reader Posted January 8 Posted January 8 From Pattaya News On January 7th, 2025, Thai authorities successfully rescued Chinese actor Wang Xing, also known as XingXing, who had been trafficked to Myanmar after disappearing from Mae Sot, Tak, on January 3rd. Wang Xing, renowned for his roles in popular Chinese action films and romantic comedies, was reportedly lured to Thailand with promises of a legitimate acting contract. However, he was instead forced into scammer training across the border. The ordeal began when Xing was contacted via WeChat by fellow Chinese individuals posing as representatives of a well-known Thai entertainment company. Believing the offer was genuine, he traveled to Thailand and was transported to Mae Sot. From there, he was smuggled across the border by local operatives. Upon arriving in Myanmar, Xing realized he had been deceived but was too fearful to resist, according to the police. Thai authorities, responding to a plea for help from Xing’s girlfriend, Jia Jia, launched an extensive operation. Surveillance uncovered that Xing had been taken to a remote compound run by a trafficking network. Officials coordinated with local ethnic groups to secure his release. During the rescue, it was revealed that Xing was held with over 50 Chinese nationals, many undergoing forced training to conduct online scams. It is unclear what happened to the other Chinese nationals. Thai investigators determined the trafficking ring was orchestrated by Chinese nationals targeting their compatriots. Xing was handed over to immigration police for screening before being repatriated through the Chinese embassy. No Thai nationals were actually involved in the operation, said Thai investigators. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/01/08/thai-police-save-chinese-actor-wang-xing-from-alleged-human-trafficking-network-in-myanmar/ khaolakguy and KeepItReal 1 1 Quote
khaolakguy Posted January 8 Posted January 8 It seems like an awful lot of effort to recruit one extra scammer! Quote
Moses Posted January 8 Posted January 8 14 minutes ago, reader said: Officials coordinated with local ethnic groups to secure his release. During the rescue, it was revealed that Xing was held with over 50 Chinese nationals, many undergoing forced training to conduct online scams. It is unclear what happened to the other Chinese nationals. Thai investigators determined the trafficking ring was orchestrated by Chinese nationals targeting their compatriots. Xing was handed over to immigration police for screening before being repatriated through the Chinese embassy. No Thai nationals were actually involved in the operation, said Thai investigators. Is this Barry's work again? The news suggests that the Thai police were working illegally in Myanmar. And if they weren't working, then they weren't saving this actor, but rather the Myanmar people hired by his girlfriend were saving him, and the Thai police simply helped track the actor's path through Thailand, and are now loudly trumpeting their success. floridarob 1 Quote
khaolakguy Posted January 8 Posted January 8 16 minutes ago, Moses said: Is this Barry's work again? The news suggests that the Thai police were working illegally in Myanmar. And if they weren't working, then they weren't saving this actor, but rather the Myanmar people hired by his girlfriend were saving him, and the Thai police simply helped track the actor's path through Thailand, and are now loudly trumpeting their success. If you are interested I suggest you actually read the article where you can see the details and the byline(no it isn't Barry) and then you also wouldn't make the assumptions above. I'm no particular advocate for the journalism of the Pattaya Mail, but, credit where it is due, they do sometimes bring us news stories that we wouldn't have otherwise come across. And thanks to reader for sharing them. reader 1 Quote
Moses Posted January 8 Posted January 8 Why do I need this? I am not a fan of either the Chinese actor or the Thai police. I make "assumptions" based on the text that the topic starter offered to the forum users. If the text does not accurately reflect the real state of affairs, then this speaks to the quality of the citation. Quote
reader Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 Barry Kenyon writes some noteworthy stuff and keeps a popular Pattaya news site going. I believe he has been fair and objective in the reporting of gay related issues. His background in the British diplomatic corps gives him a wealth of knowledge and contacts. In 22 years, I've haven't experienced any issues involving the Thai police. IMO, they exercise admiral restraint in dealing with disruptive individuals. KeepItReal 1 Quote
reader Posted January 9 Author Posted January 9 From VN Express Rescued actor describes life in scam call center According to a report by Xinjing Bao on Wednesday, Wang shared his ordeal after Thai police rescued him and returned him to Bangkok. He explained that a job advertisement he saw late last year prompted him to travel to Thailand to explore a new opportunity. He arrived in the country on Jan. 3, with a visa valid through March 3, and stayed at a hotel on Phuket Island. From Phuket, a job brokerage company transported him to Chai Nat, a central Thai province, and subsequently to Mae Sot, a district in the northern province of Tak, located along the Thai-Myanmar border. Soon after, Wang lost contact with his relatives and girlfriend. He recounted that after being forcibly taken across a river, he found himself in Myanmar, where armed individuals ushered him into a vehicle and then into a house occupied by at least 50 other Chinese nationals, as well as people from various countries. Wang described a disturbing initiation process where everyone was forced to shave their heads and undergo scamming training through text messaging over three days, though they had not yet started training him for phone scams. "It was a horrifying experience," he expressed. "I was extremely terrified and worried that I might never escape." Wang believes he fell victim to a scam that exploited the reputation of a major entertainment company. Hongxing News reported that Thai police have determined Wang was a victim of human trafficking, and he may return to China within the next couple of days. His lawyer stated: "He is safe and preparing to go home. We cannot discuss further details at this time." Meanwhile, Wang’s girlfriend Jia Jia announced on social media today that she has reunited with him. She is being commended for her bravery and astute response in handling the situation, having successfully located the right address to secure help, ensuring Wang’s safe return. Sinchew reported that the owner of the labor brokerage company involved was arrested on charges related to orchestrating Wang’s kidnapping. The Actors Committee of the China Federation of Radio and Television Association is now urging actors and management companies to exercise caution with overseas job offers and thoroughly vet the nature of the work and the inviting entity. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/life/celebrities/ip-man-actor-wang-xing-says-criminals-instructed-him-in-scamming-techniques-during-myanmar-kidnapping-4837472.html Quote
