot, Tak province.
   
The immigration office confirmed that Wang was put in another vehicle in Mae Sot and that there was no evidence of his passage through the official point of entry connecting Thailand and Myanmar.
   
Thatchai mentioned that various technical means were employed to track Wang's location after authorities were requested for assistance.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General
"We quickly obtained relevant information in the case of Wang Xing.
Wang Xing's route from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Mae Sot District was clear and direct.
There were no stopovers along the way, and the destination was a direct route to the border, enabling us to swiftly carry out our tracking operation.
We subsequently located the driver, which allowed us to determine Wang Xing's exact crossing point at the border. With this information in hand, we were able to act promptly.
We would take similar swift actions in every case as long as we could receive timely information like this."

Regarding other potential cases, Thatchai affirmed that the police would provide assistance under the legal process when requested.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General
"However, some cases are more complex. For instance, when vehicles, personnel, or directions are deliberately changed to evade police tracking, it becomes significantly more challenging."

The official advised Chinese visitors to remain vigilant regarding job offers in neighboring countries, especially for those transiting through Thailand to a third country, so as to avoid falling victim to scam syndicates.
   
SOUNDBITE 3 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General
"If you are asked to work in neighboring countries of Thailand, such as Myanmar, Laos, or Cambodia, regardless of the type of job, you must be vigilant to avoid becoming a victim of human trafficking.
This is because we have discovered that these areas are home to numerous scam syndicates."

Thai authorities will prioritize cross-border cooperation and preventative measures, including educating people about the risks of traveling to third-party countries under false pretenses and the dangers of human trafficking, Thatchai added.
   
SOUNDBITE 4 (Thai): THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, Thailand's Senior Inspector General
"Due to the convenience of travel routes, victims often pass through Thailand before reaching their destination countries.
I believe combating such scams requires enhanced international cooperation. Coordinated efforts among multiple countries to raise awareness and educate the public should be undertaken.
We must remind people of the risks of traveling to a third country and becoming victims of human trafficking."

To address the issue comprehensively, an urgent meeting is scheduled for next week, where Thai government officials will discuss strategies to intercept potential victims and disrupt trafficking networks, Thatchai said.
   
A Chinese citizen surnamed Wang has been successfully rescued, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand said on Tuesday, while expressing gratitude to the Thai government and other relevant parties for their efforts and effective work in this regard.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bangkok, Thailand.
(XHTV)