Chinese President Xi Jinping thanked visiting Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Thursday for the “strong measures” her country has taken against scam centres targeting Chinese people.
Scam compounds have mushroomed along the Thai-Myanmar borderlands, staffed by trafficked foreigners who are forced to swindle their compatriots in an industry analysts say is worth billions.
A number of Chinese citizens have been rescued from the compounds, prompting fears among tourists that they could be kidnapped next.
China is a hugely important market for Thailand as it seeks to rebuild its tourism sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While meeting the Thai prime minister in Beijing, Xi said: “China appreciates the strong measures taken by Thailand to combat online gambling and phone and online scams,” state broadcaster CCTV reported.
“The two sides must continue to strengthen cooperation in security, law enforcement and judicial cooperation” in order to “protect. . .
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