TAK, Jan 7 (TNA) – Missing Chinese actor Xingxing has been found near Thailand’s border town of Mae Sot, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Tuesday, ending a multi-agency search that raised concerns about human trafficking and tourism safety.
“We have located Xingxing near the Mae Sot border area in Tak province. Region 6 Police are standing by to receive him,” Paetongtarn said.
Initial reports indicate he claims he crossed the border to visit relatives.
The actor’s disappearance had sparked widespread social media speculation about safety concerns in Thailand, prompting the prime minister to address its potential impact on tourism, a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.
The Digital Economy Ministry would help address the spread of rumors on social media, she said.
The incident has highlighted broader security concerns about transnational crime networks operating in Thailand. The prime minister said his government is working closely with Chinese authorities to combat various criminal activities, including fraud and call center scams.
Xingxing had vanished on January 3 after arriving at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for what was purported to be an entertainment industry opportunity.
Chinese actor Wang Xing aks Xingxing vanished near the Thai-Myanmar border after arriving in Thailand for what was claimed to be an entertainment industry casting opportunity, authorities said.
Immigration records show he entered Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport on January 3. He was last tracked in a grey Toyota Altis passing through Mae Sot district in Tak province, with his final GPS signal detected near the border around 11 AM the same day.
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand has requested assistance in locating the actor, whose girlfriend believes he was lured by promises of high-paying acting work.
Thai police believe Xingxing may have crossed into Myanmar through unofficial border channels, as there is no record of his official departure from Thailand.
While initial police reports suggest he went voluntarily, the case has raised human trafficking concerns, prompting a multi-agency investigation. -819 (TNA)
