Thai PM to visit Beijing tomorrow, focus on scams and air pollution

Top of the agenda, when Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra begins her official visit to China tomorrow, will be the strengthening of cooperation on tackling scams and air pollution.

Paetongtarn will depart Bangkok for Beijing tomorrow afternoon.

During her four-day official visit, she will hold meetings with the Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

On Thursday, Paetongtarn and the Chinese leaders will discuss ways to combat scam operations, which have been active along the Thai-Myanmar border for years.

The issue gained widespread attention when popular Chinese actor Wang Xing was lured by scammers to Myanmar via Thailand for a supposed Thai TV series casting.

Initially reported missing, he was subsequently located in Myanmar. Although he was rescued, Thailand faced criticism over safety, leading to a decline in Chinese tourist arrivals.

In response to these concerns, Beijing twice assigned Liu Zhongyi, from China’s Public Security Ministry, to visit Thailand to meet with Thai ministers and discuss cooperation on addressing the problem.

He also visited Chiang Rai province and was seen at the Thai-Myanmar border, opposite the areas reportedly used as bases for scam operations.

Rumours spread on Thai social media that Liu had criticised Thai authorities for their incompetence in cracking down on scammers.

Today, however, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura flatly denied these claims, saying he had checked with all relevant parties, including the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and found the statements to be groundless, adding “I urge those spreading these rumours to stop.”

Paetongtarn will also meet with Thai and Chinese business executives to promote trade and investment and her visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.

She will also travel to Harbin, in northern China, to attend the opening ceremony of the ninth Asian Winter Games in 2025.